ALLGBMINI

My first post in a long time, and introducing what will perhaps be my next MINI – the Black Knight edition MINI, which in USA at least will be very rare and only available as a Countryman. I first learned of this special edition MINI back in December, when I discovered that I’d missed press releases as long ago as October 2013:
[MINI USA] informs us … the nearly $5K package is the Frozen Black exterior finish, black headlight treatments, an anthracite headliner, a flat-load floor, Carbon Black leather upholstery, and what Mini describes as “some special accessories.” One Mini dealership we spoke to indicated that Black Knight Edition Countrymans will come de-badged, and that buyers will have a choice of six-speed manual or automatic transmissions, as well as front- or ALL4 all-wheel drive … Magna Steyr will handle paintwork at its facility in Graz, Austria, where the Countryman and Paceman are assembled. The labor-intensive process involved in applying the color is a factor in the limited production numbers”

I discovered that my new local MINI dealership, Orlando, was to receive one car, and it hadn’t been sold – so I put a deposit on it. And today, I learned that the car had arrived, so went over to check out the “frozen” paint finish:

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The car is factory spec’ed with automatic transmission, MINI Connect with Navigation, and many other features – but sadly is missing Sirius radio and the HK upgraded stereo. I’m waiting on some final details from the dealership, but it’s possible that this car might soon replace my BMW X3!

MINI Corporate Communications press release:
Highlight in matt: MINI now with exclusive Frozen Black metallic paint finish.
Striking body colour available in limited edition for the MINI Countryman and the MINI Paceman – elaborate surface treatment highlights the powerful proportions of the two models.

MINI is extending its program of exterior paint finishes for current models to include an exclusive new variant. Frozen Black metallic paint is now available as a limited edition colour for the top of the range MINI Countryman and MINI Paceman models.
This innovative paint which has a textured, shimmering matt finish, gives the car a striking and expressive appearance. The new colour and finish is available for the MINI Cooper S Countryman, MINI Cooper SD Countryman, MINI Cooper S Paceman, MINI Cooper SD Paceman, MINI John Cooper Works Countryman and MINI John Cooper Works Paceman.
[in USA, only the MINI Cooper S Countryman is being made available]

The Frozen Black metallic paint finish is created using a complex manufacturing process exclusive to the BMW Group. This special painting procedure, which involves not just innovative technology but also a high level of manual craftsmanship, is now being applied for the first time by Austrian production partner Magna Steyr in Graz where the MINI Paceman and MINI Countryman are produced. The special surface treatment encompasses the base layer for grip and corrosion protection, the colour layer as well as the clear lacquer finish which has added silicates to create the matted impression as well as the velvet effect which can be seen and felt.

Attached exterior parts such as the model-specific front and rear aprons and the exterior mirror caps are finished separately in the paint finish Frozen Black metallic. Due to the labour intensive process used to apply this exclusive body colour during production it is limited to a restricted number of cars.
Frozen Black metallic is of the same high quality as the other paint finishes available for MINI in terms of abrasion resistance and colour fidelity. The finish is completely weather resistant and car wash resistant, however hand washing does require special care as spot cleaning of the surface using wax or polish can leave an unwanted gloss effect. For this reason the BMW Group offers care products developed specially for treating the Frozen Black metallic paint finish.