Geneva 2013: MINI promotes further personalization with Bond Street, Hyde Park editions

By Davis Adams February 26, 2013

MINI Clubman Bond Street — Image used with permission by copyright holder

One of our favorite qualities about the MINI lineup is the brand’s belief in personalization. Want a Union Jack plastered on your roof? Go for it. Want different caps on each of your side mirrors? You got iy. And what about giant silver, no, black, wait, gunmetal wheels? Yeah, you can have those, too. So, it comes as no surprise to us that MINI plans to show off a slew of customized cars in Geneva.

This year at the Geneva Motor Show, MINI’s booth will be home to three new trims: the Clubman Bond Street, the Hyde Park and the Highgate Convertible. All three cars are designed to give off an aire of pomp and circumstance with a decidedly British kind of luxury. Think MINIs fit for the Queen, and we’re on the same page.

The Clubman Bond Street is done up in black and gold (MINI calls it “Cool Champagne”), and the car is fitted with black wheels, too. Inside, the dash is leather-wrapped, which is something we’ve only seen on the Rolls-Royce-designed Goodwood edition in the past. The seats are also trimmed in black leather with champagne piping, giving the Bond Street a slightly uppity, yet totally MINI vibe. The Hyde Park edition is available on both Clubman and standard Hardtop models, and wears many of the same features as the Bond Street, but in white.

On the other side of the floor will be the new Paceman, but in its JCW performance guise. Think of the Paceman as a two-door version of the company’s Countryman compact crossover, now available with the John Cooper Works package. JCW offers a new set of options to the new Paceman, ranging from turbo upgrades that boost the engine to 218 horsepower, custom paint, wheels, and several other go-fast goodies.

Check out our coverage of the Geneva Motor Show next week, where we’ll have more information on future MINI products.

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Whether you're talking about gadgets or cars, Davis always seems to prefer "next year's models." He's a neophile to the core…

Cars

Rivian R2 vs Hyundai Ioniq 5: Should you wait for the Rivian R2?

Rivian R2

Rivian has taken the wraps off of the Rivian R2, an electric SUV that's similar to the much-loved R1S, but smaller and, crucially, cheaper. But the R2 goes up against some serious competition. The likes of Hyundai have been building solid EVs for some time now -- including the Hyundai Ioniq 5.

The R2 and the Ioniq 5 each make a compelling case for themselves, and they're likely to end up being similarly priced if the Ioniq 5 doesn't get much cheaper and the R2 does end up being sold at $45,000. To be fair, the cars are pretty different -- the R2 is more of an SUV, while the Ioniq 5 is much more crossover-sized. But because of their similar price, you might be deciding between the two. How do they compare? We put the Rivian R2 and the Hyundai Ioniq 5 head-to-head.
Design
The differences between the Rivian R2 and the Hyundai Ioniq 5 are perhaps no more apparent than when it comes to design.

Cars

The 6 best remote car starters in 2024

Best car remote starters

While some modern vehicles come standard with remote start features, it's still relatively uncommon. That's a shame because if you live somewhere where cold weather, snow, and ice are frequent concerns, a remote car starter is one of the best auto accessories you can have. If you're not familiar with them, a remote car starter works similarly to a key fob, except it will actually start your car from a distance instead of just unlocking the doors or trunk. That means you can start your car from the warm comfort of your home or office before venturing out. If you live somewhere hot, you can even start your car and let the AC run for a little bit. You'll never enter a freezing cold or scorching hot vehicle again.

The best remote car starters have long ranges, replaceable batteries, and other handy features — but how do you know which is best for you? We’ve compiled a list of the best car starters in a range of prices and features. Keep in mind that while you can install some yourself, some will require a professional.
The best remote car starters in 2024

Cars

The best portable jump starters for cars in 2024

The Clore Jump-N-Carry JNC660 portable jump starter connected to a truck battery.

Any time you hit the road, whether you're taking a short or long trip, it's a good idea to have backups handy. A spare or backup tire, some anti-freeze, windshield wash fluid, a road hazard kit, and, last but not least, one of the best portable tire inflators and a portable jump starter. You never know when cold weather, inadvertently leaving the dome light on, or plain old Father Time can curse you with a dead battery. Ensure you have one of the best portable jump starters that can save you in a jam, kickstarting your car even when there isn't anyone around to jump the battery. Naturally, that's why we’ve rounded up what we feel are the best portable jump starters for 2024.
The best portable jump starters in 2024

Buy the if you want the best portable jump starter overall.
Buy the if you want the best portable jump starter runner-up.
Buy the if you want the best portable jump starter and tire inflator combo.
Buy the if you want another name-brand option.
Buy the if you want the best portable jump starter for cheap.