Exclusive MINI Cooper by Elie Saab Blends Couture and Performance

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MINI has once again turned to the world of fashion for its latest design collaboration. For the 2025 amfAR Gala in Salzburg, BMW Austria partnered with Lebanese designer Elie Saab to create a one-off MINI Cooper S that blends haute couture with MINI’s design language while supporting amfAR’s ongoing fight against HIV/AIDS.

The car itself is based on the new F66 Cooper S, powered by BMW’s B48 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder producing 204 hp. In this case, the mechanicals remain untouched. What sets this car apart is the finish and the interior, where Saab’s eye for detail transforms the hatch into something closer to wearable art than a mass-produced car.

The exterior wears a custom metallic gradient that fades from liquid copper through soft bronze to a subtle nude, giving the car a sculptural quality that changes depending on the light. The 18-inch slide-spoke wheels carry a satin finish with the Elie Saab logo etched into their surface, a small but intentional touch that links the car directly to the designer’s studio.

Inside, Saab specified brown leather throughout the seats and door panels, quilted with his monogram. The collaboration goes further than visuals, though. MINI worked with Saab to integrate his fragrance “Golden,” developed with Culti Milano, into the cabin. A small leather-wrapped cushion near the steering wheel releases the scent of bitter orange and cedarwood, creating a multisensory atmosphere that makes this car unlike any other MINI.

While much of the focus is on aesthetics, the purpose of the car is just as important. The MINI by Elie Saab was created for auction at the Salzburg gala, with proceeds going directly to amfAR’s HIV/AIDS research programs. For BMW Austria and MINI, this continues a tradition of pairing fashion-inspired one-offs with philanthropic causes, using design to spark interest and raise funds.

The MINI by Elie Saab isn’t meant to preview production models or new options packages. Instead, it demonstrates how the brand can flex its design language in unexpected directions while aligning itself with cultural and philanthropic events. As a rolling one-off, it’s as much about the statement it makes in the ballroom as it is about the way it looks on the road.

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