Mini and the Art of Ruining a Birthday
- Published on 26/02/2026 10:59
- Modified on 26/02/2026 11:00
Between inconsistent timing and lack of technical ambition, the Mini 1965 Victory Edition does not hit the mark.
In the world of automotive marketing, we knew the art of stretching a story, but Mini has just invented the time machine… halfway. By announcing today, in February 2026, the release of its “1965 Victory Edition,” the British brand seems to have a serious timing issue.
Why on earth release this special edition now? If the goal was to celebrate Timo Mäkinen’s legendary victory in Monte Carlo, logic would dictate that the festivities should have taken place in 2025 for the 60th anniversary. Arriving in May 2026 to celebrate 61 years since a championship seems like an admission of unpreparedness or, worse, a desperate attempt to occupy media space a year late. We are still searching for the strategic relevance behind this shaky timing.
Surface cosmetics
On the technical side, move along, there’s nothing to see. Under the hood, the John Cooper Works versions (both thermal and electric) have not gained a single horsepower. We are sold a “reincarnated legend,” but the effort amounts to pure aesthetic tinkering. The list of modifications is frustratingly lazy: a sticker with the number “52” that has no connection to the style of the time, a fake relief license plate on the hood, and a few “1965” badges on the keys. Is this how we honor the revolutionary agility of the original Cooper S?
The gap with the 1965 ancestor is staggering. At that time, the Mini was the “Giant Killer,” a 635 kg little bug that humiliated V8s with its mechanical genius. Today, the electric version approaches 1,600 kg. Invoking the memory of a stripped-down rebel to sell a status fashion accessory, loaded with OLED screens and sanitized 258 hp, is a historical misunderstanding.
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It’s truly a shame. Instead of offering a radical, lighter, or optimized version, MINI is settling for an exercise in decoration. This “Victory Edition” is not a tribute to motorsport; it’s a late merchandising operation. A legend deserves better than stickers and specific valve caps.
READ ALSO: 66 years ago, the world discovered the Mini
This page is translated from the original post "Mini et l’art de gâcher un anniversaire" in French.
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