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It has long been thought that there is not a niche that MINI hasn't explored. The German owned British brand offers hatchbacks, convertibles, coupés, roadsters and even a van. But surely a move into the nautical world is a niche too far?
Not according to MINI, which unveiled a MINI Cooper Convertible 'Boat' at the Dad Vail Regatta in Philadelphia in the USA. The regatta is an inter-college boat race, akin to the Oxford - Cambridge race that takes place each year. For 2013, the Dad Vail Regatta attracted 35,000 visitors to witness 3,700 rowers from 127 universities and colleges competing in 150 races along the six-lane, 2,000-metre Olympic length course. Far too much exposure for MINI to turn down!
The MINI Cooper Convertible 'Boat' is not actually a MINI but a fibreglass body that has been mounted onto a boat hull and is powered by an outboard motor, but the boat was set up in such a way that the wheels rotated while on water to give the illusion of the car driving.
Constructed by ACI Composites in Pennsylvania the MINI Cooper Convertible 'Boat' does feature authentic MINI parts such as the headlamps, rear lights and the grille.
We still think MINI missed an opportunity by not dubbing the boat the MINI Yachtsman.