Host: Dale Blankenship | Producer: Kodi Monster (silent but deadly… cute)

This week on The Cooper Cast, Dale dives headfirst into MINI’s latest attempt at fashion-forward motoring… and let’s just say the results are about as exciting as a beige wall in a blackout.

First up: the new Paul Smith Edition MINI Cooper — the long-anticipated, high-fashion collab with the legendary British designer himself. Sounds colorful, right? Well… not so much. Turns out when you think “Paul Smith,” you might expect bold, bright stripes and high-impact flair. But MINI (or Paul?) said, “Nah, how about white, grey, or black… with a hint of army Jeep green?” Because apparently, camouflage and fashion week are the new power couple. Dale has thoughts. Oh, he has thoughts.

Then we take a trip to Thailand — figuratively, of course — to check out the Black Edition E-Challenge, MINI’s all-electric, blacked-out, mystery-spec limited edition. No performance numbers. No details. Just a whole lot of black paint and a name that sounds like a CrossFit competition for goths. Dale wonders aloud: is MINI just having fun, or are they slapping stickers on everything that moves to keep interest up in the 2-door hatch? Either way, it's a cool car, just shrouded in more secrecy than the Colonel’s chicken recipe.

And of course, it wouldn’t be an episode without the Cooper Cast Question of the Week, with some spooky straggler submissions left over from Halloween. We’ll just say the ghosts of MINI owners past may or may not make an appearance — along with a few comments that’ll make you laugh louder than a cold start on a JCW in a quiet neighborhood.

So whether you're into designer decals or black-on-black stealth mode, grab your favorite beverage, settle into that Recaro seat, and join us for Episode 96.

As always, Motor Safely… and don’t forget to wave!

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First up Paul Smith Edition:

https://www.carscoops.com/2025/10/mini-plays-fashionista-with-new-paul-smith-edition/

And another article:

https://www.brandsuntapped.com/mini-and-paul-smith-to-launch-the-mini-paul-smith-edition-in-2026/

And the Black Edition E-Challenge for Thailand. 

If. you can read Thai writing, great. If not, just look at the pics. Sharp Car!

https://thailandinsidenew.com/2025/10/31/mini-black-edition-e-challenge-68/