MINI enthusiasts will be treated to a world debut this weekend when Rover gives them a sneak preview of the new Mini in its final production form. The car is still undergoing final tests, and will not go into production at Rover's Longbridge plant until 2001.

This weekend at the 40th anniversary celebrations of the Mini at Silverstone, about 70,000 visitors will be given a sneak static preview of the vehicle - last seen in final concept form on the eve of the 1997 Frankfurt Motor Show at a private press briefing.