Hmm, that is an interesting observation Sunny -- you might have a point there.

Funny thing is though, I still think the Mini feels British -- I guess it is all down to personal perceptions.

It really wouldn't matter much - except that "Britishness" (whatever that is) has long been part of the whole Rolls-Royce myth.

Rolls-Royce is not just another car brand (even if in reality that is precisely what it is); It is intrinsically entrenched in our popular culture as the world's most famous symbol of power and wealth; But there are a litany of other metaphysical associations attached to it also (both positive and negative) -- I struggle to think of many other trademarks in the world that are so universally evocative on so many levels.