by Gabrielle DeSantis

Honey, I shrunk the EV. Rather, the Mini Strip shrunk the EV to show what the BMW-owned brand is capable of in the realm of sustainability. It’s no secret automakers are looking to make that transition to EVs, and recent infrastructure plans from the White House further legitimize that change. Moreover, the whole thing has been handled in a very typically Mini way, with plenty of distinctive style. In order to do that, the brand hired designer Paul Smith to help out.

The Mini Strip looks backwards and forwards

A lot of brands look to cash in on their “heritage” and “provenance” with their designs. I mean, look at the new Aventador-based Lamborghini Countach. It is, for all intents and purposes, an Aventador. However, Lamborghini will sell approximately, well, all of the ones they build. Simply because of that name. That said, few do such a good job of leaning on their history as Mini. The British, German-run brand has long been a “car for the people.”

They’re (comparatively) cheap, small, cars that borrow tremendously from the styling and ethos of the car you see above. Frankly, that’s why the Mini is such a good fit for EV adoption. It’s the people’s car, and the people are going electric. The people want sustainability, and the Mini Strip just showed that the brand can deliver on that.

Heavy use of renewables is key for our future

So, let’s talk a little about the sustainability-leaning Mini Strip concept. First, the outside. Per Mini, swaths of the vehicle are 3D printed from recycled plastic. Moreover, designer Paul Smith has elected to leave the body panels unpainted. Waste not want not, I suppose. The theme of recycling continues around the car, too. Those wheel covers you see, as well as the glass roof, are made from recycled Perspex.

Honestly, the interior is the best part. I’m a sucker for a clean interior. My ADHD means my mind is busy enough without all the visual noise in some newer cars. The seats, for example, are completely recyclable, trimmed in cloth. Mini is keen to point out that the interior is devoid of any leather or chrome. Both are known to cause pollution, and that would kind of defeat the purpose wouldn’t it? Finally, the dash looks like the inside of a wine bottle for a reason. It’s made from recycled cork, though I could do without the iPhone glued to the dash.

Are automakers doing all they can? Are we?

With the introduction of the Mini Strip, the brand has made it clear where its future lies. Mini has joined several other automakers in pledging to go all-electric by 2030. It’s a common target within the industry, and it’s good to see Mini take some steps to help mitigate climate change. Now, we need to focus on infrastructure to support our transition to EVs and continue to try and do more for our planet.

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by Gabrielle DeSantis

Bugatti, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Rolls-Royce – these brands make up some of the most expensive car brands. They’re also exactly the type of vehicles that you would expect the world’s richest celebrities to drive. But, as it turns out, not all of the world’s richest celebrities are dropping upwards of six figures on their cars. In fact, according to U.S. News & World Report, many of the world’s most famous celebrities have driven some pretty cheap cars. 

Leonardo DiCaprio is worth $260 million and drives a cheap car

Leonardo DiCaprio is a renaissance man. He’s worked as an actor, producer and is one of the world’s most passionate environmental activists. The American actor is also worth $260 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. With so much money to burn, you might expect Leo to drive a six-figure car. But, as it turns out, that’s not the case at all.

While Leonardo DiCaprio’s car collection has included some pretty expensive cars, Leo’s cheapest car is his beloved Toyota Prius. According to AutoBizz, the actor loved his Prius so much that he has since bought more of them for his family members. 

And if you want to be just like Leo? Buying a 2022 Toyota Prius will run you between $24,525 and $32,820. Further, consider that the Toyota Prius delivers an EPA-estimated 54 mpg in the city and 50 mpg on the highway, and it’s no wonder Leonardo DiCaprio found himself lusting after this eco-friendly hybrid.

Justin Timberlake runs his errands in a 2002 Volkswagen Jetta

While you might not think so, Justin Timberlake is just like us. Kind of. After all, he is one of the world’s richest celebrities and is well-known for not only bringing sexy back but also throwback hits like Bye Bye Bye, Tearin’ Up My Heart, and Cry Me a River.

As for what Justin Timberlake drives? Well, this is where things get interesting because, as it turns out, the celebrity drives one of the cheapest cars. In fact, way back in 2002, Justin Timberlake treated himself to a new Volkswagen Jetta. While the Volkswagen Jetta might seem like an unusual choice for the NSYNC lead singer, Timberlake told GQ that he’s chosen to hold onto the car after all these years because it’s perfect for running errands.

Timberlake isn’t wrong, either. Take, for example, the 2021 Volkswagen Jetta. It offers seating for up to five people. This year’s model also features 14.1 cubic feet of cargo space, which isn’t all that bad considering the Volkswagen Jetta is a new sedan.

NBA superstar LeBron James owned a 2010 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited

While NBA superstar LeBron James is among the world’s richest celebrities, once upon a time, he also drove one of the cheapest cars. In fact, according to U.S. News & World Report, just a few years ago, the NBA superstar was the proud owner of an orange 2010 Jeep Wrangler. As it turns out, however, LeBron James did sell his Wrangler. 

The second owner tried to auction it off too. In fact, Cleveland.com reports that the owner of the NBA player’s used Jeep Wrangler attempted to auction it off in 2014. Unfortunately for the Jeep’s current owner, the SUV didn’t meet its $50,000 reserve price. Meaning, they got to hold on to the famed NBA player’s off-road SUV.

The world’s highest-paid actor drives a Ford F-150 truck

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is currently the world’s highest-paid actor. In fact, according to USA Today, Dwayne Johnson has topped Forbes’ list of the highest-paid actors two times. With so much money to his name, $400 million to be exact, you might expect The Rock to drive a ridiculously expensive car. Well, guess again.

While Dwayne Johnson is the proud owner of several high-end cars, he also owns one of the cheapest cars: a Ford F-150 truck. Though, according to U.S. News & World Report, the former wrestling champ did customize his F-150, so chances are it’s not quite as cheap as you would think.

But if you want to live just like The Rock? Buying a 2021 Ford F-150 will cost you between $29,290 and $64,145. And if you want to customize your F-150? Not to worry. The possibilities are nearly endless.

These world-famous celebrities drive some of the cheapest cars

Celebrities are known for raking in the dough. But these celebrities? While they might be among the world’s richest celebrities, there’s no denying that they drive some of the cheapest cars.

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