I also heard that it was going to be made when the new bugs came out, but that BMW caught wind of it, and threatened to sue because of some rights they had to it. The also gave 32 minis to the film. Odd being that 32/3 is not even, but I'm sure there were less red Ss given than the other colors. Also the cars in the subway are the only electric MINIs on the planet. No Combustable engine allowd down there... I also wonder why they gave one S and 2 coopers? Maybe beacuase they wanted to represent both types and it is cheaper to give 2 coops to every one S.

From the italian job website:

"Though audiences will see only three MINIs -- one red, one white and one blue --filming the escape with the gold during the height of rush hour traffic in Los Angeles took 32 MINIs. Because of the elaborate stunts in the sequences, some of the cars were rigged for jumps"

Ben