Now that the Frankfurt IAA is over and we’ve all had week or two to take in the new MINI Concept, I thought it might be appropriate to write a short design analysis on it. However I’d like to look beyond the initial impressions most of us have had and dive into what makes the concept a successful design study.
The MINI Frankfurt Concept is a tour de force of design and styling that pushes the envelope of what we expect in the MINI. There’s so much to take in that it’s frankly hard to be cohesive in an initial opinion (other than perhaps the very elemental feeling of shock and dislike when seeing something so familiar re-interpreted). However, like most well-executed automotive concept design, it’s a car that shocks and challenges initially, only to subtly impress with it’s form, design details and engineering upon further inspection. For me, the MINI Concept seems to make sense the more you see it.
But everyone seems to be asking… why light silver and white? Surely the MINI is all about cheekiness, passion and even color? As designers in any field know, taking away color from a concept will focus attention (and critique) on it’s basic form, styling and included technology. While it’s certainly easier for most to attach themselves to a design that contains color, (bringing the design language into more accessible vernacular) without it, the MINI Design Team are seemingly asking us to look beyond the superficial and directly at the form and function of the car.
The initial result can be a bit jarring. It’s a foreign idea, a MINI that looks as if it was dropped off on its way to a cloud city. While some of the shapes and ideas are similar to what we see in today’s car, the textures and colors make them look strangely unfamiliar. The polished aluminum, suede headliner, and the white floating seats make for a cockpit that forces us to reevaluate what we expect to see in a small, inexpensive automobile. And while much of the finished colors and textures of the interior won’t see production, the overall shape surely is a pre-cursor to the 2007 MINI.
The same goes for the exterior. While the extravagant lighting may work for creating a bold statement, one would think that it simply strays a little too far from MINI’s well cultivated design language of the current car to see production. Other details that would seemingly fall into this category are rear logo and outlandish 20″ wheels
For me personally, it’s the headlight treatment that is the most jarring portion of the overall design. First MINI Design have created a flatter and taller front grille area. This in itself is quite a departure from the current sloped design. However they then accentuated this rather important design change by the shape, angle and placement of the uncomfortably large headlight housing. All this adds up to a face that’s hard to come to grips with initially.
It would seem that the change in shape we see in the front of the car was most likely precipitated by the new European pedestrian safety standards implemented for all new cars in 2005. But the MINI Design Team seem to have taken this opportunity to push the design language back into a direction closer to the original upright design of the classic Mini. In some ways I see it as a successful move as it certainly creates a stronger signature face.
I’d expect the grille and it’s shape to move over to the final version of the R56 relatively unchanged in it’s general form. However I can’t help but think the final production headlight treatment will be much more inline with what we’d visually expect, meaning that we should see a more humbly proportioned headlight housing.
What’s you get beyond the lack of color and the new face, your focus moves to the extended length. And that extra space translates into increased rear passenger room and a larger, more versatile boot. And speaking of the boot, MINI have done a masterful job of opening it up with the complex hinged rear doors and hatch. Only with close up photos can you really appreciate all the time that was spent to create a very unique and functional rear opening. We can only hope the production version of this car retains half the functionality seen here.
With this new concept, the MINI Design team seem to be prepping the public (and especially current MINI owners) for the new interpretations of classic MINI themes that are coming with the R56. While there’s undoubtedly quite a bit of pure concept that won’t make it beyond the auto-show circuit, expect a good portion of the basic concept (especially the interior) to subtly turn into what is in dealer showrooms late next year.
We’ll have more on what parts of the MINI Frankfurt Concept will and won’t make it to production tomorrow.
Related
[ MINI Concept Steals Show at Frankfurt ] MotoringFile
[ MINI Wagon Concept – In Depth ] MotoringFile
[ MINI Concept Gallery: From Sketch to Prototype ] MotoringFile
<p>Good point, Gabe–bright colors would distract from the form. The silver and gray scheme allows one to concentrate on the lines and the way the design uses the available space.</p>
<p>The headlights are for me the only false note. I hope they change in the final design. In fact, it would be nice if the headlights resembled those on the original Mini (though not completely)–that would go well with the upright grille.</p>
<p>Perhaps the designers deliberately chose a radiacal look in the lights for two reasons: (1) they knew it was their only chance to go wild, and (2) when the final design emerges, people will breathe a sigh of relief, rather than criticize it!</p>
<p>I never realized how little I took the color into consideration when looking at a new ride…</p>
<p>Nice write up Gabe. </p>
<p>To me the most shocking thing was my first look at the new nose. As I stated in an earlier post it does hail back to the original car. I like the look of the grill but the overhang seems extreme. You and I know, as designers, you have to see it in person before you can really make a rational decision. I’m going to wait for when I finally see one in person before condemning it. It seems less ugly, as I originally stated, to me the more I see it.</p>
<p>I look at all the new cars from Europe and see big flat noses that I am not particularly fond of but that’s the way it’s gonna be.</p>
<p>Maybe a post of the new Europe ped law would help us understand what BMW was up against. I don’t know much about it.</p>
<p>It just struck me…..are 5-mph bumpers dead with the new designs?</p>
<p>I guess my curiosity with the design is what is the target. Its not a mini van. Its not a mini. Its not quite a station wagon.(lack of 4 doors) Is this suppose to be an SUV minus the offroad and size? Personally, I like it….but I am not a typical user. I look at this vehicle like my second car. I need something to go to the local hardware store and pick up some plumbing/whatnot, but the reat bucket seats are not practical for hauling that type of material. I look at the extra room and realize I might be able to drive more than 1-2 other people around for tourist drives….but I would still like to go to the hardware store. I like the rear doors, very practical. My concern is with the sliding rough, honestly, I dont need a leak source that only comes into play everynow and again.
I also am curious as to why the tail lights dont swing out with the doors, seems like another place to trap dirt and such. Similar comment to the headlights.</p>
<p>I am in favour of something “like” this getting built, but what is the target. I would like to see it go the road of the Honda Element for rear cargo room functionality, with a bigger blast in the handling and coolness factor. Keep the rear doors with roll down windows(need to stick those 2×4’s out). Well there are my hopes. Not like anybody has listened to me before, so I am not raising my hopes.</p>
<p>Good show on the design…..but who is the target.</p>
<p>Very good thoughts – I like your thinking and seem to agree with you on everything.</p>
<p>Thanks for making this one of my favorite sites!</p>
<p>I guess I look at the front as not the biggest “down” in the car. To me the biggest disappointment is the HUGE center instrument pod. I don’t mind the current one, but this is almost 50% larger.</p>
<p>It looks to me like they are trying to play to the chic urban surfer-wagon market for males while trying to conjure up the entry-level BMW luxury connection for females. Hmmmm… You can decide for yourself whether they accomplish it. Gabe, I too have wondered if all the little fit complexities in the tailgates, door openings, and hood/headligt fit aren’t begging for wear, moisture, and contamination problems later.</p>
<p>The design does grow on you, but not like the 2nd Gen MINI did. Unusually for a car, my affection for my two-year-old MINI and my appreciation for its aesthetic design is still growing.</p>
<p>Bob</p>
<p>re: “curious as to why the tail lights dont swing out with the doors”</p>
<p>My first guess is so you can drive with the doors open, and still have tail lights visible to traffic behind you.</p>
<p>Thanks for the well worded write up, gabe. I had enough of reading the same old MINI schpeel regurgitated by this auto-source and that.</p>
<p>Cheers to the MINI Frankfurt Concept grille & badge. You are beautiful.</p>
<p>Here’s to them making the leap.
&
Here’s to Gabe for providing such kind focus among varying perspectives!</p>
<blockquote>However I can’t help but think the final production headlight treatment will be much more inline with what we’d visually expect, meaning that we should see a more humbly proportioned headlight housing.</blockquote>
<p>I expect the same, Gabe. When I look at the nose of this concept, I also see the throwback to the original grill and I love it. The headlights are the discord for the nose, but I think it has less to do with their size and more to do with the sweep of them. If you look at the straight on photo with the grill mold being made, the MINI face is definately there and from that angle it looks great. The visual sour note comes when you see the car off the front corner or at profile and the exaggerated rear sweep of the lights becomes so apparent. I just want to select the point at the top of the light bezel and pull it forward 20-30% or more. If I could just drop the car into illustrator real quick! – simply bring the lights to be more upright. I think the overall frontal size is fine – the lights simply need to be slanted forward and I imagine when we see the R56, that’s much more the face that will greet us. </p>
<p>Thanks for breaking down the design so thoroughly, Gabe. One thing I’ve consistantly enjoyed about MotoringFile is that it isn’t just a place for gear-head motor discussion (which is great too), but also gives equal consideration to the aesthetic considerations of the car, it’s character, the MINI brand, and the simple joy of driving it. BMW and MINI both have the good sense to make design a very high priority in their cars and it’s only appropriate that those issues frequent the discussion here.</p>
<p>Gabe,</p>
<p>Nice write up. As someone who deals with designers a lot, I see a lot of common langauge and the desire to ‘innovate’ in the Concept. Sometimes the ‘innovate’ portion leads to shock initially then slowly warms to your eye.</p>
<p>My biggest shock, besides the headlights, is still the front-hinged bumperless hood with just holes for the headlights. Total departure from the automotive norm. WOW! Production = doubtful. </p>
<p>Also, I did like the underhood engine bay treatment. very nice. </p>
<p>GMG</p>
<p>Just one other comment: the design and the presentation remind me of the designs that come from Apple. I can’t articulate exactly why they do, but I’ll bet others get the same feeling. </p>
<p>It makes sense, though: I believe the Mini and Apple customer bases have a lot of overlap.</p>
<p>Excellent points all, and undoubtedly some of the “details” on the concept car will not make it to market. That being said, there are other reasons or “markets” for those moves.</p>
<p>Maybe a designer-to-designer detail (i.e. look what we got to do…)?</p>
<p>Maybe just MINI keeping the innovation flag flying (regardless if it goes to battle)?</p>
<p>Maybe a marketing move for the MINI design department to attract talent?</p>
<p>Or rather maybe pushing the envelope a bit father to make sure that when it’s all said and done that the result is still “fresh”?</p>
<p>Who knows? For me, I think wackier is better – design on!</p>
<p>Derek</p>
<blockquote>It looks to me like they are trying to play to the chic urban surfer-wagon market for males while trying to conjure up the entry-level BMW luxury connection for females. Hmmmm… </blockquote>
<p>Warning: Sexism alert! Hey, what about the chic urban surfer-wagon market for females and the entry-level BMW luxury connection for males?</p>
<p>Actually, the current Mini works very well as an urban (wind)surfer-wagon. I use mine regularly in that mode. I don’t see it as especially chic, though.</p>
<p>Overall, I really like the form- it’s longer but doesn’t appear too much so and the front overhangs are predictably longer but not too much- I’m sure they’ve worked at keeping this as minimal as possible while meeting the strict guidelines from around the globe.</p>
<p>I too believe the headlights will be toned down for production- resembling the units on the mud-colored drawing. The new grill is nice, cheeky even.</p>
<p>For the interior, I like the simplified center console. The speedo is a little large, but for what it’s function will be it isn’t too bad. As long as I have my tach above the wheel with a little digital speed read out, it’ll be fine. The one point that needs attention are the large, awkward side vents- looking a little too forced and too “GM-Pontiac-esque” for lack of a better insult.</p>
<p>I can’t wait to see what makes it and how it translates to the 3 door standard Cooper. </p>
<p>I love model turnover anticipation.</p>
<p>Thanks for the write-up, Gabe, nicely sums up what we already concluded in other threads, plus some stuff only a designer like you would notice :)</p>
<p>About European pedestrian regulations: it basically says there needs to be a certain minimal space between the bonnet and the solid components beneath it, such as the engine. As the engine rarely can move down (they are already placed as low in the car as practical for a low point of gravity), the bonnet has to move up, either statically in the design, or on more expensive cars dynamically, jumping up when an impact is detected.</p>
<p>One other point wrt the rear, here’s another argument why the doors swinging sideways might not make it into production. In certain countries (the Netherlands being one of them) there are regulations that say the rear lights may not be obscured when the rear doors are opened. This is the reason many SUV-type cars with rear doors swinging sideways have extra rear lights in the bumper over here, below the door. As I doubt Mini would want to have rear lights in the rear bumper on this type of car, they may want to go for a traditional hatch back in the production version.</p>
<p>Most Superb write up Gabe.</p>
<p>I watched part of a special here in Germany on TV, on the making of the concept. It was late, and I only saw part of when they were dealing with the clay model. But it was still mightily impressive, the amount of effort put into it.</p>
<p>Yes, the more I see it, the more I grow accustomed to it.</p>
<p>I also am not a “typical user”, but fell in love with the new mini after driving a friends 03 S, 2 years before getting my own (05S). I have limited use for an original mini, sure they are cute but this is the new millenium and while I am in my 50s,I have owned enough “old” cars to know thier drawbacks well. modern cars WORK! for me. I have been in the car business my entire life and love this new design in general. I find the dash the biggest drawback in design form, and hope it gets toned down some in the final product. as for the body shape and size, I love it! while im sure i will keep my current mini, I’ll be ordering one of these as soon as they come out to add to the fleet.</p>