MINI Concept Tokyo Gallery

blalor Oct 20th, 2005 Link

That headliner’s enough to send me into epileptic fits.

Reply

RB Oct 20th, 2005 Link

PIMP MY RIDE does Elton John?

Reply

Adam Oct 20th, 2005 Link

Wow. That’s incredible. I’d like to see more pics of the front. The sidemarker colors are pretty sweet, as well as the mirror caps.

Is that last pic a key fob or something? I saw it earlier on the steering wheel.

The trays for the rear motorers is a riot! Nothing like pulling up to a Phantom and saying, “Pardon me,…”

Reply

RB Oct 20th, 2005 Link

GREY POOPON is about it!

Reply

RB Oct 20th, 2005 Link

Plays well in West Hollywood.

Reply

Gabe Oct 20th, 2005 Link

RB – I think we get your point…

Reply

Tom Oct 20th, 2005 Link

If Charlies Angels were around today, I can just here it, “Quick Sabrina… get the MINI!” I love it!!!

Reply

Mike Oct 20th, 2005 Link

The last photo appeared to be a watch and key wrapped into one. Sort of a remote start. That’s a really cool concept to integrate the two, even as a pocket watch or something.

Reply

RB Oct 20th, 2005 Link

Aw come on Gabe join in, it’s toooooo easy!

Ok I’ll let it go.

Reply

David Bunting Oct 20th, 2005 Link

Some initial thoughts:

Compared to the Frankfurt Concept, I definitely like the driving light placement in the grille better on the Tokyo version.

The grille on this version isn’t as well integrated IMO. It could just be the color though. The Frankfurt Concept was chrome and that worked a better with the silver in the area under the grille. I would like to see this grille in either silver or black.

From the sketches last week I was hoping from a new headlight treatment, but it looks like that didn’t happen.

The addition of color does help the overall impression of the car (forgiving some of the excesses that are there for this particular show).

The wheels are a bit of a surprise for me in that they are quite a bit of a departure from the pre-show sketches. They do appear to be the same wheels as the Frankfurt Concept though.

I actually like the mirror caps and headliner. It’s not necessarily an option that I’d tick if it were offered, but it is nice to see MINI hasn’t forgotten color (the ‘06 MCS pallet definitely brought that into question).

When taken together the Frankfurt and Tokyo Concepts are pretty impressive in terms of how much they push the MINI design while still holding onto a shape and style that is noticably MINI.

Reply

tanya Oct 20th, 2005 Link

“Whimisical.” Whatever. I’m assuming that those responsible for this have lost their jobs.

Reply

Meg Oct 20th, 2005 Link

I actually like the mirro caps, but wouldn’t go so far with that color combo like putting it on the headliner.

Reply

Frank Oct 20th, 2005 Link

Ice cream anyone??

I love it!!!

Reply

Gabe Oct 20th, 2005 Link

Gabe’s thoughts on Dave’s thoughts:

Compared to the Frankfurt Concept, I definitely like the driving light placement in the grille better on the Tokyo version.

I’ve heard that this will be similar to what we’ll see on the next gen MCS.

The grille on this version isn’t as well integrated IMO. It could just be the color though. The Frankfurt Concept was chrome and that worked a better with the silver in the area under the grille. I would like to see this grille in either silver or black.

Again, rumor has it that this type of grille will be featured on the MCS and will be black.

When taken together the Frankfurt and Tokyo Concepts are pretty impressive in terms of how much they push the MINI design while still holding onto a shape and style that is noticably MINI.

I think this MINI is really meant to be as far out of the comfort zone as possible. This concept car is preuly a styling exercise that plays very well in a place like Tokyo and less well in a place like Topeka.

Reply

wen Oct 20th, 2005 Link

People commenting are still confused about what a concept car should represent in the japanese market. Its meant to get your attention….MINI Concept Tokyo did that. Also alot of the elements look very feasible for the worldwide market (ie. grill mounted driving lights).

Reply

Brendan Oct 20th, 2005 Link

The colors are a little out there. Looks like the whole carebear community exploded on the interior headliner. I think the rest of the car was probably hand crafted from My Little Pony carcasses.

Reply

Lee L Oct 20th, 2005 Link

Well, I really like the 2 sets of toggles still, looks super cool.

The full side view reminds me of Ace and Gary’s car on SNL.

Did anyone figure out if these are real cars or are they just a framework with clay and plastic all over it?

Reply

Matt Oct 20th, 2005 Link

If their point was simply to get attention, why not just light the thing on fire? It looks like some high-school project to me. Blech!

Reply

Siddhartha Oct 20th, 2005 Link

The only thing missing is a bright pink vinyl Hello Kitty purse in the front seat.

I remember hearing a radio jock one time say, “If it’s too loud, you’re too old!” I guess that applies here too; this thing is just too loud.

Reply

Vanwall Oct 20th, 2005 Link

Nice touch, Gabe & Matt – the puke green motif is carried into the photo gallery. Clever lads! This will be endless fun forever, slagging the outré Tokyo Mis-Conception. Oh, I know some will go for it like makos to chum, and maybe it would look better with less dissonant elements – don’t want the poor MIN looking like an Ami6 with growths that Uncle Buck would pay to have gnawed off by rats.

          BCNU,
        Rob in Dago

Reply

renaultf1 Oct 20th, 2005 Link

I quite like the headliner…and I’m not kidding.

Reply

Chris M Oct 20th, 2005 Link

I like the mirror caps! Outstanding.

The designers had fun, and it’s definitely got the Japanese flavor down. Austin Powers goes out for a swinging evening with Hello Kitty. The Twinings tea rack is hilarious.

I don’t think I’d buy this package if it were offered, however. I’m secure in my masculinity, but not THAT secure :-)

Reply

Allan Oct 20th, 2005 Link

WHOA! I actually like this, it’s so out of the ordinary that I can’t help but say “I want one of those!”

Reply

Adam Oct 20th, 2005 Link

I really want an integrated dial-phone. That rocks.

and I love the utter disregard of principles of packing with single tea-packets attached to the sidebar. Its so modernist its brilliant.

Reply

alpinamike Oct 20th, 2005 Link

Wait a second……. I hate it…..no… I like it, now I hate it…. no.. I like it……. Now I have to go post on NAM…….lol lol,lol,lol,lol

-alpinamike

Reply

O(=^=)O Capn Oct 22nd, 2005 Link

Whoa! Speed lines on the headliner! It’s fast without even moving!(but I kinda like it though, the headliner, that is.)

Reply

Bart Oct 22nd, 2005 Link

so, yeah, nice tea set.. but how do you boil the water? Is there a hotplate under the bonnet-lol?

Reply

doug Oct 22nd, 2005 Link

Concept Tokyo = Fun and Over the Top

This is it.

Love it or leave it.
Keep in mind, this is BASED on the next gen MINI. There are A LOT of “Concept Tokyo” Designer additions here.

In Making a snap decision… I say I like it. “Concepcion de Insanity”

Next Gen MINI = No comment from me until I see a Stock Model.

Fingers remain crossed and I hope those headlights look better in person.

Reply