From MINI Press:
MINI”s first concept car since its 2001 launch proved a big hit for the world”s press at its Frankfurt Motor Show unveiling this week.
The cunningly-named MINI Concept Frankfurt provided early hints towards a potential future derivative for the much-loved Oxford-built car. A longer wheel base, added practical storage and access solutions plus bespoke interiors and exterior styling cues ensured that the concept MINI made the headlines and “stunned crowds”, according to The Sun.
Part of MINI”s success has been down to its styling – unmatched on the road and instantly recognisable. But it has been the details such as headlights, speedo, switches and roof decals that has set MINI apart from its competition. And this attention to detail has re-focused again on the show car.
The concept MINI”s character is emphasised by retractable aluminium headlamps, air vents that turn into cup holders, and a central navigation screen that flips round to be replaced by a Jules Verne-style globe. As a respectable nod to the past, but combined with 21st Century design technology, the lack of a B-pillar on the car allows the rear passengers to be serviced with windows that slide back rather than down. And practicality is addressed with a back window that electronically drops and lifts, and front seats pivoted centrally allowing them to swing round rather than tip up to aid rear passenger access.
Andy Hearn, MINI UK”s general manager said: “The new MINI concept car has proved a big hit at the show. MINI”s success over the past four years has shown us that the car has the potential to expand its range whilst retaining all the much-loved MINI traits ” a great drive, instant charm and unbeatable ownership benefits. If we build a version of the Frankfurt show car I would fully expect it to contribute to yet more record sales for MINI.”
MINI was launched in July 2001 with the MINI One and Cooper hatch models. The MINI Cooper S hatch and MINI One D variants followed in 2002 and 2003 respectively with the UK”s best-selling convertible to date in 2005, the MINI Convertible, arriving on the scene in the summer of 2004. Each new MINI has contributed to record sales year-on-year in the UK and abroad and MINI expects to produce a record 200,000 cars from the Oxford plant this year.
Related
[ MINI Wagon Concept – In Depth ] MotoringFile
[ MINI Concept Gallery: From Sketch to Prototype ] MotoringFile
<p>Wow, I have to admit. That is kind of cool.</p>
<p>i dint know the hood opens backwards?!</p>
<p>Wow is all I can say…very forward thinking and a very smart look.</p>
<p>And for those people who ‘hate’ the three-spoke steering wheel look! The 2 spoke!</p>
<p>I want see the flipping speedo and the vent/cup holders, how cool is that?!?!</p>
<p>Yes, they have some great new features and technology in this concept. And I absolutely love that second pic because it shows the new grill style using a headlight shape very similar to our current ones. And they’ve got the mailbox too! :rock</p>
<p>as cool looking as the hood is, doesn’t that basically mean you can only access the engine from the sides, but not the front (unless it unclips too)</p>
<p>most clamshell hoods have a detatch option. never had any problems workinng on my saab with it on, tho.</p>
<p>and I don’t hear too many BMW 2002 or E30 3 series owner complaining :)</p>
<p>That said I doubt this particular feature will make it to production.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>central navigation screen that flips round to
be replaced by a Jules Verne-style globe</p>
</blockquote>
<p>I MUST see this, anyone know of a picture?</p>
<blockquote>…retractable aluminium headlamps…</blockquote>
<p>Really? Any details or photos?</p>
<p>I too am diggin’ the new grille. I can’t say I’ve been a huge fan of the current “lower grille” that sits on the bumper… I understand why it’s there, but think that it’s specific formal solution doesn’t live up to the rest of the car…</p>
<p>Derek</p>
<blockquote>
<p>I too am diggin’ the new grille. I can’t say I’ve been a huge fan of the current “lower grille” that sits on the bumper… I understand why it’s there, but think that it’s specific formal solution doesn’t live up to the rest of the car…</p>
</blockquote>
<p>I totally agree.</p>
<p>I see they went back to a 2 spoke steering wheel design.</p>
<p>The parallel geometry on the rear barn doors is pretty ingenious – gets them out of the way while still allowing the doors to completely open. I’m not so sure about that concept’s execution on the side doors, however. I probobly don’t need to worry as a door system that complicated wouldn’t likely make it to production, but it sure doesn’t look like it gets very far out of the way for getting in and out of the car – especially the back seats.</p>
<p>And also to toss in my “me too” on the subject of the forward tilting bonnet. My ’87 Prelude hood swung forward in the same way and Lord knows I spent plenty of hours with it up getting that car to 273k miles. I found that it was much more out of the way than in – the majority of what needed working on being on the sides or actually up in the top of the motor and it was very nice not to have to duck under the hood to do that work.</p>
<p>I think the next generation of MINI’s is going to surprise us in a lot of good ways, and I really hope it does – most of all I’m hoping the new powerplant is worthy of such a great little car.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>central navigation screen that flips round to be replaced by a Jules Verne-style globe</p>
<p>I MUST see this, anyone know of a picture?</p>
</blockquote>
<p>This I gotta see. </p>
<p>I believe that the “Retractible” headlights are “Retractible” just like the tail lights.</p>
<p>Love the two spoke s-wheel. It never really went away. Just left the US.</p>
<p>I must ask. When they make mock ups for shows like this, is there a lot of clay or is there actually some metal in these things with some clay here and there?</p>
<p>Honestly, I thought this new concept was a ridiculous idea … Until I saw it in pictures. It looks great. If I had a need for a larger vehicle, that would certainly top my list. </p>
<p><em>(Especially if they added a supercharger or turbocharger.)</em></p>
<p>The two spoke wheel on this concept MINI looks more like the three spoke than the two spoke. so, if you like this, I don’t see how you wouldn’t like the current three spoke.</p>
<p>There’s also an short but interesting interesting article on BBC News discussing the future MINI <a rel="nofollow" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/4264072.stm">here</a>.</p>
<p>Oh and lose the oversized badge on the tailgate.</p>
<p>I think there are some great ideas here, but here are my observations:</p>
<p>1) The headlights look too “raked” from the profile… almost Jag-like – I prefer a more upright “bug-eye” look harkening back to the Mini days of old.</p>
<p>2) The rear barn doors look interesting, but the extremely wide sweep (may encroach on the adjacent parking spots in your typical lot) doesn’t really help in loading ease, since the pillars are buttressed and have narrow access anyway.</p>
<p>3) I think it’s fascinating that the roof area over the boot has a retractable section allowing for overheight items to be placed vertically (for those 6′ palm trees we all need to cart around upright)</p>
<p>4) I prefer the look of a traditional analog gauge or an all digital gauge – this hybrid looks a bit busy and cluttered.</p>
<p>5) The interior looks very clean and sanitary – the center stack is nicely refreshed, but it looks like there is even less storage than the current MINI.</p>
<p>6) Hi-tech is going to keep it popular… standard Bluetooth, ipod docking/controls, MP3 player (the new radios are MP3 compatible) and satellite radio ready radios will all help… many of these options are available now, but they need to be standard.</p>
<p>that grill is great….</p>
<p>the more i see of this, the more i like it.</p>
<p>-jac</p>
<p>Does any part of the Frankfurt concept function or is it a pure model?</p>
<p>MINI concept “steals the show” at Frankfurt?</p>
<p>I don’t know about that. I know MINI is patting themselves on the back as hard and as often as they can about this, but it seems like the manufactured accolades are getting a little tired now. At least that’s how I feel about it.</p>
<p>I like the concept, except for the headlights, which everyone has commented on and we have already confirmed will not look the same on the next gen MINI, but I look forward to news on things other than this.</p>
<p>BMW have done it again, this concept is very well executed. It will be interesting to see how much of it will actually see production. When the New Mini first appeared we were really excited and the final product was really close to the original concept, so let’s hope the same applies here.
A well balanced, cool looking practical wagon,what a concept!!</p>
<p>“cunningly named”?</p>
<p>pff. Yeah.</p>
<p>But the design is growing on me.</p>