A quick reminder for all those readers who might have missed our design contest launched in conjunction with the internet debut of the MINI Countryman. Monday is the final day to get your ideas in.
What’s the idea? Simple; design your own accessory that fits on the Countryman’s new interior rail system. We’ll send the best ideas over to Munich and the MINI Design team will pick their favorite. The winner gets an ultra-exclusive copy of the new MINI Design book autographed by MINI Design head Gert Hildebrand.
So to recap, here’s how it works:
1. Come up with the idea.
2. Post your idea in the comment section in our original post or below (a sketch or even a Youtube video of you explaining or even a very detailed description it of course will help.
3. On February 22nd we’ll send the ideas to the MINI Design team and they’ll pick the winner.
Of course really the best part? If it’s a good enough idea, you may even see it end up in a MINI someday.
Need a refresher on the rail system? With the MINI rail you can add and subtract different components depending on your needs. Want an armrest? Easy, snap it in and position where needed. Need an iPhone holder? MINI will surely have that covered. What about different devices? Again the beauty of the system is that MINI can offer a array of options depending on what you need. They even see the aftermarket stepping in and offering all sorts of accessories for things we can’t even imagine. But for more information on it straight from the people that know best, watch the video above where Gert Hildebrand (Head of MINI Design) talks about the concept behind the rail.
You can see a few excerpts of the book below.
<p>Hi Gabe,</p>
<p>Great contest, I tried posting this in the comments of the original post but not sure it worked. Thought I’d try again:</p>
<p>It’s a armrest design that can pivot 90 degrees in either direction to give the rear seat passengers a table/platform to work from.</p>
<p>You push the button at the top of the central vertical column to get it to pivot to either side and to adjust it’s height</p>
<p>The soft non-stick rubber surface can be used as is or you can double/triple the width by expanding one or both of the fold out sections.</p>
<p>There is a built in cup holder cut out/divot.</p>
<p>The working surface could also be tilted for added comfort.</p>
<p>A bonus feature (if you could send power down the rails) would be a 12V power jack (standard cigarette lighter socket) and/or a couple of USB ports for power in the central tower.</p>
<p>Pictures here:
<a href="http://gallery.me.com/davecchen/100015" rel="nofollow ugc">http://gallery.me.com/davecchen/100015</a></p>
<p>Google Sketch Up 3D CAD file here:
<a href="http://files.me.com/davecchen/esdzty" rel="nofollow ugc">http://files.me.com/davecchen/esdzty</a></p>
<p>Dave</p>
<p>My Idea would be to have a TV/CD player attached to the rails that pivots in both directions and links to the power supply for the back seats. The monitor could also double for a second monitor for lap tops.</p>
<p>My Idea would be to have a TV/CD player attached to the rails that pivots in both directions and links to the power supply for the back seats. The monitor could also double for a second monitor for lap tops or video games.</p>
<p>How about another Center Arm Console for the back seats when you open up the top of the arm rest it’s a cooler or a food warmer…or a maybe mock stick shift so that your kids can pretend that they are driving a MINI in USA/UK.</p>