The MINI brand just launched an eye-catching concept at #NEXTGen, the MINI Vision Urbanaut.
According to MINI, this digital vision vehicle offers more interior space and versatility than ever before, but still on a minimal footprint.
Oliver Heilmer, Head of MINI Design, said that the MINI Vision Urbanaut uses three curated MINI moments – “Chill”, “Wanderlust” and “Vibe”. “The Chill moment invites you to catch a breath and pause in the here and now. The car becomes a kind of retreat, a haven where you can relax – or work with full concentration – during a journey,” he added.
The visual highlight of the MINI Vision Urbanaut when viewed from the side are the wheels, finished in the colour Ocean Wave, a turquoise blue which according to MINI “sparks associations with the beach and the sound of the sea”.
Over the course of the project, augmented reality was employed to create a digital model, which was then systematically optimised. Unusually tall for a MINI, but only 4.46 m in length, the MINI Vision Urbanaut provides an interior space that can be used in many different ways and offers a whole new ease of movement inside the car.
An extremely flexible four-seat layout provides the basis for the bright interior. The two front seats are designed to rotate, while the backrests for the generously sized seat surface in the rear can be folded manually (left rear seat) and turned around (right rear seat).
When the car is stationary, the dashboard lowers and the driver’s area becomes a comfortable seating corner – the “daybed”. Added to which, the windscreen can be opened upwards when stationary to create a kind of Street Balcony.
The back is meant to be the “Cosy Corner” for passengers. A textile covered “Loop” extends over the seat bench and features the option of LED backlighting.
Apart from comfort, sustainability is also a focus in the MINI Vision Urbanaut. In addition to the use of recyclates, the design is free of chrome and leather. The dominant material in the interior is knitted textile, and the use of cork on the steering wheel and sections of the floor adds a special touch thanks to its natural feel.
The company did not reveal the exact specifications of the powertrain.