The study car, which made its debut at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, harked back to the classic Mini in terms of its exterior dimensions, while its technology points to the future of automotive design. A 3+1-seater with 3 doors and a length of just over 3 metres (approx. 10 ft.), the MINI Rocketman Concept responds to the fundamental requirements of mobile lifestyles in the big cities of the future. A carbon spaceframe construction, whose striking surface structure is visible at the front end of the car, around its doors and in the interior, forms the basis for a weight-minimising construction. Wide-opening doors with double-hinge joints and integrated sills facilitate entry into the MINI Rocketman Concept. The lightweight seats are contoured in customary MINI style and can be arranged in a variety of different positions. Large wheels and the three-level structural split of body, "wraparound" greenhouse and roof resting on top give the flanks the same appearance as the MINI models already in series production. The rear lights of the MINI Rocketman Concept have a trapezoidal stirrup design - into which all the light functions are integrated - and work using projector technology. Mini's new Connected infotainment system is displayed via three-dimensional graphics on the interactive speedometer screen, and there's even a steering wheel-mounted joystick to operate the whole slew of functions. (netcarshow.com & autoblog.com)
A London and Team GB-inspired version of its Mini Rocketman Concept
was designed for the London 2012 Olympic games.
(Photos from autoblog.com, netcarshow.com & pocket-lint.com)
