MINI Teases New Design Highlights
The MINI brand has unveiled the first design highlights of its future model family. The upcoming MINI models will be inspired by the MINI Vision Urbanaut virtual vision vehicle, which was revealed in November 2020. The MINI Vision Urbanaut features an innovative vision of space and sustainable materials. This time we see some of the design elements that will be seen across the family of vehicles. MINI is heading for a simpler, yet still charismatic experience. MINI is also making a big push for sustainability in it’s new design and products. “We are completely rethinking the iconic MINI” says Oliver Heilmer, Head of MINI Design.
The upcoming MINI models will be characterized by a high-quality and sustainable variety of materials and colors. Vibrant Silver will be a recurring color accent, adding a special touch with its shimmering metallic appearance, both outside and in. The range of seats will be equally diverse, with a fresh combination of new colors and patterns paired with classic style elements like the houndstooth pattern. Laminated seat side panels will look particularly valuable and show the attention to detail.
We also see a host of new rim designs. Designs are meant to look bigger and bolder than they actually may be to keep up with the big personality of the little cars. The use of two-tone contrasting colors is another evolution in the wheels we have seen on generations over the last 20 years.
The next big change comes in the form of a near complete redesign of the steering wheel. The steering wheel becomes smaller but maintains it’s chunky look and feel. We see a horn appear to protrude more than previous generation but also maybe a smaller diameter as well to match that smaller wheel size. At the bottom, we see what appears to be a woven fabric-like strap that mates up to a hard surface material. It almost appears as if they took a smartwatch watch band and integrated it into the bottom of the wheel. Very likely this material is made from recycled material and is more sustainable than the plastic is replaces. A larger grid of buttons appear on each side of the horn, likely to allow the driver to control more of the internal cabin functions without having to take their hands off the wheel and use the center console.
Speaking of the center console, we see a dramatically simplified center console area as much of those functional buttons have been moved into a gorgeous circular OLED display. The display contains all the features current generations have and more. With the removal of the digital dash display (heads up still remains) we see the speed, drive mode, radio, climate controls and more in this display in a nod to the original classic mini’s that had all their controls in a center cluster. MINI claims this is the first circular OLED touch-screen in a vehicle and it looks as if a giant Google Pixel Watch display floats off the dash in the center of the car.
Below that console will be a small cluster of toggle-esque switches that have a key-like switch to turn on the car, drive mode selector, drive/park/reverse buttons and maybe a few more. This also is a more simplistic look to the car that also mimmics controls seen in the OG classic cars.
With all these design highlights shared with us, it’s hard to imagine there is much more to share of the upcoming 4th gen MIN Cooper Electric, Aceman and Electric Countryman. Whatever is left to reveal will be shown this fall when the models get their official full reveal.
