Mini Vision Urbanaut

A Mini Adventure

BMW Group unveils a new concept for Mini, creating a car that transforms into a lounge.

When it comes to long-distance road trips, space and comfort tend to be high on the list of priorities, so chances are, a Mini – one of the more compact cars on the market – isn’t going be the first choice of transportation. However a new concept from BMW Group, the brand’s owners, seeks to change that.

Launched as part of a streamcast examining the future of mobility, the Mini Vision Urbanaut is an evolution of the classic vehicle, offering more interior space and versatility than ever yet still on a minimal footprint. “The Mini brand has always stood for clever use of space,” explains Adrian van Hooydonk, Head of BMW Group Design. “In the Mini Vision Urbanaut, we extend private space far into the public realm, creating completely new and enriching experiences.”

The concept was presented as three scenarios, or Mini Moments, to showcase a variety of uses that go way beyond getting from A to B. The vehicle itself is 4.46m in length yet unusually tall for a Mini, and comes with signature features including the distinctive radiator grille, along with new flourishes such as wheels finished in turquoise, headlights that can display multicoloured graphics and a body that transitions from a metallic green to a subtly toned grey.

The driver can choose to utilise automated driving functions or take the wheel themselves, and on arrival at the destination, the car transforms into a living room in just a few simple steps. The dashboard lowers and the two front seats rotate to form a daybed, while the windscreen can be opened upwards to become a balcony. The rear of the car provides a second seating area, in which a textile-covered ‘loop’ with LED lighting extends overhead to create a cosy corner.

Sustainable materials and an all-electric drive system are also part of the concept, along with the Mini Token, a smart device that activates preconfigured moments such as fragrance, ambient lighting and music, resulting in a truly personalised experience.