MINI Vision Urbanaut
The traditional motor car is undergoing an existential crisis, with smarter companies rethinking its future form and function. As a brand, MINI is in a fitting place to be at the forefront of these radical discussions. After all, the original (non-capitalized) 1959 Sir Alec Issigonis Mini was a radical concept, appearing as a transport solution in a time of political turmoil that started with the Suez Crisis and led to oil shortages across the western world. Today’s world is also in the midst of its own crisis. Pandemic aside, there is the climate emergency and mass urbanization to consider, as well as the fear and anxieties surrounding the information age.
Enter the MINI Vision Urbanaut. Central to this future electric autonomous concept study is the idea of “MINI Moments” - scenarios that extend beyond transport and, when activated, alter the layout of the car. There are three pre-programed atmospheres - Chill, Wanderlust and Vibe - with the possibility to create your own. So, for instance in Chill the car becomes a retreat, a space for relaxing or getting into the flow of work. In Wanderlust, you turn off the automated functions and take to the wheel. Then in Vibe mode, the MINI becomes a social scene.
In short, the Vision Urbanaut is the ultimate experiential product. By harnessing the potentials of modern technology – artificial learning and machine science - MINI has conceptually evolved the car to be much more than a passive vehicle for transport.
Vision Urbanaut transforms its interior to become three different "MINI Moments"
User experience, UX design, has largely steered the creative process so it is best to explain the car from the inside out. The cabin alters its shape to cater for the three MINI Moments. When stationary, the driving area turns into a seating lounge and the dashboard lowers to become a daybed. You can create a sort of car balcony by moving the windscreen upwards and be part of your surroundings. There is an LED-lit relaxed corner in the rear for a quiet chill-out zone. The central section of the car doubles up as an extra seat when the car is stationary. Materials are all sustainable, knitted textile features heavily and the car is chrome-and leather-free. A small integrated table with a plant on the side of the car opposite the entry door completes the homely décor.
Vision Urbanaut windscreen opens upwards to offer a "car balcony"
The Moments are activated through a “Token” mechanism from the table area in the center. You can also imagine and program in your own bespoke scenarios - new fragrance, ambient lighting, your own musical mix. This is a highly connected car too, yet technology has been designed to be discreet and not overwhelming. The information panel is democratically shared from its center position, while access to Vision Urbanaut is via a smart device which can be used by a family circle or friends.
LED lights help enhance the social living space atmosphere in the rear
The mono-volume exterior shape helps with maximizing the cabin space. The classic modern MINI grille and light designs have evolved so the matrix light shape now displays multi-colored graphics to communicate what the passengers are experiencing at any given time to the outside world. Likewise, the Ocean Wave application on the wheels are transparent and illuminated from the inside to alter their appearance as a way of sharing the car’s status with other road users (something that will become ever more fundamental as we head towards automated driving).
The MINI Vision Urbanaut can be driven or autonomous
Today’s MINI brand is arguably an even bigger global success than the 60s original. In London, where I live, there are MINIs of various customized colors and trims everywhere and drivers remain largely youthful. Yet, there is something missing from the modern MINI formula. These are premium stylish gadgets, but the marque could be so much more.
At the time of the Suez Crisis in 1959, British Motor Corporation’s astute response to the demand for affordable motoring was the Mini economy vehicle. The Issigonis design was genius. The tiny motor car he invented for BMC could pack in more passengers than any other in its comparable size - and it was super-fun to drive too. The Boomer generation and, in particular, young urbanites loved the Mini. It was effortless and iconoclastic and starred in The Italian Job alongside another 60s icon Michael Caine. And the car remains the symbol of counterculture. Now, MINI has a chance to becomes the symbol of the progressive 2020s - this brave new decade we are about to enter - perhaps even become the future personal transport choice for generation Z.
Vision Urbanaut communicates the car's modes, the "Moments" to other road users through lighting
“MINI is so much more than mobility – the brand offers a way of life,” Adrian van Hooydonk, creative director for the BMW Group to include MINI, tells me over the phone. “It is seen as a positive car brand, so much so that you can get away with anything in traffic in a MINI which is possibly not the case with a BMW or Rolls-Royce.”
Van Hooydonk is impressed with how customers have responded to the latest MINI Electric. “It has been a runaway success,” he says. “MINI customers typically live in urban environments and I believe they are even more ready for electric drive and new ways of looking at mobility than perhaps our other brands. We can definitely go faster in this direction,” he continues, adding after a moment’s reflection: “The Vision Urbanaut shows how MINI can take our BMW iNext thoughts to another level. I think we can use MINI to push these concepts further.”
Read more about BMW Group’s future vision for BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce through my interview with Adrian van Hooydonk at #NEXTGen and the reveal of the new iX; see the MINI Electric on the road; and find out why Rolls-Royce sees modern luxury as “post-opulence”.
