MINI Vision Next 100 previews another century of MINI ~ station of gear

MINI Vision Next 100 concept - reveal front

MINI reveals its Vision Next 100 concept celebrating 100 years of BMW and looking ahead to the next century of MINI cars

2016-06-16 12:00

MINI has demonstrated its vision of the next 100 years of motoring with a striking, compact new concept unveiled as part of owner BMW’s centenary celebrations.

The MINI Vision Next 100 was revealed at an event at the Roundhouse in North London, and follows on from the BMW Next 100 concept that made its debut earlier this year. The Rolls-Royce Vision Next 100 was also shown at the same London event.

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While the BMW concept was designed to provide a glimpse of what ‘sheer driving pleasure’ might involve in the future, MINI has gone down a different route. Its diminutive concept is claimed to offer a “completely individualised, permanently available form of urban mobility”.

A new level of personalisation

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MINI Vision Next 100 concept - reveal side

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What this means in reality is a model that takes personalisation and connectivity to a new level – and one that you probably won’t even own, but can drive itself to pick you up 24 hours a day and tailor its appearance to suit your mood.

The car features what is described as a “discreet silver skin”; in essence a blank canvas that can adapt to whoever is using the car. Personalised projections can change the car’s appearance, with the roof colour and interior lighting mirroring the exterior look.

While classic MINI design cues like the circular lights and floating roof design are in evidence, the concept gives a bold vision of the future with a vast windscreen that extends all the way down to the glass grille to give unparalleled forward visibility. The bodywork is moulded around oversize wheels, curving out at each corner to envelope them in powerful-looking wheelarches. On the flanks, the doors slide forwards and back opening up the entire side of the vehicle for easier access.

Inside, the centrally mounted circular instrument that has become a familiar feature of MINIs can illuminate like a kaleidoscope and has been labelled ‘The Cooperizer’. It’s the hub of what is termed the car’s ‘digital intelligence’ and selects bespoke settings for each driver covering entertainment, communication and autonomous driving options.

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MINI Vision Next 100 concept - rear quarter

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There’s also an ‘Inspire Me’ button which can check your data and recommend points of interest or even switch the car into John Cooper Works performance mode.

MINI's fun factor retained

At the heart of every MINI, though, has to be the fun factor, and the Vision Next 100 is claimed to deliver the go-kart handling synonomous with the brand, with a minimalist interior allowing the driver to focus entirely on getting the most out of the car on the road.

And if you’re feeling lazy, the steering wheel can simply be moved into the space between the driver and passenger and the car will take over the driving.

As you’d expect on a futuristic concept, MINI is highlighting its eco credentials with the use of sustainable materials such as aluminium, Alcantara and recycled plastic rather than wood and leather. Plus the car is geared towards sharing, with MINI claiming its autonomous driving capability would allow it to coordinate nights out for like-minded individuals by picking them up at different points.

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Perhaps most intriguing of all, though, is the compactness of the new concept, due to the efficient packaging of the zero emission drivetrain and the reduced need for crumple zones. It gives another tantalising glimpse of what a mini MINI, much anticipated by fans, could look like.

Head of MINI Design Anders Warming summed up the concept, saying: “The MINI Vision Next 100 shows how MINI’s unique look on the world could look in the future.” And Adrian van Hooydonk, senior vice president BMW Group Design, added: “MINI looks to offer smart and bespoke mobility in cities that engages all the senses.”

Give us your thoughts on the MINI Vision Next 100 concept car in the comments section below...

Graham Hope

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