MINI Vision Urbanaut concept
What we have here is the MINI Vision Urbanaut. A concept car that appeared digitally before, but now has a full-scale model. MINI debuted the car at the Digital-Life-Design Summer conference in Munich.
As a concept car, MINI has no plans to take this into production. With how out there some of this model seems in comparison to the rest of the entire brand, that makes a lot of sense. However, we can expect to see elements of the Vision Urbanaut appear in MINI cars to come over the next decade.
“At MINI we see it as our responsibility to preserve and develop the unique characteristics of our brand over the upcoming years and those further ahead.” – Bernd Körber, Head of MINI
Is it a pod on wheels, or something more?
The Vision Urbanaut is essentially a pod-like EV that measures just a bit longer than the Countryman crossover. There are no hard lines and sharp edges, everything is smooth, rounded and dominated by LEDs. The lighter silver panelling hiding many lights but even the wheels light up.
“With our eyes fixed on the future, we have developed an idea, with the MINI Vision Urbanaut, of how we can take the MINI attributes – as here, with the focus on the ‘Clever Use of Space’ – into the future of mobility and interpret them in a typically MINI way. It brings the user’s personal space into the car and opens up various possibilities for them, from creating an urban oasis to experiencing freedom in the ‘Wanderlust’ moment. The MINI Vision Urbanaut represents our image of how MINI’s ‘Clever Use of Space’ could provide an answer to the needs of future cities and lifestyles.” – Bernd Körber
The MINI Vision Urbanaut doesn’t want to drive.
While the exterior definitely drew our attention for some time, it’s the interior where MINI went all out. The electric platform allows for a lot of space to create that MINI calls “reminiscent of a modern living space.” This car is not one designed for driving as the main purpose.
You might think cars are made to drive, and you would be right. However, out of the three ‘drive modes that MINI calls “moments,” only one of them can actually drive.
The first of these modes is called Chill. This mode is for tuning the outside world out. To really set the mood, interior lights mimic a forest canopy and the instrument panel turns into a table lamp. The idea is to forget the outside and forget that you are even in a car.
Next is the Vibe mode. This one, in contrast to Chill, opens up to focus on socialising. The doors slide open and even the windshield lifts up, really allowing the air to flow through. The instrument panel removes all car-like features and turns into a pure entertainment console. Instead of a mood set by lights, the Vision Urbanaut projects graphics around the car that react to the music if you have some playing.
Finally, there is Wanderlust. This is the only mode that can drive which has the instrument cluster return to you and display an animated route with arrival times and other attractions that appear on the way.
Source: BMW Group
