Mini MINI revealed

MINI Rocketman exclusively revealed to Auto Express, stars at Geneva and offers bold look in smaller package

Auto Express Car Reviews

Text: Luke Madden / Photos: Pete Gibson

February 2011

Get ready for a MINI launch! The British firm has announced a daring new concept called the Rocketman – and it blasted off at the Geneva Motor Show.


	Boasting seats for four in  a package not much bigger  than the original Sixties model,  it’s the mini MINI we’ve all been waiting for

Boasting seats for four in a package not much bigger than the original Sixties model, it’s the mini MINI we’ve all been waiting for – and Auto Express was granted exclusive access to the newcomer before the expo.

At 3,419mm long and 1,907mm wide, the baby MINI is about 40cm longer and 50cm wider than the original.

The Rocketman borrows technology from owner BMW’s forthcoming Megacity electric car, which uses a carbon fibre spaceframe to reduce weight – and rather than hide it, MINI has left it exposed around the grille and front apron.

At the rear, the hexagonal lines mirror the nose, and MINI’s famous ‘Coke-can’ exhaust pipe gets a central position in the bumper. The quirky, handle-style tail-lights project on to the bodywork, rather than face straight out, and incorporate the brake and indicator lamps.

The trademark Union Jack roof makes a return as a full-length glass panel, using the car’s structural beams to create the diagonal and horizontal lines.

Getting in to the Rocketman isn’t as difficult as you might think thanks to the double-hinged doors which allow for a wide opening.

Despite the cabin’s small dimensions, MINI claims it is spacious enough for four adults, and the seats can be arranged into three different layouts. As a two-seater, the front chairs move as far back as needed, while the instrument cluster can also be moved.

Then there's a fourth chair in the rear, which is a temporary device that folds down out of a backpack attached to the rear seat. It’s a similar configuration to that in Toyota’s innovative iQ.

There's a clever boot too. It consists of two parts, with the upper section a traditional roof-hinged hatch and the bottom part a drawer.

There’s no official word  on what sits under the bonnet of the newcomer, but it’s likely that any production model will be powered by BMW’s forthcoming three-cylinder petrol and diesel engines. All MINI has said is that the Rocketman will be capable of 94mpg.

The best news of all is that the firm is committed to making sure each of its concept cars goes into production – with the exception of the Beachcomber, which was unable to meet safety regulations. So, the MINI we’ve all been waiting for is almost certain to reach showrooms in around five years time.

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31 Comments

Rocket man, burnin and a jiving all night long!

Gozooks... Mini have made a... real Mini!

Wow, what has took em so long to do this? Thumbs-up!!!

Uber desirable as a city slickers essential accessory, and in a sort of iPhone or iPad kinda way... Well done Mini and BMW!

Will it fit into a lift? maybe a brief case to take on Holiday ; )

By LegioIXHispana on 23 February, 2011, 10:28am

I Know It's Only A Concept...

But I hope that is not the 'signed-off' stlyling. Front on the face looks a bit gormless and the crazy rear lights. Double-hinged doors makes you think why doesn't every car have them.

By LANMAN on 23 February, 2011, 11:04am

Mini mini Love!

I love this! It's just so diddy and cute! I think it will fit into my pocket, forget the briefcase ;-)

Meanwhile for brilliant Mini leasing deals.. you know who've got you covered!
http://conceptvehicleleasing.blogspot.com/

By conceptvehicleleasing on 23 February, 2011, 11:09am

mini mini

Those rear lights will be great for boarders and cyclists to grab for an easy uphill ride.Not very nice at front or back though interior looks great .better bre made in the uk unlike the Countryman not buying one of those now I realise it is subcontracted to magna so you atr throwing away over £1000 because of this and quality not as goos hence new x3 made in USA BMW factory and not magna like old one

By coolkid on 23 February, 2011, 11:18am

Going back to its roots...

One word that 'conceptvehicleleasing' mentioned in his/her comment - 'cute'. Its the one word that summed up the original Mini but which has never been applied to the BMW based incarnations.

This model will sell by the bucketload, appealing to a potentially massive market that Mini/BMW are slowly losing with their increasingly gargantuan clones.

Well done to the designers!

By ajjm65 on 23 February, 2011, 2:27pm

Are they smoking something?

Mini Elton John special edition, what a joke, about as viable or as practical as a chocolate fire guard, so it will sell by the bucket load to the ipad generation. The fact that it will look nothing like that if it goes into production is neither here nor there.

By Shaun34 on 23 February, 2011, 5:08pm

Shaun34 are you smoking something?

Of course some of the concept features wont make it to the production line... (prob, doors, lights etc)

But that is why it is a 'concept' and not the full production version presented here...

Those looking for a smart, small and posh little city car, well then this Mini will be just right for that particular buyer!

Nobody is really wanting large 4dr's that are over powered and over excessed lumps of metal, if all they are doing is trundling around town or city scapes and have very limited parking...

The LupoGti was fondly remembered, and this small Mini should be a fun little car....

If you think it impractical Shaun, well that more down to your own personal lifestyle rather than those whom this car is actually aimed at. (surely?)

By LegioIXHispana on 23 February, 2011, 7:57pm

Baz

All show. Get the quality right. Fed up with expensive repairs on mine. Never again

By barry on 24 February, 2011, 9:59am

First thoughts were coooo! a funky new mini.

Now I look at it and it feels like a bit of a tart's banquet. All it needs is a glitter ball, leopard skin seats and a whip and you could rent it by the hour.

By craiglife on 24 February, 2011, 10:20am

The mini is back for real this time, sort of!

I know this is a concept car, but couldn't they've made the car at least look like an modern evolution of the real mini, they've got the original concept down, tiny car, lightweight but I think this concept is just plain ugly, especially those horrid rear lights which look very breaky, things like that though rarely make it to production, fair play to them for trying to bring back the mini magic, because the Mini now, anyway you slice it, is just another modern hatchback, apart from its retro styling cues, it's nothing really that special, I've driven a BMW Mini as well, I've honestly driven better, but I'm biased, I'm more a classic car man, It's nice move what they've done, but I still wouldn't rush out to buy one, at any age.

By manmaschine on 24 February, 2011, 10:21am

Clever!

It's a clever design of yet another starnd of Mini - unbelievable but fantastic! There's got to be a market for this!!

The biggest single issue I see though is that those doors may be a potential issue when trying to exit the vehicle in most city car parks.

By briankeys on 24 February, 2011, 10:28am

"Exclusively revealed" eh?

Was it also "exclusively revealed" to Yahoo Cars, Car Pages, Autoblog, Daily Mail, Pistonheads, Cars UK MSN, Telegraph Motoring, Dexigner etc etc etc as well? All on the same day as your exclusive reveal, apart from the one or two whose "exclusive reveal" was before yours?
Interesting.
Or, was that a bit more AE sensationalist Bullsh*t?
Yes. Yes it was. I dont think you can do an article without sensationalism and "artistic licence".

By Tazfan2 on 24 February, 2011, 10:37am

"Exclusively revealed" eh?

By Tazfan2 on 24 February, 2011, 10:39am

Clever!

By briankeys on 24 February, 2011, 10:54am

ROCKETMAN? more like Racketman

Yet again. BMW are doing the MINI to death.
They seem to be determined to extract as much money out of the brand as they can.
To me, the MINI has become Naff.
Its lost its image as the car for everyone and has the image of the essex hairdresser.
Plus i'm not convinced of the reliability.

By toycollector on 24 February, 2011, 11:18am

Aw naw!

Imagine trying to wash the car? It would be a nightmare!

By Cinqster on 24 February, 2011, 11:23am

How much smaller than the original?

I really like the look of this but, you say in the article:
"At 3,419mm long and 1,907mm wide, the baby MINI is about 40cm longer and 50cm wider than the original."

Wouldn't it be more honest to say "At 3,419mm long and 1,907mm wide, the baby MINI is about 400mm longer and 500mm wider than the original."?

Or 15% longer and 25% wider than the original?

Or, at 1907mm wide, this "tiny" car is wider than a Jaguar X-Type.

By jimgunnee on 24 February, 2011, 11:51am

mini mini???????

I love the doors what a great idea why don't others use this idea (no more car park dents) Not so sure about the grille it seems out of proportion from the rest of the car. Why oh why only 3 seats and an excuse for a seat come on BMW get your act together sort it out lets have 4 seats please. Maybe you should cut down on all the electronics that are not really needed to make more space.
BMW you have more resources than austin or morris had yet Alex managed a complete package with loads of room perhaps you need to go back to the drawing board or ask the motorist does he really need abc abs tc ebd etc etc that way you can save space.

By del55 on 24 February, 2011, 12:55pm

I would vote for this concept.

With a life-time of motoring behind me, I judge the latest concept Mini as excellent. I bought my first 'brand-new' car in 1964 ( a Mini Cooper ) and at 71 would certainly be tempted by this concept, if it went into production. At my age I cannot be regarded as a 'hoon' but I like to drive in a 'spirited' fashion - just as I did in '64. There are plenty of originals still available if that is what you want but this car is the original in a new guise. It gets my vote.

By Gregorius on 24 February, 2011, 1:09pm

smike

Nearer -
The original mini was tiny outside, but by remarkable packaging comfortable for 4 adults inside. The BMW mini, was large outside - (golf footprint) but tiny inside, with no rear space or boot.
This car is far closer to the original design brief, if a bit wide.
Unfortunately, having finally got rid of Chris Bumgle, BMW appear to have recruited juveniles as replacements. Some good tech, and stance, but infantile styling. For goodness sake, hire a competent adult, preferably Italian - at the moment, BMW has for some years now offered styling that actualy deters some of it's potential customers from purchasing, despite other virtues.

By smike on 24 February, 2011, 1:30pm

I would still prefer an updated ADO15 Mini Cooper 1964

At the orginal 1959 size and seat layout for 4 persons etc but with all the modern gizmos like new carbon fibre floorpan & modern suspension and 1.5 litre twin cam turbo diesel and 6 speed DSG box and state of the art auto climate control, electronics and instruments etc.

And with modern exciting new colours and accessories such as Android plug in mobile and MP3 music etc.

Why not? Maybe someone else in the UK should build one and not BMW in Munich?

By vandenplas4litre on 24 February, 2011, 2:29pm

mammyyy mammy

LOOKS LIKE AL JONSON FROM THE FRONT

By jemyd on 24 February, 2011, 6:26pm

"ROCKETMAN?" Hahahaha!

No ...be serious! ...What is it's real name going to be??
It needn't have taken £thousands and, presumably, many meetings to realise that 'MINI-MINOR' is what this car should be called.

By ceebeegeebee on 24 February, 2011, 6:52pm

Genius, well not really.

A small car called a Mini what a great idea who would have thought of that? Oh wait BL did some 40 odd years ago.

By marc100 on 24 February, 2011, 9:45pm

Not a concept car

Seems that alot of people are going "wow" over the look of this car. Don't forget that the whole design of this car is actually around in car mod enthusiast already, the only difference here is a main stream possible production line of this model. if you want your car to be modded with LED designs on the roof and inside the car, and the rear tailgates, and the headlamps, then it has been possible for some time. Mini will just cash in (over priced yet again!) on what is already available in the mod market. Nothing new here (apart from perhaps the engine).

By aarontp on 25 February, 2011, 1:34pm

Old concept ideas

Just read some of previous comments and "Double-hinged doors makes you think why doesn't every car have them." and
"Well done to the designers!"

The door designs have been around since the 70's.

Designers have just amended another car designers ideas (like most do), yes it looks great but none of the ideas are new here just butchered and you will pay a premium for it! Suckers, just the same as Apple followers pay a premium for iphones whereas android is alot better and cheaper!! Marketing is for mugs.

By aarontp on 25 February, 2011, 1:38pm

At Last

What the brand has been crying out for, a mini-sized MINI.

By erly5 on 25 February, 2011, 1:49pm

nothing new

Well, the double hinged doors on this concept are nothing new.
The Renault Avantime already had them years ago.

For the rest it is as with the "big" New Mini, fuzzy styling, jazzy interior and the hype will do the rest to sell the production
version of this probably too expensive for what it is BMW product.

So, nothing new really

By takata on 27 February, 2011, 1:06pm

s'OK

s'OK, but it's a concept init, and you'll never be able to buy it.
The new B-Max on the other hand - amazing!!
Autoexpress a bit behind the curve on this one - nothing new there lol
http://www.autodeclics.com/geneve/32301-ford_b_max.html

By dillinghamp on 28 February, 2011, 2:20pm