Former BMW designer and now head of exterior design at MINI – Christopher Weil – spent some time with us in London at the unveil of the new MINI Vision Next 100 Concept. The MINI Vision Next 100 focuses on the idea of allowing drivers in urban city centers to hail a MINI perfectly tailored to their preferences, wherever they are and at any time. Once inside, the MINI will actually adapt itself to the driver’s individual tastes and preferences.
To deliver this futuristic project, the MINI design team created a sort of “blank canvas” design, where the MINI Vision NEXT 100 is wrapped in a sort of silver skin that can change colors and designs, depending on the driver’s preferences. The information is controlled through the “Cooperizer”, a centrally-positioned circular instrument, similar to the center screen on current MINIs which changes color like a kaleidoscope, as the multi-faceted digital intelligence selects different personality, entertainment, communications and autonomous settings for the driver.
The Vision Next 100 retains the typical MINI design cues and proportions, including the iconic roof. Yet 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. A set of thin led lamps are embedded on the leading edge of the front fenders, while from the rear, the futuristic MINI shows some prominent wheel houses, a high belt line floating roof and a full width LED tail lamps.
Here is Weil talking about the emotional concept:
