The new MINI family is taking shape. The British brand presents the MINI Concept Aceman, an initial preview of its future model generation's new design. In this concept car we can see design-based and technological innovations from MINI that outline the brand-typical driving pleasure of the future. The first MINI crossover model for the premium small cars segment is striking, with purely electric drive, a clear and pared-back design language that has been dubbed "Charismatic Simplicity", a new digital interior space experience and a material concept which uses absolutely no leather or chrome. In the next model generation the MINI Cooper in the iconic three-door body shape, which has been reinterpreted time and again over its entire 60-plus-year history, will be joined by a crossover model for the first time. "The MINI Concept Aceman provides an initial glimpse of a completely new vehicle, bridging the space between the MINI Cooper and the MINI Countryman in the model family's future," says Stefanie Wurst, Head of the MINI Brand. "This concept car reflects how MINI is reinventing itself for its all-electric future and what the brand stands for: an electrified go-kart feel, an immersive digital experience and a strong focus on a minimal environmental footprint."
Characteristic elements with attention to detail and a typical MINI twist
The clear exterior surface design is combined with signature features that emphasise an attention to detail and at the same time boast a typical MINI twist. The oblong hole outline is a recurring element with many instances, including the door openers - integrated flush with the surface for the first time in a MINI - as well as the exterior mirror caps and the MINI logo in the lower door section. The design also features in numerous details in the interior. The equally distinctive Union Jack design, acknowledging the brand's British roots, is seen in both the rear light graphic and on the robust roof rack. 20-inch light-alloy wheels fill the MINI Concept Aceman's generously proportioned wheel arches. The triangular outline in the centre of the rim, giving the spokes visual depth and dynamism, is a special graphic feature which is generally only noticed on second glance.
Expressive exterior colours for a lively vehicle character
The MINI Concept Aceman's youthful, lively character is underlined by an expressive paint finish for the body and a stylishly coordinated contrasting colour for the roof. The Icy Sunglow Green variant body paint, a light turquoise shade diving into gold, features a shade that comes through with varying levels of intensity depending on the light and the perspective. This means that it impressively tracks the subtle three-dimensionality of the surfaces and lines in the exterior. The MINI Concept Aceman roof is painted in traditional metallic British Racing Green. The dark green trim on the lower edge of the body and on the wheel arches, similar to the colour scheme on the roof, lend an attractive contrast to the light exterior colour. Splashes of neon green provide a lively effect of depth. The roof rack has green fastening straps and an iridescent coating that creates a metallic sheen covering a wide colour spectrum of blue, turquoise, green and violet. Basic navy blue is combined with blue-grey painted spokes on the alloy wheels. The underride protection elements at the front and rear of the MINI Concept Aceman are in royal blue. The front and rear valences are also each fitted with two distinctive loudspeakers that draw the attention - not only acoustically but visually as well. The loudspeakers, which accompany the welcome scenario with a distinctive model-specific sound, feature an eye-catching pink-orange paint finish.
Interior: MINImalism redefined
The MINI Concept Aceman interior is also dominated by a reduced design with clear contours and carefully executed details. It combines innovative technology with newly interpreted, yet typical MINI design features. The concept car's cockpit is consistently reduced to the bare essentials, just as the designer of the classic MINI had in mind in 1959. Alec Issigonis designed an interior which, in addition to the seats, steering wheel and gear lever, needed nothing more than a central round instrument and toggle switch bar to experience unrivalled driving pleasure. Wide-open and gently curved surfaces in the area of the door panels and the dashboard give a generous feeling of space. The large panoramic glass roof of the MINI Concept Aceman provides an ambience flooded in light. Its glass surface is patterned by the transverse and diagonal struts of the roof rack, whose structure picks up on the Union Jack flag motif, reminding us of the brand's origins when gazing up at the sky from the interior.
Progressive colour and material design in the interior
The purist interior design is combined with a colour and material scheme specially developed for the MINI Concept Aceman. The ambience is enhanced by innovative, high-quality materials selected with a conscious eye on sustainability. Charming colour contrasts catch the eye on the minimalist door panels and in the dashboard area. There, the khaki green base colour for the background surfaces is combined with knitted textile perimeters made of light grey recycled polyester with a slight blue tinge and featuring precisely placed decorative seams. The MINI Concept Aceman seats feature a discreet geometry with integrated headrests. Their materials as well as their colouring and graphic patterns come even more into focus. Seating surfaces have a lively, three-dimensional look achieved by a combination of textile flat knit, velvet velour and waffle weave, an over-dimensional houndstooth pattern and embroidered X and O graphics. The MINI Concept Aceman is innovative in demonstrating the great potential of textile surfaces for modern forms of design expression.
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