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Continuing its overwhelming success story, the Mini brand is now taking an entirely new approach with the Mini crossover concept.
The Mini crossover concept is a design study offering a fascinating outlook at a new facet of the brand powerfully expressed by a truly innovative body concept - the fourth body variant, following the classic two-door hatch, the Mini Convertible and the Mini Clubman.
The Mini crossover concept is a new model variant for the first time measuring more than four metres in length, with four wheel drive, four passenger doors and four single seats.
These features are expected to appeal to the modern, urban individuals who enjoy and appreciate the emotional design, space and flexibility as well as the driving pleasure offered by the Mini brand.
All innovations presented in the Mini crossover concept point to the future and show what might be possible for the Mini brand to expand the characteristic Mini feeling adding another new dimension that stands out not only as an unconventional, but also as a truly exceptional four-seater.
With two doors on each side of the car, the Mini crossover concept offers ample space and comfort for both front and rear seat passengers and enhances the options and qualities offered so far by existing Mini models.
An interior highlight is the innovative central instrument in three-dimensional finish, the Mini centre globe.
Featured for the first time in an automobile worldwide, this combined control and display unit formed as a globe sets new standards for the integrated control of entertainment, communication, navigation, and vehicle functions. Instead of a conventional centre consol, the Mini crossover concept comes with a fastening rail referred to as the Mini centre rail which extends from the dashboard all the way to the tailgate of the car.
Holders for entertainment and telecommunication devices, cup holders, storage units and boxes may be conveniently attached to this rail and subsequently pushed forward or backward along the entire length of the car.
Designers have opted for natural, authentic shades for the interior while utilising three exclusive materials - around the instrument panel genuine wood trim extends across the entire width of the car; armrests on the doors and the inlays in the footwells are made of massive lime wood; and inlays made of specially hardened, lagoon-blue glass highlight the door linings and the surrounds on the air vents.
"The innovative character of the Mini crossover concept opens up new dimensions and although this time we have decided to break away from the history of the Mini brand, the concept car features many of the typical Mini characteristics," said Phil Horton, managing director, BMW Group Middle East.
