MINI Rocketman concept: going back to the origins

Many have said that the BMW MINI is no longer mini nowadays. The brand is answering to those complaints by presenting at the Geneva Motor Show the Rocketman, a concept car that recreates the exterior dimensions of the original 1959 Alec Issigonis design, within a package adapted to modern days.

The Rocketman Concept is 3419mm long, 1907mm wide and 1398mm high and is a three-plus-one seater built around a carbon spaceframe, which is visible between the front wheels and the doors.

The doors feature double-hinged joints and integrated sills, and give access to an interior with three different possible configurations thanks to a sliding seat system. The first one offers, according to MINI, “a full-blooded driving experience", in this case the driver and passenger seats are pushed back in the car together with the instrument cluster, handing the optimum driving position. When extra passenger space is needed, the passenger seat can slide forward to reveal the first rear seat. For short journeys, the MINI Rocketman is able slide the driver's seat and instrument cluster forward in order to accommodate an extra passenger.

On the MINI Rocketman the lower section can be pulled out like a drawer, extending the concept car body by 350mm. This new interpretation and extension of Issigonis' original downwards-opening boot design gives the chance to the car to grow when four people and their luggage are being transported.

Thanks to an intelligent folding mechanism the cargo drawer can be locked either higher up or further forward, keeping valuables out of sight and protected from the weather.

Another feature of the Rocketman concept is its glass roof which is segmented by illuminated braces in order to recreate the look of Britain's Union Jack flag. These braces are white and visible through the roof even when they're not lit up.

The most important thing is that for a long time there have been rumours of MINI wanting to produce a smaller entry-level hatchback, and the Rocketman definitely comes to prove that intention.

As for the powertrain that will be installed on the Rocketman, MINI hasn’t revealed much, saying that the concept was conceived to combine "enhanced sprinting ability" with average fuel consumption of 94mpg.