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Since the new generation of Minis debuted in 2000, various body styles have appeared, and we can’t exactly call them “mini” anymore. But that doesn’t stop them from developing bigger ideas, both literally and figuratively.
His latest concept represents a new way of thinking for the Oxford-based brand. It’s called Urbanaut Concept and they want to make the idea of a living room on wheels come true.
The Mini Urbanaut Concept is nothing like the current range, which is a bold direction for a brand that sticks to retro cues. There is a reason for its bubble shape, and that is to maximize interior space. That said, it’s not a total departure from the Mini design language. Dynamic LED lights form the classic Mini face shape.
But the highlight here is the interior. Thanks to its electric powertrain, the Urbanaut Concept has a flat floor. Together with the rounded high ceiling design, Mini made the “rolling room” concept possible. Instead of bench seating, you get an L-shaped sofa and there’s even a bed if you want to stretch inside. Other furniture includes a swivel chair and a side table.
Another interesting design element is the steering wheel. Being an autonomous vehicle, it remains hidden in autonomous driving mode. When the driver decides to take the wheel, he steps out of the sofa that rises from below to the driver’s level. Instead of a cluster of instruments, all relevant driving information is projected onto the massive windshield.
Of course, we don’t expect all of these to appear in production Minis within a year or two. The idea of a self-contained living room on wheels can take a while to become a reality. But once that happens, it could make commuting during morning rush hours less stressful.
