Mini Concepts At Frankfurt

This year’s Frankfurt International Motor Show turned out to be a hive of MINI activity, with not one but two concepts on the stand. Modern MINI went along and caught up with Head of MINI Exterior Design, Christopher Weil.

- Martyn Collins 

Why are these concepts significant? Well, they’re the best clues yet as to how MINI will update the current F56 hatch and where they’re going with both the future electric model and the as yet unconfirmed ultimate performance model, the GP.

MINI electric concept

MINI are on an electric roll this year, with the launch of the MINI Countryman Cooper S E PHEV. This new concept is designed to show what the production version, which will be built at the Oxford Plant, could look like. As part of BMW Group’s NUMBER ONE > NEXT strategy, where every model will have an electric version, this concept also demonstrates how the MINI brand and electrification could work together.

Like every other MINI model, the electric concept focusses on driving excitement and inspiring design. Outside, the basic shape is clearly recognisable from the current F56 MINI hatch, but there have been significant changes. From the front, there’s no grille, but the characteristic hexagonal shape remains, with an accent bar in Striking Yellow and an E badge which, along with the revised circular, all-LED headlights, certainly draws the eye. The large air intakes on the front apron are distinctive, smoothing the air over the re-profiled front wheel arches.

Finished in contrasting matt Reflection Silver with a Striking Yellow roof colour scheme, the yellow looks white in the light of the motor show stand and similar to the original MINI E. The E badge is subtly picked out in gloss on the A-panels and the front of the doors, and on repeaters on the sharper wing mirrors. There are chrome-less flush door handles too.

3D printed air dam

To further optimise the aerodynamics, the front air dam and side skirts have been produced by innovative 3D printing. There are distinctive four-spoke wheels too.