The new Mini Rocketman Concept is live at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, displaying Mini’s latest concept car – a lightweight, citycar with some technological advancements.
The Mini Rocketman is 3 419 mm long, 1 907 mm wide and is 1 398 mm tall. The Rocketman is built on a carbon space frame architecture to keep weight and fuel consumption to a minimum. The carbon structure of the body frame has been left exposed in the foot wells and around the centre console to highlight the technology and Mini’s sporty appeal.
Among the car’s key design and functionality-related innovations are the two side doors. When opened, the double-hinged doors pivot outwards complete with their sills, providing easy access for the driver and front passenger. A split two-part tailgate consists of one section that is attached to the roof and opens extremely high, while a lower section extends out 350 mm from the body in the form of a drawer unit. The split design allows room to be made for pieces of luggage and travel items even when the car is carrying four occupants.
Mini say the combined fuel consumption is 3.0 L/100 km, so expect it to be powered by BMW’s 3-cylinder turbocharged engines of the future.
Although Mini’s concepts in the recent past have translated to production models, we don’t expect to see the Rocketman in production form any time soon, but we do expect its technology and innovation to be present on Minis of the future.
