The Mini Rocketman Concept has been thrust into the spotlight once more, thanks to new livery that is intended to celebrate the 2012 London Olympic Games.

The new-look concept is based on the original Rocketman first seen at the 2011 Geneva motor show, which was designed to preview the brand’s future component and design ideas and test the waters for a ‘mini Mini’.

This ‘new’ Rocketman concept has been given a Union Jack-inspired colour scheme both inside and out. The blue bodywork, with red and white accents, is designed as a tribute to the Olympics and to emphasise the Mini’s British heritage. Exposed sections of carbon fibre hint at the Rocketman’s innovative underpinnings, which include a spaceframe made from carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic, while the grille is made up from interlinked Mini logos.

The colour scheme continues on the inside. Among the highlights is the glass roof bracing, which runs horizontally, lengthways and diagonally and can be illuminated at night by optical fibres to recreate the appearance of the Union Jack flag. Exposed carbon elements are visible throughout, in a subtle reminder of car’s lightweight carbonfibre-reinforced plastic space frame construction. The minimalistic instrument panel comprises only a tiny transparent plastic arch with a simple illuminated speed display, while the intricate lettering listing every host city of the modern-day Olympics across the door and dashboard inserts is a clever nod to the past.

The new Mini Rocketman concept will be displayed at the BMW Group pavilion near the Olympic and Paralympic Village throughout the Games, which kicks off on July 27 with the opening ceremony.