The Mini Vision Urbanaut Concept Car Is A Living Room on Wheels

BMW Group has unveiled the Mini Vision Urbanaut, which is a concept car that provides an interior space that can be used in many ways and offers a whole new ease of movement inside the car.

The German carmaker said in a statement on Tuesday that this digital vision vehicle offers more interior space and versatility than ever before, but still on a minimal footprint.

“The Mini brand has always stood for ‘Clever Use of Space’. In the Mini Vision Urbanaut, we extend private space far into the public realm, creating completely new and enriching experiences,” explains Adrian van Hooydonk, Head of BMW Group Design.

The MINI Vision Urbanaut uses three curated Mini moments – “Chill”, “Wanderlust” and “Vibe” – to present a wide range of possible usage scenarios.

The Chill moment invites you to catch a breath and pause in the here and now. The car becomes a kind of retreat, a haven where you can relax – or work with full concentration – during a journey.

Wanderlust is the only Mini moment where the Mini Vision Urbanaut is being driven or driving with automated driving functions.

“The moment Vibe puts time with other people at centre stage – in every way”, adds Oliver Heilmer, Head of Mini Design.

The exterior and interior change to reflect the Mini moment at hand and give the experience the best possible stage. An all-encompassing user experience design, sustainable materials and a purely electric drive system are additional ingredients of the overall concept.

One space, a multitude of possibilities.

The interior of the Mini Vision Urbanaut provides the ideal environment in which to go on a journey but is also the aim of the journey. Having arrived at the chosen destination, it can transform into a living room in just a few simple steps.

Occupants enter the innovative cabin through a large sliding door in the side of the car. The cutting-edge slide and swivel mechanism is the ideal design for urban driving conditions where space is at a premium. There are no other doors on the driver’s side or front passenger side.

Since the MINI Vision Urbanaut does not have a combustion engine requiring cooling air, the grille assumes a new function: it now serves as an intelligence panel for automated driving.

Occupying an exposed position in the C-pillar on the driver’s side are the “charms”. They offer reminders of places travelled, festivals or other events in the form of pins or stickers, and are presented as graphic collector’s items behind glass, as if in a display cabinet.

The MINI charms are also an expression of wanderlust and show what the owner has experienced with the MINI Vision Urbanaut – like the stickers on camper vans or badges on walking poles in days gone by.

One charm is dedicated to the #Next Gen platform on which the MINI Vision Urbanaut will celebrate its world premiere. Another has a QR code which, when scanned, takes you to MINI.com.