MINI Vision Next 100
If the current MINI is what the brand
calls "the perfect premium compact car for the modern city", its
successor should incorporate advanced digitalization, connectivity and
self-driving tech into what is already a long-standing successful recipe.
The Vision Next 100
concept has dropped the current generation's retro looks almost entirely in
favor of a cleaner, more innovative appearance, much like the Rolls-Royce
Vision Next 100 concept unveiled next to it.
The MINI however even comes with its own
motto, "Every MINI is my MINI", which is meant to reflect the
company's take on car-sharing. In the future, customers/users will be able to
request a MINI tailored to their personal requirements regardless of their location
or time of day. According to the automaker, the fully-autonomous "MINI of
the future" will be available 24/7, and will even be able to adapt to the
driver's individual tastes, interests and preferences.
In terms of aesthetics, the concept is
wrapped in a "discreet, silver skin" to which MINI designers are
referring to as a "blank canvas". The "canvas" can be used
in a number of ways, depending on the individual user's mood - even the roof
and the lighting of the interior would respond the the driver.
At the same time, future MINI cars
should remain "small and nimble" so that drivers would actually
"prefer to drive themselves - as often as possible," added van
Hooydonk. With this in mind, MINI has added a so-called John Cooper Works
performance mode to the Vision Next 100 concept. When the car is driving itself
though, the steering wheel will slide across to the center of the dashboard,
along with the pedals - therefore providing the driver with increased leg room.
As a matter of fact, the driver can choose to sit either on the left or on the
right-hand side and both the steering wheel and the pedals can be moved
accordingly. There's also a difference in seat configuration between dynamic
driving and regular driving where the seat will provide additional lateral
support for the driver and front passenger with the help of active elements.
Whenever the driver doesn't come into
play, the MINI of the future will travel occupant-free to a charging station or
a cleaning service or directly to the next user it's supposed to pick up.
Another interesting piece of tech is the
'Cooperizer' - which is what MINI is calling this concept's
centrally-positioned circular instrument. The system controls entertainment,
communications and autonomous-driving and can be influenced by the driver
through the rotary controls.
There's also an 'Inspire Me' button
through which the Cooperizer checks downloaded user data and selects
information that the driver might find useful. For example, it could suggest a
set-up configured for an artist the driver admires, or it could just as well
recommend a challenging fun route outside of town so that the John Cooper Works
performance mode can come into play.
As summed up by head of MINI Design
Anders Warming, the Vision Next 100 concept "shows how MINI's unique take
on the world could look in the future. The driving experience remains the
emotional centerpiece, with effortless and seamless services grouped around
it."
