MINI teamed up with renowned fashion designer Paul Smith to create the MINI STRIP concept car, focusing on sustainable design but not at the expense of style. The one-off MINI STRIP is based on a fully electric three-door MINI Cooper SE that was stripped of many of its original components, reducing it to “its structural essence”. Following the theme of “Simplicity, Transparency, Sustainability”, Paul Smith asked many questions from a non-automotive perspective, keeping only what was absolutely necessary. This approach led to a more sustainable car that is also lighter than the production model, with benefits on the electric range and performance.
Exterior changes include the raw and unpainted body (both the galvanized steel and the plastic panels were left unfinished) with only a thin layer of transparent paint protecting it against corrosion. The plastic cladding has been purposely bolted on, while the redesigned splitter and rear bumper inserts were 3D-printed from recycled plastic.
MINI designers created unique aerodynamic wheel covers and a new grille – both made from recycled Perspex. The large panoramic roof is also made from the same lightweight material, while the metal structure of the bodyshell was left naked. What is weird is that the taillights come from a pre-facelifted model, replacing the newer ones with the Union-Jack graphics. bWhat is more impressive than the exterior is the stripped-out cabin. Recycled cork – a material that absorbs carbon dioxide during its production – has been used for the top of the dashboard, the sunshades, and the top of the doors as an alternative to the traditional foamed plastic material. All other trim panels were omitted, exposing the basic metal structure, which here is painted in blue.
The dashboard is a single-piece semi-transparent section with a smoked-glass finish, while the central instrument is gone, leaving room for a smartphone dock. The aluminum steering wheel is wrapped in handlebar tape – inspired by bicycles – so the owner could easily replace it when worn out. The middle part housing the airbag is covered in mesh material, just like the door panels.
The seats are upholstered in fully recyclable monochrome knitted fabric, and the fancy floor mats are made from recycled rubber. The seatbelts and the pull handles made from wound climbing rope are painted in bright orange, contrasting the rest of the cabin. As a final touch, opening the charging port reveals neon green paint with an engraved drawing of an electric plug created by Paul Smith himself. As for the powertrain, the concept car is fitted with the same 181 hp electric motor and the 32.6 kWh battery found in the production version of the MINI Cooper SE.
While the MINI STRIP concept is not destined for production, the British company will use its design approach in future vehicles, as we move into a more sustainable future for the automotive industry.
