electric MINI Vision Urbanaut adapts to fit your moment of journey

in an all-digital world exclusive premiere, MINI unveils the Vision Urbanaut – a vision of space in an all-new form. the interior design of the electric vehicle – at first reminiscent of a living room – literally pushes the boundaries of interior space and versatility on a minimal footprint in combination with a purist mono-volume exterior design. in fact, it showcases a wide range of usage that extend the car beyond driving to focus on where these journeys take you. three MINI moments – chill, wanderlust and vibe – reveal these alternate, highly rich experiences and for this, the vehicle adapts to your personal needs. it creates an urban oasis, a place to relax, work or a place where you can spend quality time with your friends and family.

all images courtesy of the BMW Group

‘MINI sees its future self primarily as an enabler of and companion for unforgettable times – what we might call ‘MINI moments’. 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.

conceptualized as an autonomous electric vehicle from its outset, the MINI Vision Urbanaut afforded greater levels of freedom when creating its interior and exterior. a virtually seamless surface defines the minimalist exterior body; high quality details then accentuate its stylistic flourishes. a matt shade of zero gravity adorns the surfaces, transitioning and fading from a metallic green to a subtly toned gray. short overhangs complete the design to create a compact and agile appearance.

at the front, a clear evolution of renowned MINI design features is apparent. a dynamic matrix forms the headlights and rear lights, with the former only visible when switched on. all the lights are interwoven with different multi-colored graphics that adapt to suit the moment as well as provide a form of communication to the outside world. the enclosed radiator grille has morphed from its traditional hexagonal form into an octagonal shape. it now serves as an intelligence panel to host automated driving assistance technologies. positioned on the outer corners of the body, the transparent skateboard-like wheels with an abstract union jack print can be illuminated to also communicate the moment.

thanks to its mono-volume form, the vehicle presents a new creative use of space inside. entering through a large sliding side door, an extremely flexible four-seat layout provides the basis for the bright interior. an open design in the central section ensures quick access to all seating areas – the two rotating front seats and bench at the rear. the cabin also reflects its sustainable heart, made with recycled materials throughout whilst also devoid of any chrome or leather. the rest of the architecture adorns knitted textile whereas cork lines the steering wheel and floor to exude a natural feel.

conventional controls such as switches and buttons are omitted in favor of intuitive yet discreet user interface solutions. the result is a minimalist environment that focuses all attention on a completely flexible, personalized experience. topped with home-like furnishings such as a plant, a small integrated table sits opposite the entry door. the familiar MINI circular instrument is placed in the center of the table to offer information to all passengers when needed.

when stationary, the MINI Vision Urbanaut can transform – in both its exterior and interior appearance – to match your moment in the journey. the design’s centerpiece MINI token activates these three preconfigured MINI moments – chill, wanderlust and vibe.

chill turns the car into a retreat where you can relax or even work during a journey. a textile-covered ‘loop’, which wraps over the cosy rear bench, adapts its LED backlighting to be reminiscent of a green forest canopy. it creates a quiet space that is then further enhanced as the central circular instrument folds down to become a table lamp.

wanderlust is dedicated to the driving moment as the user can decide whether to utilize automated driving functions or take the wheel themselves. the steering wheel and pedals pop out or recede with a tap of the finger on the MINI logo. the minimalist parallax display, which provides route instructions, can also vanish from the dashboard when not needed. the user interface on the central circular instrument reflects the romance of travel with a display inspired by tourism posters from the 1950s and 60s.

vibe supports a more social aspect, putting the time we spend with others at center stage, and bringing togetherness and interaction to the heart of the vehicle. it opens the space up to the maximum whilst blurring the boundaries between the outside and inside. the side door opens and the windscreen folds to create a street-styled balcony. the central circular instrument, meanwhile, becomes a media control center for entertainment.