MINI has shown a revised version of its compact (3.0-metre) Rocketman Concept – re-jigged in time for the London Olympics.
The clever three-seater (a small, foldaway fourth seat is used only for short journeys) is MINI’s take on future personal mobility in major cities, but of course all done in the British way. Ironically, even though the MINI Rocketman oozes the technology we’ve come to expect from the BMW-owned company, the dimensions of the compact prototype almost mirror those of the original Mini Cooper from the 1960s.
MINI Rocketman sits on a lightweight carbon fibre chassis and 18-inch alloy wheels. Everywhere you look are the colours of the Union Jack flag – most obviously in the illuminated roof but right down to the rocket-shaped ignition key fob.
Some of the carbon fibre components have deliberately been left in their natural colour and the front grille is composed of MINI logos. At the rear is an interesting two-section boot – the upper section upward-pivoting and the lower section sliding outwards like a drawer.
Inside, the red-white-and-blue theme is continued, including the blue nubuck leather seats. The centre console is styled like a basketball court and a sports-style rucksuck is fixed to the back of the front passenger seat for extra storage.
