First unveiled at the International 2011 Geneva Motor Show, the Mini Rocketman Concept stunned the audience by simply being the first new Mini to actually be mini sized at just a little more than 3 meters long! Using lightweight carbon spaceframe construction, the Rocketman Concept even boasted a projected 80 mpg.
Design wise, the Rocketman Concept featured a trick double hinged door design for tight spots, an interesting hang-bar taillight design for improved visibility, and a neat glass union-jack roof panel to flaunt its Britishness. As exciting and as suitable for the times as the Mini Rocketman seemed, the mini Mini never made it to production when BMW had chosen to scrap the idea... or have they?
As part of a collaboration project to promote the 2012 London Olympics, Mini is re-introducing the Rocketman Concept complete with design elements celebrating the games as well as the country hosting them. Like wearing a British track jacket, British national flag colors and desgin elements dominates both the exterior and the interior of the latest Rocketman Concept.
Red and white accents highlight the deep, elegant dark blue. Interspersed in the paintwork are carbon fiber elements drawn to the front end and around the doors. Displaying thoughtfullness to small details, the grille element features a unique pattern of many tiny Mini logos, conspicuously highlighted by a bold red paint finish, characteristic of Mini's playful attitude.
Perhaps the most eye-catching element of all is the Mini Rocketman's roof design. Compelling from the outisde, air and inviting from the inside, the roof features a full-surface glass with illuminated structural braces recreating the Union Jack.
Continuing the theme in the interior, rich white leather seats and a bold white dashboard set the tone in the Rocketman Concept's cabin. Complementing dark blue nubuck leather is applied to the inner door panels and rear side sections. Circular trim elements, from door pulls to air vents, are finished in red and white accents. Finally, exposed carbon elements highlight the Rocketman Concept's high-tech construction and are incorporated into the layout of the interior
The most distinctive interior element is the transparent, illuminating 3D bar across the dashboard surface. A tribute to every host city of the summer Olympic Games, the 3D bar features intricate lettering that highlights London in particular as the host of the upcoming summer games.
A stunning design and a wonderful tribute to the Summer Olympic games, we hope the Rocketman Concept's re-emergence suggests that BMW may decide to put the mini Mini into production after all.
