MINI goes for gold with Olympic edition Rocketman

MINI plans to cash in on London’s Olympic hype by showcasing a Union jack-inspired iteration of its Rocketman Concept at the BMW Group Pavilion, located close to the Olympic and Paralympic Village.

Last year’s concept caused a minor stir at the Geneva motor show with its novel 3+1 seating layout, pivoting doors and puny dimensions – it stretches just 3400mm in length, around 300mm less than the existing three-door MINI.

The Rocketman was billed as offering a contemporary take on the “creative use of space” principle espoused by the original 1960s MINI, with its carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic construction further minimising weight.

The Olympic edition retains the same essentials as the Geneva concept, with the crucial point of difference being its blue-red-and-white livery reflecting the colours of the British national flag.

The body’s non-metallic paintwork is interspersed with exposed carbon components at the front end and around the doors, while the 18-inch alloys have white polished areas and a metallic red accent. Matt Porcelain White paintwork is also used for the mirror caps, boot opener and surrounds for the radiator grille and headlights.

The Union Jack also features on the full-surface glass roof via illuminated braces running horizontally, lengthways and diagonally – even when they’re not illuminated they shine in bright Porcelain White.

The red-white-and-blue theme extends to the cabin, which features lashings of Nubuck leather and carbonfibre. However, the most distinctive feature is said to be its 3D cockpit surface, whose relief structure depicts the name of every host city of the Olympics, with London obviously given prime billing.

As for the Rocketman itself, BMW’s sales and marketing boss Ian Robertson hinted to UK’s Autocar magazine that the concept could make production or, at the very least, provide clues to future MINIs.

“We are good at looking at history and interpreting a future for it,” he told Autocar.

“The themes in the car are not just about a smaller MINI. Lightweight construction, and new types of components will go on to MINIs. The BMW i-concept [lightweight and alternative energy] will be available to all members of the group.”

According to Autocar, the Rocketman concept is also believed to preview design elements that will feature in the new-generation Coupe and Convertible, underpinned by the BMW Group’s new front-wheel-drive platform and due next year.

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