MINI Rocketman set for take-off

The New MINI may well be a bloated version of the 1959 original, but the concept pictured alongside recaptures the true essence and minnow-esque dimensions of its half-century-old ancestor.

Billed for now as a pure design study, the MINI Rocketman Concept -- due to take its bows at next week's Geneva motor show -- debuts a novel 3+1 seating arrangement, double-hinged doors that can be opened in tight spaces and a pull-out drawer at the rear for storing odds and ends.

Although its styling inspiration clearly comes from yesteryear, the Rocketman is a techno tour de force with a raft of cutting-edge features.

The lightweight concept is built around a carbon spaceframe and is claimed to deliver average fuel consumption of just 3.0L/100km. The company hasn't as yet divulged details pertaining to the drivetrain, but it could be the new three-cylinder turbodiesel engine that BMW is developing for the 1 Series.

Rather than being an el cheapo entry-level powerplant, this unit is reportedly a refined, sporting engine with low CO2 emissions.

Ironically, this engine cannot be slotted into the current MINI line-up due to space constraints, but it's possible the Rocketman's engine bay has been designed to accommodate the three-pot diesel.

The concept measures just 3400mm in length, which means it's about 300mm shorter than the current three-door MINI, and its design language adheres to the brand's familiar look.

However, new elements include the LED headlamps with integrated indicators and 'trapezoidal stirrup' taillights into which all the light functions are integrated. The lamp assembly projects the rear and braking lights and direction indicators onto the car body.

According to MINI, the high-output LED units used for the lights ensure that even this indirect illumination concept produces the intensity of light that is necessary for safety.

The roof of the MINI Rocketman Concept also puts on an spectacular light show as the full-surface glass roof is segmented by illuminated braces to recreate the look of the Union Jack. When not illuminated, the longitudinal, horizontal and diagonal braces glow a bright Porcelain White.

Out back is a split two-part tailgate whereby one section is attached to the roof and flips up, while the lower section extends out 350mm as a drawer unit. According to the company, the drawer represents a modern development of the downward-opening tailgate seen on the classic MINI.

Also innovative are the pivoting doors, which swing and slide outward/forward complete with their sills, enabling the driver and passengers to climb in without the need for any contortions.

Inside, there are three individual seats that slide fore and aft, and there is also an additional seat in the rear, whose backrest can be folded down fully to serve as a stowage surface.

With just two people on board, the front seats are pushed back as far as possible (and the instrument cluster also slides accordingly), but if an additional passenger is thrown into the mix the front passenger can move his seat forward again to take a position slightly further forward than the driver.

In this configuration, the front passenger's legroom is allegedly reduced to standard MINI levels to accommodate an equally generously sized rear seat behind him.

If there are four occupants, the driver's seat and instrument cluster slide forward to make space for the additional rear seat (however, MINI points out that this set-up is suited only to short journeys).

The cabin features classic MINI design elements such as the large central speedo, but there's an array of high-tech trickery, such as LED-powered fibre optics and steering wheel-mounted controls for all functions.

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