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Mini Rocketman Concept

Mini Rocketman Concept

Hardcore Mini fans have long lamented that with each new model, the brand's lineup heads farther away from its core mission of producing small, fun-to-drive cars. Someone at Mini is apparently listening, because its Rocketman Concept is proof that the brand can still think small. The Rocketman, which makes its world debut at the 2011 Geneva auto show, also serves as a rolling showcase for new Mini construction techniques and ideas in modular packaging.
To start with, the Rocketman is almost a foot shorter than a standard Cooper and is built on a carbon-fiber spaceframe to save weight over the traditional steel unibodies employed on Mini production vehicles. Much of the spaceframe is visible inside and outside the car to show off the carbon construction and save weight on trim pieces. Mini calls the seating arrangement a 3+1 layout, similar to the Toyota iQ setup. The idea is that modular seating makes the smaller interior space as versatile as possible. While the two front seats and one rear seat are considered permanent, a second rear seat easily stows to increase cargo space. The other permanent rear and front passenger seats can also be folded to create near station wagon-levels of space while accommodating only the driver.