It’s not that the Mini brand wants to reinvent the wheel. Only maybe it does. It’s even reinventing the circle.
“Charismatic Simplicity” is what the brand has called its new design language, which will appear on a new family of all-electric models. The looks will appear on the next generation of Cooper and Countryman.
The interior reflects the most noticeable changes on the cars, notably marked by a round organic light-emitting display (OLED) – yes, the entire center circle of the infotainment system will be a touch-sensitive display. It will have a diameter of 9.4 inches and will combine all the functions of the infotainment system and instrument cluster. The touch control will manage the infotainment and climate control functions.
This is certainly the most intriguing detail previewed, but Mini didn’t share any images of the touchscreen. Here’s everything they’ve shared so far:
Central to the visually reduced interior is the circular central instrument display of MINI’s iconic instrument, which will be reinterpreted in the form of an OLED display in the upcoming model family. MINI is the first car manufacturer in the world to offer a touch display with a fully usable round surface. The OLED display has a diameter of 240 millimeters and combines the functions of the instrument cluster and on-board monitor. The elegant design and the frameless look give it a particularly high-quality look. Touch control enables a completely new, minimalistic user interface that also controls the integrated infotainment and climate control functions. With the purist dashboard as the stage for the circular central display, MINI continues the traditional design heritage of the classic MINI.
The steering wheel, not quite reinvented but retouched, will be available in a couple of versions, with two or three spokes, and Mini will offer a variety of colors, patterns and fabrics for the seats.
Finally, the alloy wheels are updated, to “no longer focus on the sculptural nature of the spoke structure, but on a graphic design characterized by strong chromatic contrasts”, states the company. “This creates an illusion of size, which is further emphasized by the outward-facing rays.”
“Our progressive and purist approach combines the simplicity of functional elements with the emotionality for which Mini is renowned,” says Oliver Heilmer, head of Mini Design. “We are convinced that the conscious reduction to a few, but expressive elements allows innovations that would have been unthinkable before.”
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