A New Mini Concept That’s Actually Mini

With the recently introduced Countryman SUV and headlines like “The New Mini WRC is a Giant Monster” highlighting the massive growth spurts Mini’s cars have experienced since the brand’s inception, perhaps the time was right for Mini to show something – you know – mini.

Jalopnik recently published photos of Mini’s new “Rocketman” concept car, which is scheduled to debut at next month’s Geneva Motor Show and feature the same kind of 3+1 seating that seemed so innovative in (my new favorite car) Toyota’s Scion iQ when it was introduced to the motoring world nearly 3 years ago.

The Rocketman’s 135″ overall length means it’s not quite as small as the original, but (as Jalopnik’s Matt Hardigree points out) it is nearly a foot shorter than the new Cooper and nearly 20″ shorter than Mini’s Clubman.  The concept is appropriately futuriffic, with carbon fiber this and that trimming weight and helping the car achieve a (claimed) 80 mpg.

We’ll see – but if this is the Mini that will lead the charge against the decades-old trend towards excessive vehicle bloat, you can bet we’ll be thrilled about it.

Source:  Mini, via Jalopnik.

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