|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
Image credits: MINI
MINI announces the North American debut of the MINI Traveller Concept at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The MINI Traveller Concept - the third appearance for this design study - will be transformed into unique a sport oriented theme that will be seen only in Detroit.
The Traveller concept made its debut in Frankfurt with a 'Traveling in Style' theme befitting the beginning of the 21st century. The Tokyo concept focused on the 'British-ness' of MINI. Each theme is a unique translation of the Traveller.
The sporty theme of MINI Concept Detroit is striking in its appearance and demonstrates a flexible and intelligent use of space. The car is inviting to passengers and features plenty of space for sports equipment. Innovative roof carriers and cargo box systems offer additional storage space.
Coupe-Like Look Without a B-Pillar.
MINI Concept Detroit places an emphasis on features such as the wheel arches, the shoulder line and the power dome of the car, making a clear visual statement that it is full of class, muscle, and elegance all in one. Dropping the usual B-pillar, MINI Concept Detroit has an openness usually only found in a coupe or convertible.
The Overall Concept - Clever MINI Style All the Way
The fundamental idea in developing MINI Concept Detroit is to make loading and passenger access as simple and convenient as possible. The driver/front passenger and rear doors come with parallelogram kinematic joints and springs: To allow optimum access and entry into the car, the doors swivel to the side and at the same time to the front in one single movement, ensuring maximum opening space leading into the interior. The rear sliding windows open electrically.
Cargo box in the Luggage Compartment, Large Loading Area in the Roof.
MINI Concept Detroit comes with an adjustable Cargobox in the luggage compartment with its loading cover moving out to the rear for convenient loading. Another convenient feature is the transparent cover on the Cargobox that moves up and serves as a partition between the passenger area and the luggage compartment. The rear section of the roof opens up just as conveniently for easy loading.
Sports Utility Box and Roof Box with Interchangeable Flexibility
The Sports Utility Box is a multifunctional, additional interchangeable storage box hooked into position behind the open rear side window. This unique box features flaps on either side for convenient loading and unloading from both outside and from the passenger compartment, and for handing through objects just as easily and conveniently.
Satellite Silver Metallic Paintwork and Neoprene Contours.
MINI Concept Detroit stands out in the light through its beautiful silver paintwork. Parts of the car not directly in a person's line of vision are viewed in a more discreet gray. Special highlights in red and blue give this outstanding concept car a particularly dynamic touch. Soft, resilient neoprene is featured on the black side band so characteristic of the car, extending along the side-sills and wheel cutouts.
Interior Design Characterized by 'Floating Elements'
The 'Floating Elements' concept offers a surprisingly generous and open impression right from the start when the driver and passengers get into the car. The seats are suspended in position, and the free-hovering dashboard with its Center Speedo, a revolving central dashboard with both a digital and analogue display, enhances and upgrades the feeling of space and style.
MINI Concept Detroit offers adequate space for four. The front seats swivel to the side for easy and convenient access to the rear. When tilted down, the rear seats form a flat surface flush with the floor of the luggage compartment.
Leather, Chrome and Aluminum as the Principal Materials.
Throughout the interior, white leather underlines the impression of modern style and generous space, adding a strong touch of sophisticated class and stylish flair. An aluminum-coated glass-fiber structure accentuates the door panels and linings inside the car, while a special carbon-fiber look highlights the foot area in combination with nylon texture in powerful blue that is also on the seat inserts and armrests.Source - BMW AG
The Traveller concept made its debut in Frankfurt with a 'Traveling in Style' theme befitting the beginning of the 21st century. The Tokyo concept focused on the 'British-ness' of MINI. Each theme is a unique translation of the Traveller.
The sporty theme of MINI Concept Detroit is striking in its appearance and demonstrates a flexible and intelligent use of space. The car is inviting to passengers and features plenty of space for sports equipment. Innovative roof carriers and cargo box systems offer additional storage space.
Coupe-Like Look Without a B-Pillar.
MINI Concept Detroit places an emphasis on features such as the wheel arches, the shoulder line and the power dome of the car, making a clear visual statement that it is full of class, muscle, and elegance all in one. Dropping the usual B-pillar, MINI Concept Detroit has an openness usually only found in a coupe or convertible.
The Overall Concept - Clever MINI Style All the Way
The fundamental idea in developing MINI Concept Detroit is to make loading and passenger access as simple and convenient as possible. The driver/front passenger and rear doors come with parallelogram kinematic joints and springs: To allow optimum access and entry into the car, the doors swivel to the side and at the same time to the front in one single movement, ensuring maximum opening space leading into the interior. The rear sliding windows open electrically.
Cargo box in the Luggage Compartment, Large Loading Area in the Roof.
MINI Concept Detroit comes with an adjustable Cargobox in the luggage compartment with its loading cover moving out to the rear for convenient loading. Another convenient feature is the transparent cover on the Cargobox that moves up and serves as a partition between the passenger area and the luggage compartment. The rear section of the roof opens up just as conveniently for easy loading.
Sports Utility Box and Roof Box with Interchangeable Flexibility
The Sports Utility Box is a multifunctional, additional interchangeable storage box hooked into position behind the open rear side window. This unique box features flaps on either side for convenient loading and unloading from both outside and from the passenger compartment, and for handing through objects just as easily and conveniently.
Satellite Silver Metallic Paintwork and Neoprene Contours.
MINI Concept Detroit stands out in the light through its beautiful silver paintwork. Parts of the car not directly in a person's line of vision are viewed in a more discreet gray. Special highlights in red and blue give this outstanding concept car a particularly dynamic touch. Soft, resilient neoprene is featured on the black side band so characteristic of the car, extending along the side-sills and wheel cutouts.
Interior Design Characterized by 'Floating Elements'
The 'Floating Elements' concept offers a surprisingly generous and open impression right from the start when the driver and passengers get into the car. The seats are suspended in position, and the free-hovering dashboard with its Center Speedo, a revolving central dashboard with both a digital and analogue display, enhances and upgrades the feeling of space and style.
MINI Concept Detroit offers adequate space for four. The front seats swivel to the side for easy and convenient access to the rear. When tilted down, the rear seats form a flat surface flush with the floor of the luggage compartment.
Leather, Chrome and Aluminum as the Principal Materials.
Throughout the interior, white leather underlines the impression of modern style and generous space, adding a strong touch of sophisticated class and stylish flair. An aluminum-coated glass-fiber structure accentuates the door panels and linings inside the car, while a special carbon-fiber look highlights the foot area in combination with nylon texture in powerful blue that is also on the seat inserts and armrests.Source - BMW AG
The British Motor Corporation came into existence in 1952 by the merging of two manufacturers, Nuffield Motors and Austin. Nuffield was known for its Morris line of vehicles, while Austin had its 'Seven' model line. The transition for the two manufacturers was difficult and had been forced out of necessity. After World War II, many vehicle manufacturers could not stay in business due to destroyed factories, recovering economies, strained resources, and lack of funds. Combining the two companies was a means to stay in business.
A fuel shortage was occurring. German engineers quickly adapted and began producing fuel-efficient vehicles. Examples include the Volkswagen Beetle. Leonard Lord, Chairman of BMC and former head of Austin, commissioned Sir Alec Issigonis to design a vehicle to compete with the German-made vehicles.
Alec Issigonis was a graduate of Battersea Technical College. After graduation he worked as a draftsman for a plethora of engineering projects. Later, he joined Morris Motors where he was tasked with creating and fitting suspensions to the Morris vehicles.
Issigonis was outfitted with requirements to create a fuel-efficient, affordable, safe vehicle capable of carrying four individuals including luggage. To save on development costs, it was requested that an existing BMC engine be used. What he created was a vehicle that sat atop of 10 inch wheels. By using smaller wheels there was little need for wheel wells.
The car was expected to carry four individuals; the combined weight of the passengers being greater than the entire vehicle. A suspension was needed that could accept this pay-load. With his prior experience creating and working with suspensions, Issigonis designed a rubber cone suspension.
A 950 cc, four cylinder, BMC engine was selected. It was mounted in the front and expected to power the front wheels, a system that was revolutionary at the time. Instead of mounting the engine longitudinally, it was place transversely. The transmission was place under the engine due to space constraints.
When Issigonis presented his designs and recommendations to Lord in 1958, changes were requested. Instead of the 950 cc engine, a 34 horsepower, 848 cc engine would be used, making the vehicle slower but more importantly, more safe. The other request was to make the vehicle two inches wider.
There were two versions of the car when it was first introduced on August 26, 1959. The only difference between the 1959 Austin and Morris versions was their badges.
John Cooper had designed vehicles that successfully won the Formula One championships in 1959 and 1960.
He proposed a marriage between his 1000 cc Formula Junior engine with the Mini. Lord approved the idea and in 1961 the Mini Cooper was born. It was fitted with a 997 cc engine producing 55 horsepower. Later, the Cooper S came into being with the advent of the 970 cc and the 1275 cc engine - the latter capable of 76 horsepower.
From 1964 through 1967 the little car dominated the Monte Carlo Rally. The car easily achieved these victories using a 91 horsepower engine.
Minis became more than just a practical car, they became a fashion statement. This, combined with their practicality, fuel efficiency, and success on the race track, created an overwhelming demand for the little car.
In the 1980's, the Mini was starting to loose momentum. Rover tried to revitalize the Mini brand by creating special editions. In all, there were more than 40 different editions created between 1980 and 2000.
A merger with British Motor Corporation and another company produced the Britsh Leyland Company. Later, it became Rover Group. Currently, it is owned by BMW.
In 2001, BMW introduced the MINI. The MINI currently has three Cooper models. Their main differences being the size of the engine and the horsepower rating. A convertible has also been included to the line-up.
A fuel shortage was occurring. German engineers quickly adapted and began producing fuel-efficient vehicles. Examples include the Volkswagen Beetle. Leonard Lord, Chairman of BMC and former head of Austin, commissioned Sir Alec Issigonis to design a vehicle to compete with the German-made vehicles.
Alec Issigonis was a graduate of Battersea Technical College. After graduation he worked as a draftsman for a plethora of engineering projects. Later, he joined Morris Motors where he was tasked with creating and fitting suspensions to the Morris vehicles.
Issigonis was outfitted with requirements to create a fuel-efficient, affordable, safe vehicle capable of carrying four individuals including luggage. To save on development costs, it was requested that an existing BMC engine be used. What he created was a vehicle that sat atop of 10 inch wheels. By using smaller wheels there was little need for wheel wells.
The car was expected to carry four individuals; the combined weight of the passengers being greater than the entire vehicle. A suspension was needed that could accept this pay-load. With his prior experience creating and working with suspensions, Issigonis designed a rubber cone suspension.
A 950 cc, four cylinder, BMC engine was selected. It was mounted in the front and expected to power the front wheels, a system that was revolutionary at the time. Instead of mounting the engine longitudinally, it was place transversely. The transmission was place under the engine due to space constraints.
When Issigonis presented his designs and recommendations to Lord in 1958, changes were requested. Instead of the 950 cc engine, a 34 horsepower, 848 cc engine would be used, making the vehicle slower but more importantly, more safe. The other request was to make the vehicle two inches wider.
There were two versions of the car when it was first introduced on August 26, 1959. The only difference between the 1959 Austin and Morris versions was their badges.
John Cooper had designed vehicles that successfully won the Formula One championships in 1959 and 1960.
He proposed a marriage between his 1000 cc Formula Junior engine with the Mini. Lord approved the idea and in 1961 the Mini Cooper was born. It was fitted with a 997 cc engine producing 55 horsepower. Later, the Cooper S came into being with the advent of the 970 cc and the 1275 cc engine - the latter capable of 76 horsepower.
From 1964 through 1967 the little car dominated the Monte Carlo Rally. The car easily achieved these victories using a 91 horsepower engine.
Minis became more than just a practical car, they became a fashion statement. This, combined with their practicality, fuel efficiency, and success on the race track, created an overwhelming demand for the little car.
In the 1980's, the Mini was starting to loose momentum. Rover tried to revitalize the Mini brand by creating special editions. In all, there were more than 40 different editions created between 1980 and 2000.
A merger with British Motor Corporation and another company produced the Britsh Leyland Company. Later, it became Rover Group. Currently, it is owned by BMW.
In 2001, BMW introduced the MINI. The MINI currently has three Cooper models. Their main differences being the size of the engine and the horsepower rating. A convertible has also been included to the line-up.
2006 MINI Concept Detroit |
|
| Year | 2006 |
| Make | MINI |
| Model | Concept Detroit |
| Engine Location | Front |
| Drive Type | Rear Wheel |
| Production Years for Series | 2006 |
| Introduced At | 2006 North American International Auto Show |
| Tires / Wheels | |
| Tires | 175/65HR15 |
| View more photographs |
| View Specifications |
| Similar Automakers |
| Add Review |
| View Reviews (1) |
| Other models by MINI |
 |
| Related Articles and Event Coverage |
| 2006 North American International Auto Show |
| Topics |
|
Classic Mini Cooper is still alive and welll
Replies: 1 Sunday, March 04, 2007 |
| 2006 MINI models |
| Cooper |
| Cooper Dragster |
| Cooper John Cooper Works GP Tuning Kit | 2006 MINI Concepts |
| MINI Concept Frankfurt |
| MINI Concept Geneva |
| MINI CrossUP |
| Vehicle Spotlight | ||
 |  |  |
 |  |  |
 |  |  |
 |  |  |
 |  |  |
 |  |  |
 |  |  |
 |  |  |
