{"id":1253,"date":"2020-11-19T12:20:14","date_gmt":"2020-11-19T12:20:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thenextweb.com\/?p=1328716"},"modified":"2020-11-19T12:20:14","modified_gmt":"2020-11-19T12:20:14","slug":"the-mini-urbanaut-concept-is-a-tardis-on-wheels-for-day-trippers-of-the-future","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.londonchiropracter.com\/?p=1253","title":{"rendered":"The Mini Urbanaut concept is a TARDIS on wheels for day-trippers of the future"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Even though concept cars don\u2019t always get made, they sometimes provide a glimpse into what car brands think the future will be like. In the case of Mini, it thinks the future is all about using space efficiently.<\/p>\n

Earlier this week<\/a>, the Anglo-Germanic marque unveiled its Urbanaut concept. To put it bluntly, it\u2019s a Mini van\u2026 I\u2019ll see myself out.<\/p>\n

Seriously though, Mini\u2019s Urbanaut represents a totally new direction for the brand and on the surface is decidedly un-Mini.<\/p>\n

\"car,
Credit: MINI<\/figcaption>
<\/i><\/a>The Mini Urbanaut is a Mini but not as you know it.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Let\u2019s not spend too much time analyzing its appearance, because well, it follows the futuristic standard of smooth lines, lots of glass, and wheels that would be a nightmare to keep clean. It\u2019s also electric and autonomous.<\/p>\n

Classic Minis were always known for being small, and used a number of clever design features to achieve that efficient use of space. However, according to Adrian van Hooydonk, BMW group\u2019s head of design, Mini has actually always stood for \u201cclever use of space.\u201d<\/p>\n

[Read: Neural\u2019s market outlook for artificial intelligence in 2021 and beyond<\/a>]<\/em><\/p>\n

I guess we better let Mini off the hook for making a van that\u2019s unusually large for a brand whose name has been built on the back of small cars.<\/p>\n

\"urbanaut,
Credit: MINI<\/figcaption>
<\/i><\/a>When stationary, the Mini Urbanaut\u2019s front window can open, like on the old split window VW Bus.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In the case of the Urbanaut, the \u201cclever use of space,\u201d is all about what Mini does with the vehicle\u2019s interior. \u201cWith the Mini Vision Urbanaut we have been able to rethink and increase the usable surface area inside the car even further in relation to its footprint,\u201d says Mini\u2019s head of design, Oliver Heilmer.<\/p>\n

For want of better words, they want to create a Tardis. A vehicle which is bigger on the inside than its external dimensions would suggest.<\/p>\n

So, on to the interior. Inside the Urbanaut you\u2019ll find a space which Mini says can provide passengers with moments of chill, wanderlust, and vibe\u2026 apparently.<\/p>\n

What that really means is that the inside of the Urbanaut is space to relax, work, or explore the world from.<\/p>\n

\"car,
Credit: MINI<\/figcaption>
<\/i><\/a>The Urbanaut is built around what Mini calls its \u201cMoment.\u201d Three different states of being whether you want to work, chill out, or explore the world and drive somewhere.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The two front seats can rotate to face a bench seat in the rear, and the dashboard can even lower to transform into what Mini calls a daybed. Like many multi-purpose family vans of the past it opens to the world using a large sliding door on the side.<\/p>\n

In fact, the Mini Urbanaut is in many ways a reimagining of classic day vans, like the VW Bus or Chevrolet Astro, but with a bunch of futuristic twists and a splash of Mini\u2019s classic quirkiness.<\/p>\n

\"car,
Credit: MINI<\/figcaption>
<\/i><\/a>The Mini Urbanaut features all you\u2019d want from an MPV or day van, plenty of beds to lay around on.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Let\u2019s sip from the cup of reality for a second, though, and recognize that this is not a real car, yet. It\u2019s a CAD design and a bunch of ideas. Will it ever get made? Who knows. Mini bosses say they are \u201cseriously considering it,\u201d<\/a> but not until 2027.<\/p>\n

As cities and roads get ever more crowded, using space more efficiently is an absolute must. It\u2019s naturally a good thing that Mini is aware of this and is trying to reinvent classic concepts for the future.<\/p>\n

And well, everyone wants to live that #vanlife<\/a> right now, so maybe if Mini does make this, it\u2019ll go down a storm.<\/p>\n

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<\/figure>\n

<\/a>SHIFT<\/a> is brought to you by Polestar. It\u2019s time to accelerate the shift to sustainable mobility. That is why Polestar combines electric driving with cutting-edge design and thrilling performance.<\/span><\/i> Find out how<\/span><\/i><\/a>.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Published November 19, 2020 \u2014 12:20 UTC <\/p>\n

Source<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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