When Mini unveiled the Frankfurt concept at the Frankfurt automotive exhibition in 2005, he marked two milestones at the same time: the 45th anniversary of the Mini traveler from 1960 and the modern rebirth of the brand, which journalists in Frankfurt was already shown in 1997. The design study interpreted the compact, versatile form of legacy of the original traveler with modern engineering, clever packaging and some unexpected details. The result was a car that looked unmistakable like a mini, but almost no panels or proportions with the production slot of the time.
Familiar face, different proportions
From the front, the Frankfurt concept had the hexagonal grille, round headlights and short overhangs that you would expect. But the posture was wider, the wheelbase longer and the body stretched into a proper shape. The shoulder line gently rose backwards and gave the profile a wedge -like energy. Muscle arches and a Powerdome motor hood added a more assertive feeling, while the headlights were integrated directly into the one-piece engine lid, which was like a classic sports car.
The color was a user -defined satellite silver, which was applied in two subtle different layers, so that depending on the light, it was moved by light metallic gray. Around the wheel boxes and the lower body, black neoprene trim – not only for contrast, but for its tactile, resistant quality. If the aluminum C-pillars and radiator-grill details soded to the heir of the traveler, and thanks to the deletion of the B-pillars, the cabin wrapped the cabin in no interruption.
Doors, windows and roof: rethink access
All four side doors used parallelogram hinges and swung in a single movement both externally and forward. It reduced the space that was needed to open it in tight places and made it easier to enter. The coupé-style doors were unusually long over 1.6 meters and created, without a B-pillar, an open, uninterrupted side opening when both the front and the rear doors were open. The rear side windows were a modern reinterpretation of the divided windows of the traveler. The front section slipped electrically under the back section, and when both were open, the effect was more like a convertible coupé than a small car.
On the back, the Frankfurt concept wore a symmetrical, sideways upscale two -door setup for the boot, which simply made it easier to charge from both sides. At the top there is a glass-ledge roof in full length from the windshield to the tailklappe and the rear section could open up completely so that long objects can be loaded from above.
The “cargo box” and clever storage
There was one of the most practical ideas in the concept in the luggage compartment: the “Cargobox”. This lubricant stretched out of the trunk to be easy to load, with a rotary function with which it is twice twice twice twice as a partition between the passenger room and freight. The load threshold was also low in the rear seats and was generously accessible. Fold the single-split reversal flat, and the boot floor became a continuous surface to the dashboard.
Even smaller details were interpreted for user -friendliness, such as
Floating seats and open space
The interior through the circular design language of Mini continued the feeling of space. The front seats seemed “to float”, assembled on the central console instead of soil rails, to release the legroom for rear passengers and to keep the soil clear. An electric Easy-Entery system moved the seats forward and turned it inwards for the rear access and then automatically returned it. General belts were integrated into the seat frames themselves, which requires the need for solid B-pillars.
The materials were high-end, but adventurous: white leather in several grains, brushed aluminum, chrome rings and even glass fiber tissue in the door panels. The roof food was ready in Alcantara, while the footwells scored a metallic carbon look finish.
Performance with a familiar mini feeling
Under the bonnet was a Mini Cooper S R53 stream unit with an air intake shovel and a dual -tail pipes. The long wheelbase, the wide path and the bikes that were pushed into the corners should also keep the brand’s “go -kart” feeling with the larger body.
The Mini concept Frankfurt was not a imagination of the throwing of throwing automotive exhibition. Many of his ideas would reappear in later production minis, especially in the Clubman. But even as a unique, it turned out that a small car was still able to surprise with thoughtful design, clever engineering and an apologizing allusion to its own story.
