THE BREAKDOWN:
- Mini is still considering turning the Rocketman concept into a production vehicle.
- The car’s compact footprint, nearly identical in size to the 1959 original, is a hurdle.
- Today's cars must meet stricter safety standards and feature a lot more technology than they did 15 years ago.
In 2011, Mini unveiled an interesting city car concept that never made production. It was called the Rocketman, and while the world may have already forgotten about the tiny runabout, Mini has not.
In an interview with Auto Express, Holger Hampf, Mini’s head of design, revealed that the company is still considering a production version of the car. He called it an "exciting project," with the company attempting to see what it can fit "into such a small, 3.6-meter (147.7-inch) car."
The Rocketman was a compact three-door hatch that was close in size to the 1959 original and featured a carbon spaceframe. Despite its small footprint, the car had four seats and an innovative rear hatch that featured a slide-out tailgate.
The challenge that Mini faces in today’s industry is much different from what it was 15 years ago. Today’s cars are larger and are packed with significantly more technology that consumers want. They must also adhere to stricter safety regulations, which smaller cars often struggle to meet.
Hampf said in the interview that any new Mini must be safe and feature advanced driver assistance systems, which add weight and complexity. Mini is trying to figure it out, with the design boss revealing that the automaker is "studying these volumes."
“It’s not easy,” he told the publication. “I’ll leave it at that.”
He didn’t provide a timeline as to when we could see a production version of the Rocketman. If it does happen, it could very well be a battery-electric vehicle designed to compete with cars like the Renault Twingo.
Gallery: Mini Rocketman
Motor1’s Take: Even if Mini did turn the Rocketman into a production vehicle—and Mini better keep the name if it does—we doubt the company will sell it in the United States. Super small cars are incredibly unpopular here despite their value.
Source: Auto Express
