Mini Beachcomber

The MINI Beachcomber Concept is a four-seater concept with an open body and focused on versatiliy and open air activities. It is based on the MINI Crossover and inspired by the Mini Moke from the 1960s. It will make its dubut at the 2010 Detroit Motor Show.

Based on the MINI crossover vehicle that will be launched later this year in markets outside of North America, the MINI Beachcomber Concept will be presented by MINI at the North American International Auto Show (16–24 January 2010) in Detroit.

The MINI Beachcomber Concept is a four-seater concept car designed for maximum driving pleasure, incorporating key features of the new MINI and combining them with the vision of a radically open body concept.

Among the feature are a new all-wheel drive system, ALL4, advanced suspension technology, an elevated seating position and a flexible interior.

It is designed without doors or a conventional roof, and all other body elements that could limit the intensity of the occupants' encounter with their surrounding world.

This allows the driver and up to three passengers to connect with their surroundings and to enjoy an emotional driving experience. The ground clearance is high thanks to the generous spring travel and extra-large light-alloy wheels raise the entire car to a higher level.

The open doorways allow for an easy access to the front and rear seats. The entry cutouts extend all the way down to the seat bottoms, allowing the driver and all passengers to get in and out in one smooth and flowing process.

In the event of bad weather, drivers can either use the soft roof or the lightweight door and roof elements, all of which fit easily and can be installed within a few minutes.

MINI designers were inspired by the new MINI crossover production model, which they enhanced beyond the realms of urban mobility to create the MINI Beachcomber Concept. In creating this concept, they utilized the technical qualities of the production crossover model, and made adaptations to offer the ultimate expression of freedom.

The result is a new open concept driving experience for all your senses, plus a greater degree of versatility than ever experienced before in a MINI.

The potential uses for the MINI Beachcomber Concept are defined by the imagination of its driver.

The most natural surroundings for this vehicle are beaches, where the MINI Beachcomber Concept, through its enhanced traction and open design, offers the freedom of movement expressed through its very name.

The Mini Moke

The authentic style and character of the MINI Beachcomber Concept is rooted in the brand's history.

It follows in the footsteps of the Mini Moke, which in the 1960s, quickly became the epitome of adventurous motoring for leisure time and sports activities in sunny coastal regions.

Unique, typical of MINI, and with a great role model from way back when.

MINI once offered an extreme, thrill-of-driving experience in the open air by conscious reduction to the very minimum: In 1964, just five years after the market launch of the classic Mini, Alec Issigonis, the world-famous engineer and creator of the first model, developed an all-open version of this revolutionary compact car.

The body of the Mini Moke, as it was called, was made up of little more than a floorpan, wide sills at the side, an engine compartment lid and a windshield.

A folding roof served to protect the driver and passengers from precipitation.

With its robust structure and the drivetrain technology carried over from the Mini, this four-seater fun car became a great success, particularly in the sunny regions of the U.S. and Australia.

Production of the Mini Moke continued in Great Britain until 1968 with a production volume of approximately 14,500 units. In the following years, production was continued in Australia and Portugal.

The rustic appearance of the car, and its concept of consciously reducing the body components and interior to a minimum clearly follow the tradition of the radically open Mini Moke of the 1960s.

This is further accentuated by design cues that are strongly inspired by the original Mini Moke, and is enhanced by various striking details such as the characteristic radiator grille.

Below we report the complete official document released by Mini.

From the official Press Release:

Exterior

Measuring approximately four meters in length, the new MINI Beachcomber meets modern demands in terms of space and comfort, as well as efficiency and safety, while retaining its clear focus on driving pleasure and enjoying the surroundings without barriers.

Even ALL4 all-wheel drive can be seen in a role model from the past. A prototype Mini Moke developed by Alec Issigonis in 1963 had two engines and an early ALL4 system. On this test car, appropriately referred to as the "Twini," the front and rear wheels were each driven by a four-cylinder from the Mini range of engines.

Intentionally reduced to a minimum, the body of the car ensures an intense feeling of the sun shining in and the wind rushing by, while full maintenance of all MINI safety standards guarantees maximum occupant safety.

The MINI Beachcomber Concept vehicle's body structure incorporates load paths and deformation units.

The frame on the passenger cell is formed by substantially reinforced A-pillars, and the D-pillar bar is complete with an integrated lateral support element at the rear of the car. It is made of high-strength steel for maximum stiffness and finished in body color.

The concept of lightweight technology serves to lower the car's center of gravity.

The lateral support element further enhances the vehicle's agility and also gives the vehicle its unique appearance. This lateral support boasts recesses shaped to form the "MINI" model designation and is clearly visible from outside.

Individual rear seats adjust forward and back to offer the passengers a supreme standard of grand touring comfort tailored to their individual requirements.

The rear seat backrests fold down completely to allow appropriate adjustment of interior space for all needs.

In practice, this means that the driver and passengers are able to conveniently stow even bulky sports equipment such as mountain bikes or wakeboards securely held in position by special fastening systems.

When open, the MINI Beachcomber Concept is also able to carry extra-long objects, such as surfboards, with ease. Fastened firmly to the lateral support, surfboards fit conveniently into the car, sticking out at the top on the way to the beach.

The driver and passengers enjoy convenient access to the luggage compartment though the rear panel split vertically down the middle into two sections. Whenever necessary, the right-hand side may remain fully open for bulky objects extending out of the car at the rear.

The left rear element, in turn, is a window-less door hinged at the side and extends up to the seat backrests.

The additional storage case fitted on to the door is reminiscent in its round shape of a fully enclosed spare wheel holder of the type often seen on a conventional off-roader.

However, since the MINI Beachcomber Concept is equipped with runflat tires and therefore does not require a spare wheel, the lockable case may be used to take along additional luggage, keeping beach mats, towels, surf shoes or similar odds and ends within easy reach at all times.

The MINI Beachcomber Concept is built for the sunny side of life and is simply perfect for spontaneous action. Through its optimum flexibility, the car is able to meet many different requirements, naturally coping with any sudden change in outdoor conditions.

This gives the MINI Beachcomber Concept all the qualities required for everyday motoring, with several options that cater to changing demands and weather conditions.

The soft roof offers convenient and effective protection from rain and weather, and comes off the body completely and folds up into a compact unit. Whenever required, the roof may be drawn over the car within a few minutes, like a tonneau cover on a boat, fastening conveniently on the windshield frame, the rear panel and the side openings.

Made of an extremely light, yet very robust fiber, the roof comes with transparent plastic inserts serving as side and rear windows.

In its functional qualities, the roof follows the same standard as the most sophisticated and demanding outdoor wear, combining maximum protection from wind and rain with minimum weight.