Mini Superleggera Vision Concept

Mini Superleggera Vision Concept ( 2014 )

Mini Superleggera Vision Concept

The BMW Group celebrates the meeting of the time-honoured and the contemporary at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2014 with a very special concept: the MINI Superleggera Vision. This exclusive interpretation of an open-top two-seater was created by MINI and Touring Superleggera, the tradition-steeped design and coach building house based in Milan. The MINI Superleggera Vision is on the one hand a classic roadster, a compact and agile two-seater, expressing the most minimalist and emotional style of motoring; and on the other hand its electric drivetrain gives the car distinctly modern driving dynamics. In collaboration with MINI, Touring Superleggera has designed and built an elaborately crafted, unique model which blends the tradition of classic coachwork construction with the MINI’s authentic British styling to create timeless aesthetic appeal.

Modern Britishness meets Italian flair: the iconic design of MINI meets elegant, athletic beauty – interpreted in contemporary style.
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2014 Mini Superleggera Vision Concept

Adrian van Hooydonk, Senior Vice President BMW Group Design on the concept: “Touring Superleggera and MINI have much in common: both companies attach great importance to their history and this is something which defines their outward appearance to this day. What is more, they both emphasise iconic design and distinctive solutions. These elements are merged in the MINI SuperleggeraTM Vision to create an elegant automobile which interprets a British roadster under the influence of Italian style and hand craftsmanship.”

British design with an Italian accent – the exterior design

“The MINI SuperleggeraTM Vision elegantly perpetuates what the Classic Mini started 55 years ago: reduction to the essentials. Its energetic, minimalistic design embodies the dynamic essence of an automobile. At the same time it creates unique emotional beauty in combining the past and future of the automotive industry, i.e. traditional coachwork craftsmanship and modern design styling. It was a pleasure for me to design a concept like this.” says Anders Warming, Head of MINI Design.

The perfectly balanced proportions indicate at first glance what the electrically powered MINI Superleggera Vision has to offer in terms of a driving experience: the stretched bonnet, long wheelbase and cool, short overhangs convey pure driving fun. As in every MINI, the wheels are set widely on the body, promising a high degree of agility. The passenger cell is slightly set back, further underscoring the car’s dynamic impression. The overall effect of the MINI Superleggera Vision is sporty, elegant and dynamic.

The front of the MINI Superleggera Vision features the traditional MINI design icons: two circular headlights and a hexagonal grille define the unmistakable front section, providing a contemporary interpretation of features which have become firmly established over decades. There are also striking classic sports car elements such as a wide track and distinctively curved wheel arches that give the front a dynamic presence. The classic MINI bonnet stripes are three-dimensionally embossed and run on into high-quality polished aluminum accents. The inlaid bonnet harks back to classic British roadsters of bygone days.

Meanwhile the horizontal rib look of the radiator grille adds a classic sporty touch. The fact that it is closed is a discreet indication of the car’s electric motor. The two fog lights echo the circular contours of the headlamps, providing a smaller interpretation of them in the radiator grille. The air inlets are also circular, giving the front section a distinctive touch. A flat front splitter made of carbon fibre closes off the front to the road, thereby underscoring the car’s sporty statement down to the last detail.

Classic coachwork construction in a cutting-edge interpretation

The striking element of the side view is the characteristic “Touring” line. It embodies both the high art of coachwork building and classic aesthetics. Surrounded by tight, seamless surfaces, it traces a precise, vibrant movement from the front wheels through to the rear. This reflects the great craftsmanship and longstanding experience of Touring Superleggera in area of body construction: ever since it was founded the company has stood for fine, light sports car bodies. To this day, Touring Superleggera shapes large aluminium sheets by hand using the most performing frame structures. The hand-crafted style of construction gives the MINI Superleggera Vision an aesthetic form which would be virtually impossible to achieve by machine manufacture.

“MINI and Touring both believe that proportions are the key factor of beauty, and share the same values of essentiality and innovation” says Louis de Fabribeckers, Head of design of Touring Superleggera. “In this car all unnecessary equipment or decoration is sacrificed, as performance is gained through lightness and efficiency of the bodywork and interior. The Italian touch is in the proportions and the typical waistline.”

There are very few gaps in the body since it is constructed from large sheets of metal. The result is a closed look that conveys high-quality elegance. The specially developed exterior paint finish Como Blue, almost liquid in effect, stands for both classic and modern style. It particularly underlines the refined Italian touch of the MINI Superleggera Vision. The elaborate rims and the elegant exterior mirrors in long-hole look complete with a mirror base in polished aluminium add exclusive accentuations at the side. Echoing the front section, the discreet CFRP sills underscore the sporty character of the MINI Superleggera Vision.

Meanwhile the striking fin defines the look of the rear, adding a touch of extravagance. It gives the MINI Superleggera Vision a particular longitudinal dynamics while at the same time embodying the unconventional air of both MINI and Touring Superleggera. Like the “Touring” line at the side, it is modeled with enormous precision. The highlight of the flat, wide rear is the unusual lights: designed in the form of a Union Jack divided in two, they combine functionality and symbolism in a way never seen before. In this way they express the British roots of the MINI Superleggera Vision while at the same time emphasising the modern LED technology as already used in the new MINI. A chrome bar demarcates the rear lights at the centre of the rear, making this area a classic British jewellery icon. The CFRP diffuser rounds off the rear to the road in sporty style.

Echoing the exterior – the interior design

The exterior and interior design of the MINI Superleggera Vision merge seamlessly. Only a surrounding shoulder line in polished aluminium visually separates the exterior and interior from each other. The border creates an encircling, sporty gesture that consistently perpetuates the clear elegance and generous surfaces of the exterior.

In its styling and in the look and feel of its materials, the interior design celebrates the tradition and the essence of classic coachwork construction. It reflects how the automobile was created: the essential features are quoted – the untreated aluminium sheeting and the tube-shaped structural elements – and they are made visible in the interior by means of a high-quality interpretation. This is most striking in the dashboard. The latter is created from a single aluminium sheet and has been left in the state the automobile body would look like without a paint finish. The generously sized unpainted surfaces and the clearly visible hand craftsmanship of the dashboard go together to reflect the skilled artistry of the coachbuilders. The doors and the sporty 3-spoke steering wheel likewise reveal the traditional method of construction. The structural elements in the doors form a Union Jack, discreetly indicating the British origins of the MINI Superleggera Vision.

The Center Instrument in the middle of the instrument panel draws on MINI design styling and has been extended for the MINI Superleggera Vision to include a touch-sensitive control element and two circular instruments with metal surrounds on the right. In addition to the analog clock on the far right, the second framed instrument activates the camera which is integrated between the driver and front passenger seat. It has the function of capturing those particularly worthwhile moments on the road.

Classic and modern to equal degrees – colour and material design

The classic materials aluminium and leather in a virtually untreated state define the reduced aesthetics of the MINI Superleggera Vision in the interior. Below the shoulder covered in brown leather in the classical color Sabbia, the materials are kept to the essentials. The structural elements in the doors and centre console are finished in high-quality black chrome, exclusively set apart from the aluminium surfaces and the raw, matt textured paint finish in the footwell area. This deliberately contrasting mixture of structured surfaces and high-end materials gives the MINI Superleggera Vision an exceptional charm. The sporty bucket seats are reminiscent of bygone MINI motor racing achievements and are covered in high-quality black leather. True to the MINI Motto “Hide & Reveal”, accentuations in Misty Magenta provide a touch of Italian flair in tongue-in-cheek MINI style in concealed spots such as the two hot air outlets under the instrument panel and inside the door openings in the structural elements of the doors.

Coachbuilding in 2014

Since 1926, Touring Superleggera is forerunner of advanced automotive design and custom coachbuilding. The company is one of the rare firms offering the whole in-house productive cycle from the first sketch, all the way through surface engineering and structural analysis, style models and prototypes, to turn-key, low-volume production of special bodywork.

“We are delighted that MINI wanted to stimulate an independent initiative and particularly Italian design for the first time”, says Piero Mancardi, CEO of Touring Superleggera. He continues: “This project also shows MINIs attention to preserving and nurturing the skills of craftsmanship incorporated in modern coach building.”

The MINI Superleggera Vision epitomizes the potential of “Carrozzeria” in today’s automobile industry: blending creativity and flexibility with rigor and respect of high standards. The result is a car of classic beauty that is also state of the art.

MINI SUPERLEGGERA VISION

Потрясающая идея – взять лучшее из британских автомобильных традиций и соединить с итальянским дизайном и мастерством ручной работы. Так и получился сенсационный MINI Superleggera Vision. Ему есть что предъявить миру: восхитительный экстерьер, скорость, от которой замирает сердце, техника на пике прогресса. Невероятная вещь!

А теперь представим себе нечто совсем иное: MINI в виде классического спидстера. Достаточно одного взгляда, чтобы увидеть в этом концепте квинтэссенцию удовольствия от вождения. Вытянутый капот, длинная колесная база и короткие свесы кузова вызывают то ощущение счастья, которые ассоциируется с классическим британским родстером. Автомобиль собран вручную на облегченной пространственной раме из алюминиевых труб. Стремительная линия силуэта тянется вдоль всего кузова – от края капота до заднего плавника.

ЗНАКОМЫЙ ОБЛИК

Родовые черты этого необычного MINI безошибочно узнаются по круглым фарам, шестиугольной решетке радиатора, полосам на капоте и другим фирменным деталям. Это – знакомые и любимые черты, положенные в основу смелого нового видения.

ВСЕ ПОД КОНТРОЛЕМ

Экстерьер и интерьер MINI Superleggera – это безупречно выдержанный стиль. Лаконичный, он ограничивается только самым необходимым. Простое и элегантное трехспицевое рулевое колесо выглядит элегантно и традиционно, а ультрасовременные сенсорные элементы управления отдают дань техническому прогрессу. Другая особенность этого потрясающего дизайна заключается в том, что он не отвлекает внимание водителя от дороги.

СИЛЬНЫЙ СОЮЗ.

Британские корни выражены у концепта MINI Superleggera достаточно основательно – в уникальном свежем сочетании функциональности и символики. А светодиодная техника подчеркивает техническую гордость этой будущей классики.

ЧЕЛОВЕЧЕСКИЙ ФАКТОР

Итальянский стиль и ручная работа делают красивой каждую деталь. Каждый элемент радует своим видом и доставляет удовольствие при прикосновении. Ателье Superleggera ведет свои традиции с 1926 года и знаменито своим вниманием к деталям. Все работы по отделке салона производятся вручную по индивидуальному заказу и с использованием высококачественных материалов, как, например, алюминий и кожа.

СИЛЬНЫЙ СОЮЗ.

ИДЕАЛЕН В ПОВОРОТАХ

MINI не был бы MINI без своей картинговой управляемости. А за счет инновационного кузова и шасси с широкой колеей она возведена на принципиально новую высоту.

Концепт MINI Superleggera не только отдает дань золотой эре автомобилей – он устремлен в будущее. Об этом свидетельствует его современная электронная начинка. Сочетание традиционного дерева и кожи с футуристическим алюминием создает поразительный эффект. А уважение к британскому гоночному наследию проявлено с подлинно итальянским вкусом.

Mini Superleggera Vision

Оформление подписки

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Последние новости о Mini Superleggera Vision

Британцы фактически подтвердили намерения поставить на конвейер эксцентричный родстер по мотивам Mini Superleggera Vision, хотя “живые” автомобили появятся очень нескоро – в 2019 году. Как и все новые Mini, стильная модель с открытым верхом будет максимально унифицирована с переднеприводными BMW.

Некоторое время назад журналисты сообщили, что у выпускающейся сейчас модели Z4 появится “младшая сестра” – более компактный переднеприводный родстер. Теперь же ходят слухи, что вместо него в производство запустят новую модель марки Mini.

В компании Mini решили поставить на конвейер концептуальный родстер Superleggera Vision, который был представлен публике в мае 2014 года на конкурсе элегантности в Вилла д’Эсте и получил самые теплые отзывы общественности. Серийная версия имиджевого автомобиля должна дебютировать в 2018 году и попутно обзавестись “нормальной” крышей.

Концепт Mini Superleggera Vision, представленный весной нынешнего года, многие посчитали одним из самых красивых Mini последнего времени. Неудивительно, что компания задумалась: не поставить ли такую модель на поток? Правда, по словам члена правления BMW и шефа марки MINI Петера Шварценбауера, до принятия решения ждать ещё минимум полгода. Нужно просчитать варианты — выгоднее делать родстер самим или отдать контрактному производителю? Тем не менее показательна утечка рисунков из патентного ведомства. На них — Superleggera Vision в серийном варианте.

В совете директоров BMW продолжают раздумывать о дальнейшей судьбе проекта Mini Superleggera, оригинального родстера, созданного совместно с итальянским ателье Touring Superleggera. Руководство концерна планирует принять окончательное решение в течение шести месяцев.

MINI › Родстер Superleggera Vision напомнил об интересе MINI к электрокарам

Конёк ателье Touring Superleggera — алюминиевые панели большого размера, выколачиваемые вручную. Минимальное число стыков — одна из особенностей, придающих шоу-кару особый шарм. Сплиттер и пороги — из углеволоконного композита.

Миланское кузовное ателье Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera совместно с компанией MINI построило для Конкурса элегантности в Италии родстер Mini Superleggera Vision. Его сравнительно простые формы, минимализм как в экстерьере, так и в интерьере — это дань памяти классическому хэтчбеку Mini, появившемуся 55 лет назад.

При желании в новом родстере действительно можно усмотреть отдельные черты бессмертного творения сэра Алека Иссигониса. Передняя панель в концепте выполнена из целого алюминиевого листа. Ручки дверей покрыты чёрным хромом. Их форма — стилизованный Юнион Джек.

Не один оригинальный Mini вдохновлял дизайнеров Touring Superleggera, но и британские родстеры середины прошлого века. Намёки на них можно найти во внешности: рельефные полосы на капоте, украшенные декоративными элементами из полированного алюминия, киль в задней части двухдверки, да и сами пропорции кузова с удлинённым капотом, относительно малыми свесами, рельефными крыльями.

Для шоу-кара авторы разработали оригинальный цвет Como Blue. Очевидная отсылка к озеру Комо, на берегах которого и дебютировал концепт в минувшие выходные.

Настроение в интерьере задают алюминий и кожа цвета Sabbia. Намеренный отход от ретро — сенсорный дисплей в центре. В его контуры вписана и пара круглых приборов. Один из них — стрелочные часы, а второй — виртуальная кнопка записи, активирующая камеру, установленную между сиденьями.

Ещё год назад представители компании говорили, что модельному ряду Mini грозит сокращение. И, в частности, будущее модели Roadster печально: ему на смену придёт совсем другой автомобиль спортивного толка. Потому Mini Superleggera Vision если и является намёком на некое будущее, то очень и очень завуалированным. Здесь куда важнее не внешний вид и даже не тип кузова. Дело в том, что новый концепт — электромобиль.

В 2008 году компания создала электрическую трёхдверку Mini E, которая в 2009–2010 годах пошла в ограниченное производство. Несколько сотен машин было передано на потребительское тестирование в США и в некоторые страны Европы (сити-кары отдавались в лизинг). Опыт эксплуатации данных электрокаров пригодился при запуске в серию модели BMW i3, а главное — послужил основой для дальнейшего движения: работы над электрокаром на базе нового Mini.

Создатели Mini Superleggera Vision практически ничего не говорят о технической составляющей или о том, агрегаты какого автомобиля послужили основой для концепта. Но в любом случае родстер с электромотором — это не только дань экологической моде, но и своеобразное средство поддержки для будущего серийного электрического хэтчбека.

Рельефные фонари Mini Superleggera Vision — это британский флаг, разделённый надвое.

Добавим, что в истории Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera были эпизоды сотрудничества с такими компаниями, как Alfa Romeo, Aston Martin, Lamborghini и Ferrari, а вот с маркой MINI — это первый совместный проект миланского бюро. Если же говорить о материнской компании BMW, то для неё это возврат к кооперации с Touring Superleggera аж с 1940 года, когда итальянцы построили для немцев двухдверку BMW 328 Mille Miglia Touring Coupe (снимок внизу).

В 1940-м германский спорткар с итальянской оболочкой выиграл гонку Mille Miglia, преодолев маршрут со средней скоростью почти 167 км/ч. А в 2004 году он же стал первым в истории автомобилем, записавшим на свой счёт победу не только в оригинальном состязании, но и в современной интерпретации гонки, проводимой уже для классических автомобилей-ветеранов.

Компания Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera — одна из многочисленных итальянских фирм, которые в 1930–1960-х годах вручную изготавливали уникальные спорткары на шасси от известных автопроизводителей. Потом число таких компаний радикально сократилось, да и сама Touring Superleggera на полвека исчезла с горизонта. Но в 2006 году она была возрождена новыми владельцами. Вскоре последовали единичные шоу-кары и мелкосерийные модели тиражом в несколько экземпляров. Это созданные на основе Maserati купе A8 GCS Touring Berlinetta и пятидверка Bellagio Fastback, перекроенный «британец» Bentley Continental Flying Star c кузовом типа Shooting Brake, суперкар Gumpert Tornante и купе Disco Volante на шасси Alfa Romeo 8C.

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Mini Superleggera Vision Concept (+ скетчи)

Mini представил на ежегодном фестивале Concorso d’Eleganza at Villa d’Este концептуальный родстер Superleggera Vision.

Облик легкого двухместного Mini Superleggera Vision, напоминающего классические британские прогулочные родстеры, был разработан совместно мюнхенской студией концерна BMW и итальянским ателье Touring Superleggera . За постройку кузова отвечали итальянцы – кузовные панели изготавливали по старинке, выколачивая их вручную из стальных листов. Superleggera Vision является прообразом будущей серийной модели, которая станет флагманом продуктового ряда Mini. Кроме того, на концепте дизайнеры отработали возможное направление развития фирменного стиля марки.

По габаритам Mini Superleggera Vision чуть крупнее серийного Mini Roadster. Среди интересных деталей экстерьера: карбоновый сплиттер переднего бампера, безрамочное остекление, хвостовой плавник, задние фонари, напоминающие по форме Union Jack, 19-дюймовые многоспицевые колеса.

Интерьер сделан нарочито упрощенным и напоминает салоны классических автомобилей: передняя панель накрыта изогнутым неокрашенным листом стали.

В движение концепт-кар приводится электроприводом.

MINI Superleggera Vision – самый элегантный MINI

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MINI Superleggera Vision – это единичный совместный проект компании MINI Cooper и итальянской студии Carozzeria Touring, известной благодаря авторскому видению автомобилей от других производителей.

В результате сотрудничества этих компаний получился элегантный автомобиль MINI Superleggera Vision, внешне напоминающий классический родстер (двухдверный спортивный кабриолет) шестидесятых годов.

Внешне MINI Superleggera Vision похож на классический MINI лишь отдельными элементами дизайна. К примеру, в нем легко узнать знакомые очертания передней части легендарной британской малолитражки. Однако в остальном, как в визуальной, так и в технической части различия весьма существенны.

В отделке MINI Superleggera Vision использовались кожа, ценные породы древесины и алюминий. А из наиболее бросающихся в глаза элементов дизайна можно назвать необычный «плавник» в задней части авто.

Насчет технической составляющей автомобиля MINI Superleggera Vision информации мало. Известно только, что этот элегантный родстер является электромобилем.

MINI Superleggera Vision создана компаниями MINI Cooper и Carozzeria Touring для участия в престижном конкурсе элегантных автомобилей в Вилла д’Эсте в Италии. Кстати, именно для этого соревнования была разработана и другая уже известная нам машина – Phantom Drophead Coupe Waterspeed от Rolls-Royce.

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MINI Superleggera Vision Concept

The MINI Superleggera Vision is a concept developed by MINI and This exclusive interpretation of an open-top two-seater was created by MINI and Touring and inspired by British and Italian classic roadsters.

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For the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2014 BMW Group – main sponsor of the event – has partnered with Italian coachbuilder Touring Superleggera to create an open-top two-seater that combines the typical body construction used by Italian coachbuilders with the MINI’s British styling.

Powered by an electric drivetrain, the MINI Superleggera Vision features a hand-shaped metal bodywith clean shapes inspired by classic European roadsters.

Compared to most MINI concept cars, the Superleggera Vision departs from the classic surface treatment, introducing new elements such as the “Touring” side character line and an original rear end, featuring a distinctive fin and Union Jack-themed LED tail lights.

Traditional MINI styling cues include the front end – with the circular headlights and hexagonal grille – and the hood stripes that are “embossed” in the sheet metal.

The interior reflects traditional coachwork construction in terms of materials and styling, combined with the icons of MINI interior design and high-end materials such as leather, aluminium and black chrome highlights.

Check the photo gallery or read more details in the official press release reported below.

From the official Press Release:

Official Statements

Adrian van Hooydonk, Senior Vice President BMW Group Design on the concept: “Touring Superleggera and MINI have much in common: both companies attach great importance to their history and this is something which defines their outward appearance to this day. What is more, they both emphasise iconic design and distinctive solutions. These elements are merged in the MINI SuperleggeraTM Vision to create an elegant automobile which interprets a British roadster under the influence of Italian style and hand craftsmanship.”

Exterior Design

The balanced proportions are characterized by the stretched hood, long wheelbase and short overhangs, all conveying a sense of driving fun. As in every MINI, the wheels are set widely on the body, promising a high degree of agility.

The passenger cell is slightly set back, further underscoring the car’s dynamic impression. The overall effect of the MINI Superleggera™ Vision is sporty, elegant and dynamic.

The classic MINI bonnet stripes are three-dimensionally embossed and run on into high-quality polished aluminum accents. The inlaid bonnet harks back to classic British roadsters of bygone days. Meanwhile the horizontal rib look of the radiator grille adds a classic sporty touch. The fact that it is closed is a discreet indication of the car’s electric motor.

The two fog lights echo the circular contours of the headlamps, providing a smaller interpretation of them in the radiator grille. The air inlets are also circular, giving the front section a distinctive touch. A flat front splitter made of carbon fibre closes off the front to the road, thereby underscoring the car’s sporty statement down to the last detail.

The striking element of the side view is the characteristic “Touring” line, which embodies both the art of coachwork building and classic aesthetics.

Surrounded by tight, seamless surfaces, it traces a precise, vibrant movement from the front wheels through to the rear. This reflects the great craftsmanship and longstanding experience of Touring Superleggera in area of body construction: ever since it was founded the company has stood for fine, light sports car bodies.

To this day, Touring Superleggera™ shapes large aluminium sheets by hand using the most performing frame structures. The hand-crafted style of construction gives the MINI Superleggera Vision an aesthetic form which would be virtually impossible to achieve by machine manufacture.

“MINI and Touring both believe that proportions are the key factor of beauty, and share the same values of essentiality and innovation” says Louis de Fabribeckers, Head of design of Touring Superleggera.

“In this car all unnecessary equipment or decoration is sacrificed, as performance is gained through lightness and efficiency of the bodywork and interior. The Italian touch is in the proportions and the typical waistline.”

There are very few gaps in the body since it is constructed from large sheets of metal. The result is a closed look that conveys high-quality elegance.

The specially developed exterior paint finish Como Blue, almost liquid in effect, stands for both classic and modern style. It particularly underlines the refined Italian touch of the MINI Superleggera™ Vision.

The elaborate rims and the elegant exterior mirrors in long-hole look complete with a mirror base in polished aluminium add exclusive accentuations at the side. Echoing the front section, the discreet CFRP sills underscore the sporty character of the MINI Superleggera™ Vision.

The highlight of the flat, wide rear is the unusual lights: designed in the form of a Union Jack divided in two, they combine functionality and symbolism in a way never seen before. In this way they express the British roots of the MINI Superleggera™ Vision while at the same time emphasising the modern LED technology as already used in the new MINI.

A chrome bar demarcates the rear lights at the centre of the rear, making this area a classic British jewellery icon. The CFRP diffuser rounds off the rear to the road in sporty style.

Interior Design

The exterior and interior design of the MINI Superleggera™ Vision merge seamlessly. Only a surrounding shoulder line in polished aluminium visually separates the exterior and interior from each other. The border creates an encircling, sporty gesture that consistently perpetuates the clear elegance and generous surfaces of the exterior.

The latter is created from a single aluminium sheet and has been left in the state the automobile body would look like without a paint finish.

The generously sized unpainted surfaces and the clearly visible hand craftsmanship of the dashboard go together to reflect the skilled artistry of the coachbuilders. The doors and the sporty 3-spoke steering wheel likewise reveal the traditional method of construction. The structural elements in the doors form a Union Jack, discreetly indicating the British origins of the MINI Superleggera™ Vision.

The Center Instrument in the middle of the instrument panel draws on MINI design styling and has been extended for the MINI Superleggera™ Vision to include a touch-sensitive control element and two circular instruments with metal surrounds on the right. In addition to the analog clock on the far right, the second framed instrument activates the camera which is integrated between the driver and front passenger seat. It has the function of capturing those particularly worthwhile moments on the road.

Color and material design

The classic materials aluminium and leather in a virtually untreated state define the reduced aesthetics of the MINI Superleggera™ Vision in the interior. Below the shoulder covered in brown leather in the classical color Sabbia, the materials are kept to the essentials.

The structural elements in the doors and centre console are finished in high-quality black chrome, exclusively set apart from the aluminium surfaces and the raw, matt textured paint finish in the footwell area. This deliberately contrasting mixture of structured surfaces and high-end materials gives the MINI Superleggera™ Vision an exceptional charm.

The sporty bucket seats are reminiscent of bygone MINI motor racing achievements and are covered in high-quality black leather. True to the MINI Motto “Hide & Reveal”, accentuations in Misty Magenta provide a touch of Italian flair in tongue-in-cheek MINI style in concealed spots such as the two hot air outlets under the instrument panel and inside the door openings in the structural elements of the doors.

(Source: MINI, Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera)

Mini Superleggera Vision Concept

By AutoConception Staff

Posted: May 24, 2014

BMW has unveiled the MINI Superleggera Vision – a concept car designed specially for this year’s Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este.

The electrically powered open-top two-seater has been created by MINI and Touring Superleggera, a design and coach building house based in Milan.

“The MINI Superleggera Vision elegantly perpetuates what the Classic Mini started 55 years ago: reduction to the essentials. Its energetic, minimalistic design embodies the dynamic essence of an automobile,” says Anders Warming, Head of MINI Design.

Conventional MINI design cues in the form of two circular headlights and a hexagonal grille are immediately apparent at the front of the car, while the traditional MINI bonnet stripes are three-dimensionally embossed and run on into polished aluminium accents.

Meanwhile the radiator grille takes on a horizontal rib look; the fact that it is closed is a discreet indication of the car’s electric motor. The two fog lights echo the circular contours of the headlamps, providing a smaller interpretation of them in the radiator grille. The air inlets are also circular, while a flat front splitter made of carbon-fibre closes off the front to the road.

The key element of the side view is the “Touring” line, which travels from the front wheels right through to the rear. “In this car all unnecessary equipment or decoration is sacrificed, as performance is gained through lightness and efficiency of the bodywork and interior. The Italian touch is in the proportions and the typical waistline,” says Louis de Fabribeckers, Head of design of Touring Superleggera.

At the back, the highlight of the flat, wide rear is the unusual lights: designed in the form of a Union Jack divided in two, they aim to combine both functionality and symbolism.

The British roots of MINI are again highlighted on the inside, with the structural elements in the doors also forming a Union Jack. The dashboard, meanwhile, is created from a single aluminium sheet and has been left in the state the car body would look like without a paint finish. BMW designers say the cabin’s generously sized unpainted surfaces and the handformed dashboard are meant to serve as a “celebration” of classic coachwork construction.

The 2014 MINI Superleggera Vision represents the first ever design collaboration between MINI and Touring Superleggera, with the latter being a famed name in the world of Italian “Carrozzeria”.

The coachbuilder used wind tunnel tests as early as in the 30s and patented the “Superleggera” construction system, featuring aluminium body panels over a light and stiff tubular steel frame. Significant Touring designs span from the flamboyant 1931 Villa d’Este winner Isotta Fraschini “Flying Star” spider to the Ferrari 166 Touring “Barchetta”, the Maserati 3500, and the first Lamborghini ever, the 350-400GT.

Touring’s Alfa Romeo Disco Volante, built by hand in a limited run of just eight units, won the Design Award at Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2013.

The BMW Group has organised the Concorso, jointly with the Grand Hotel Villa d’Este, for the last ten years.

2014 MINI Superleggera Vision Concept

MINI SUPERLEGGERA™ VISION – TIMELESS BEAUTY THAT BLENDS THE TRADITIONAL WITH THE MODERN

Munich/Cernobbio. The BMW Group celebrates the meeting of the time-honoured and the contemporary at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2014 with a very special concept: the MINI Superleggera™ Vision. This exclusive interpretation of an open-top two-seater was created by MINI and Touring Superleggera, the tradition-steeped design and coach building house based in Milan. The MINI Superleggera™ Vision is on the one hand a classic roadster, a compact and agile two-seater, expressing the most minimalist and emotional style of motoring; and on the other hand its electric drivetrain gives the car distinctly modern driving dynamics. In collaboration with MINI, Touring Superleggera™ has designed and built an elaborately crafted, unique model which blends the tradition of classic coachwork construction with the MINI’s authentic British styling to create timeless aesthetic appeal.
◾Modern Britishness meets Italian flair: the iconic design of MINI meets elegant, athletic beauty – interpreted in contemporary style.
◾Classic Italian body construction and hand-shaped metal sheeting give the MINI SuperleggeraTM Vision a unique emotional appeal.
◾Both on the inside and outside, the form is reduced to the maximum extent so as to achieve a clear focus on the distinctive driving experience.
◾The interior reflects traditional coachwork construction in terms of materials and styling, combined with the icons of MINI interior design.
◾High-end materials such as leather, aluminium and black chrome highlight the clear aesthetics of the interior.

Adrian van Hooydonk, Senior Vice President BMW Group Design on the concept: ‘Touring Superleggera and MINI have much in common: both companies attach great importance to their history and this is something which defines their outward appearance to this day. What is more, they both emphasise iconic design and distinctive solutions. These elements are merged in the MINI SuperleggeraTM Vision to create an elegant automobile which interprets a British roadster under the influence of Italian style and hand craftsmanship.’

British design with an Italian accent – the exterior design.

‘The MINI SuperleggeraTM Vision elegantly perpetuates what the Classic Mini started 55 years ago: reduction to the essentials. Its energetic, minimalistic design embodies the dynamic essence of an automobile. At the same time it creates unique emotional beauty in combining the past and future of the automotive industry, i.e. traditional coachwork craftsmanship and modern design styling. It was a pleasure for me to design a concept like this.’ says Anders Warming, Head of MINI Design.

The perfectly balanced proportions indicate at first glance what the electrically powered MINI Superleggera™ Vision has to offer in terms of a driving experience: the stretched bonnet, long wheelbase and cool, short overhangs convey pure driving fun. As in every MINI, the wheels are set widely on the body, promising a high degree of agility. The passenger cell is slightly set back, further underscoring the car’s dynamic impression. The overall effect of the MINI Superleggera™ Vision is sporty, elegant and dynamic.

The front of the MINI Superleggera™ Vision features the traditional MINI design icons: two circular headlights and a hexagonal grille define the unmistakable front section, providing a contemporary interpretation of features which have become firmly established over decades. There are also striking classic sports car elements such as a wide track and distinctively curved wheel arches that give the front a dynamic presence. The classic MINI bonnet stripes are three-dimensionally embossed and run on into high-quality polished aluminum accents. The inlaid bonnet harks back to classic British roadsters of bygone days.

Classic coachwork construction in a cutting-edge interpretation.
The striking element of the side view is the characteristic ‘Touring’ line. It embodies both the high art of coachwork building and classic aesthetics. Surrounded by tight, seamless surfaces, it traces a precise, vibrant movement from the front wheels through to the rear. This reflects the great craftsmanship and longstanding experience of Touring Superleggera in area of body construction: ever since it was founded the company has stood for fine, light sports car bodies. To this day, Touring Superleggera™ shapes large aluminium sheets by hand using the most performing frame structures. The hand-crafted style of construction gives the MINI Superleggera Vision an aesthetic form which would be virtually impossible to achieve by machine manufacture.

‘MINI and Touring both believe that proportions are the key factor of beauty, and share the same values of essentiality and innovation’ says Louis de Fabribeckers, Head of design of Touring Superleggera. ‘In this car all unnecessary equipment or decoration is sacrificed, as performance is gained through lightness and efficiency of the bodywork and interior. The Italian touch is in the proportions and the typical waistline.’

There are very few gaps in the body since it is constructed from large sheets of metal. The result is a closed look that conveys high-quality elegance. The specially developed exterior paint finish Como Blue, almost liquid in effect, stands for both classic and modern style. It particularly underlines the refined Italian touch of the MINI Superleggera™ Vision. The elaborate rims and the elegant exterior mirrors in long-hole look complete with a mirror base in polished aluminium add exclusive accentuations at the side. Echoing the front section, the discreet CFRP sills underscore the sporty character of the MINI Superleggera™ Vision.

Meanwhile the striking fin defines the look of the rear, adding a touch of extravagance. It gives the MINI Superleggera™ Vision a particular longitudinal dynamics while at the same time embodying the unconventional air of both MINI and Touring Superleggera. Like the ‘Touring’ line at the side, it is modeled with enormous precision. The highlight of the flat, wide rear is the unusual lights: designed in the form of a Únion Jack divided in two, they combine functionality and symbolism in a way never seen before. In this way they express the British roots of the MINI Superleggera™ Vision while at the same time emphasising the modern LED technology as already used in the new MINI. A chrome bar demarcates the rear lights at the centre of the rear, making this area a classic British jewellery icon. The CFRP diffuser rounds off the rear to the road in sporty style.

Echoing the exterior – the interior design.
The exterior and interior design of the MINI Superleggera™ Vision merge seamlessly. Only a surrounding shoulder line in polished aluminium visually separates the exterior and interior from each other. The border creates an encircling, sporty gesture that consistently perpetuates the clear elegance and generous surfaces of the exterior.

In its styling and in the look and feel of its materials, the interior design celebrates the tradition and the essence of classic coachwork construction. It reflects how the automobile was created: the essential features are quoted – the untreated aluminium sheeting and the tube-shaped structural elements – and they are made visible in the interior by means of a high-quality interpretation. This is most striking in the dashboard. The latter is created from a single aluminium sheet and has been left in the state the automobile body would look like without a paint finish. The generously sized unpainted surfaces and the clearly visible hand craftsmanship of the dashboard go together to reflect the skilled artistry of the coachbuilders. The doors and the sporty 3-spoke steering wheel likewise reveal the traditional method of construction. The structural elements in the doors form a Únion Jack, discreetly indicating the British origins of the MINI Superleggera™ Vision.

Classic and modern to equal degrees – colour and material design.
The classic materials aluminium and leather in a virtually untreated state define the reduced aesthetics of the MINI Superleggera™ Vision in the interior. Below the shoulder covered in brown leather in the classical color Sabbia, the materials are kept to the essentials. The structural elements in the doors and centre console are finished in high-quality black chrome, exclusively set apart from the aluminium surfaces and the raw, matt textured paint finish in the footwell area. This deliberately contrasting mixture of structured surfaces and high-end materials gives the MINI Superleggera™ Vision an exceptional charm. The sporty bucket seats are reminiscent of bygone MINI motor racing achievements and are covered in high-quality black leather. True to the MINI Motto ‘Hide & Reveal’, accentuations in Misty Magenta provide a touch of Italian flair in tongue-in-cheek MINI style in concealed spots such as the two hot air outlets under the instrument panel and inside the door openings in the structural elements of the doors.

Coachbuilding in 2014.

The MINI Superleggera™ Vision epitomizes the potential of ‘Carrozzeria’ in today’s automobile industry: blending creativity and flexibility with rigor and respect of high standards. ( posted on conceptcarz.com) The result is a car of classic beauty that is also state of the art.

The BMW Group is the leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles in the world with its BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce brands. As a global company, the BMW Group operates 28 production and assembly facilities in 13 countries and has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2013, the BMW Group sold approximately 1.963 million cars and 115,215 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax for the financial year 2013 was € 7.91 billion on revenues amounting to approximately € 76.06 billion. As of 31 December 2013, the BMW Group had a workforce of 110,351 employees.

The success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. The company has therefore established ecological and social sustainability throughout the value chain, comprehensive product responsibility and a clear commitment to conserving resources as an integral part of its strategy.

About Touring Superleggera
Since 1926, Touring Superleggera is an iconic name of Italian ‘Carrozzeria’. From the very beginning, the Touring design is hallmarked by perfect proportions, purity, integrity, simplicity result in timeless sporty elegance.

Touring used wind tunnel tests as early as in the 30s and patented the ‘Superleggera’ construction system, featuring aluminium body panels over a light and stiff tubular steel frame. Significant Touring designs span from the flamboyant 1931 Villa d’Este winner Isotta Fraschini ‘Flying Star’ spider to the Ferrari 166 Touring „Barchetta’, the Maserati 3500, the first Lamborghini ever, the 350-400GT. Another iconic automobile is due to Touring: the Aston Martin DB4, followed by the DB5 and 6, manufactured in Newport Pagnell under license for the Superleggera bodywork system.

Recent models include the Maserati Bellagio Fastback and the two-seater Touring Berlinetta winner of the ‘Best Supercar of the Year’ award in 2009.

In 2010 came the acclaimed Bentley Continental Flying Star, manufactured with the endorsement of Bentley Motors, followed by the Gumpert Tornante (2011), a superfast GT commissioned by the German extreme sports car specialist.

In 2012 Touring celebrated a masterpiece from its rich heritage, taking inspiration from the Alfa C52 Disco Volante of sixty years before. The innovative, breathtaking Alfa Romeo Disco Volante, built by hand in a limited run of up to eight units, won the coveted Design Award at Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2013.

The 2014 MINI Superleggera™ Vision is the first project ever made in cooperation with MINI.

MINI Superleggera Vision Concept

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Powered by an electric drivetrain, the MINI Superleggera Vision features a hand-shaped metal bodywith clean shapes inspired by classic European roadsters.

Traditional MINI styling cues include the front end – with the circular headlights and hexagonal grille – and the hood stripes that are “embossed” in the sheet metal.

Check the photo gallery or read more details in the official press release reported below.

From the official Press Release:

Official Statements

Exterior Design

The passenger cell is slightly set back, further underscoring the car’s dynamic impression. The overall effect of the MINI Superleggera™ Vision is sporty, elegant and dynamic.

The striking element of the side view is the characteristic “Touring” line, which embodies both the art of coachwork building and classic aesthetics.

There are very few gaps in the body since it is constructed from large sheets of metal. The result is a closed look that conveys high-quality elegance.

A chrome bar demarcates the rear lights at the centre of the rear, making this area a classic British jewellery icon. The CFRP diffuser rounds off the rear to the road in sporty style.

Interior Design

The latter is created from a single aluminium sheet and has been left in the state the automobile body would look like without a paint finish.

Color and material design

(Source: MINI, Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera)