MINI at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show

MINI, after several yes-and-no decisions, has decided to be present at Geneva, and with none other than one of the most special and anticipated vehicles of the moment: the MINI Rocketman Concept, a vehicle we have discussed on countless occasions and which, without a doubt, gains much more in person than in the photos released by the company.

For example, one of the things that draws the most attention, apart from the British flag LED light fitted to the roof of the vehicle, something undoubtedly very eye-catching but not very functional, or an interior that is extremely striking and illuminated, are the pseudo-caps made of carbon, something as eye-catching as it is impractical in everyday use.

On the other hand, you will surely have been left open-mouthed by the solution the designers adopted for the vehicle’s headlights. The front ones are truly striking, but those rear lights in the shape of a “handle” are without doubt the best thing about the car, genuinely eye-catching and something every MINI should come with as standard, although, as is logical, these are elements that will disappear once the vehicle enters production, giving way to much more traditional lights.

On the other hand, MINI has on display practically the entire new SD range, that is, the range as such but now available with a two-litre turbocharged engine capable of delivering the handy figure of 143 hp at 4,000 rpm and 305 Nm of maximum torque available between 1,750 and 2,700 rpm.

As you may already suspect, this engine has been created, just like the new-generation 1.6 THP, by the PSA-BMW alliance, so it shares elements such as the variable-geometry turbo managed by the engine control unit or direct injection via solenoid valves with other PSA diesel units.

In addition, to reduce consumption, systems such as Start&Stop, an optimal gear-shift indicator, a diesel particulate filter, energy recovery during deceleration, and electromechanical power steering have been introduced.

Source: Equipo Highmotor