The Mini Rocketman (we’ll spare you the Elton John lyrics) was one of our favorite concepts from the 2011 Geneva Motor Show. Sure, the name is silly, but this pint-sized concept showed what could be in store for an even more mini Mini. A smarter Smart, if you will. However, a new report from CAR states that the entry-level Mini project has allegedly been canned. The Rocketman as we know it has been grounded.

The reason? CAR reports that it would be a costly endeavor to develop the Rocketman to meet street-legal specifications; specifically, handling, stability and crash standards. The concept only measures in at 134.6 inches long – a full 12 inches shorter than a standard Cooper hatchback, and while Mini insiders said that a production version could come as early as 2016, there are now no plans to offer a vehicle smaller than the current Cooper.

Mini Rocketman reportedly canned originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 23 Jan 2012 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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This year’s Geneva Motor Show was as packed as ever with new concept cars that point the way forward for the world’s automakers. And with their debuts now behind us, reports are pouring in on their prospects for production.

First came word that the Alfa Romeo 4C Concept is destined for U.S. showrooms, then reports surfaced of Jaguar passing on Bertone‘s design pitch. Now sources from across the pond are indicating that Mini plans to go ahead with production of its Rocketman concept.

The subcompact show car aimed to pacify purists who bemoan the enlargement of the modern Mini range, and the new model could bridge the gap between the original Mini and the contemporary iteration.

According to Autocar, Mini plans on producing the Rocketman based on the BMW Group’s new front-drive platform and i-initiative technologies. Rather than replace the existing three-door hatchback, however, the production Rocketman would slot in below it (at least in terms of size) in the company’s rapidly expanding range.

Live photos copyright (C)2011 Drew Phillips / AOL

[Source: Autocar]

Rumormill: Mini Rocketman headed for production originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 08 Mar 2011 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mini‘s new space-age Rocketman Concept previews what the future of urban mobility could look like for the BMW sub-brand. It’s slightly smaller than the current Cooper, and we’re big fans of the dual-hinged doors that pivot outwards, complete with the sills. In fact, the whole concept strikes us as totally cool, and is further proof that Mini’s cheekiness can be further evolved to new types of vehicles.

The Rocketman’s interior uses a space-efficient three-plus-one seating arrangement, and we’re told that the car is powered by a highly efficient powertrain capable of returning 78 miles per gallon on the U.S. cycle. Mini’s new Connected infotainment system is displayed via three-dimensional graphics on the interactive speedometer screen, and there’s even a steering wheel-mounted joystick to operate the whole slew of functions.

There’s a whole host of clever features found within the Rocketman, but above all, the concept’s design is what really stands out. See for yourself in the high-res image galleries below.

Live photos copyright (C)2011 Drew Phillips / AOL

Geneva 2011: Mini Rocketman Concept misses the Earth so much, misses its wife originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Mar 2011 04:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mini‘s latest production car – the Countryman – may be the automaker’s largest offering to date, but now the brand known for its pint-sized fighters is returning to its roots with its latest concept. But this isn’t a preview of the next-generation Cooper – oh no, no, no – it’s the Rocketman (cue Elton John). At just over 11 feet long, the bug-eyed little hatch is slightly shorter than a base Cooper hardtop and uses a unique three-plus-one interior seating arrangement. It isn’t gonna be a long, long time before we see the Rocketman in person, either – the concept makes its official debut at the Geneva Motor Show next week.

In creating the Rocketman, Mini’s main focus was to keep its petite body as light as possible. A carbon spaceframe makes up the main construction, and things like weight-saving wheels with an enclosed surface structure reduce drag to improve fuel economy. Speaking of economy, Mini says that the Rocketman is powered by “a drive system which combines further enhanced sprinting ability with average fuel consumption of just three liters per 100 kilometers (94 miles per gallon Imperial)” – about 78 mpg on the U.S. cycle. We don’t have details about what exactly powers the Mini concept, but we’d bet our bottom dollar that there’s some electrification involved.

The doors themselves are another bit of notable engineering. Upon opening, the doors pivot outwards complete with their sills, making ingress and egress to both the front and rear seats a breeze. From there, passengers are greeted with a three-plus-one seating concept, meaning that instead of a connectional bench seat in the rear, there is an individual chair behind the passenger seat. Behind the driver is a smaller seat where the backrest can be folded down to act as a storage surface. The interior is full of nifty, concept-spec LED lighting, and the latest in infotainment, including the auotmaker’s Mini Connected system with three-dimensional graphics and a steering wheel-mounted joystick for easy operation.

Mini’s Rocketman concept previews the future of small, urban mobility from the brand. This mini-Mini looks capable of retaining the automaker’s core values of driver involvement with seemingly endless personalization, and we encourage you to see all of its ins and outs for yourself in our high-res gallery below. Mini’s official press blast is available after the jump, as well.

[Source: Mini]

Continue reading Mini Rocketman Concept takes off ahead of Geneva debut

Mini Rocketman Concept takes off ahead of Geneva debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Feb 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Mini Rocketman Concept is set to make its debut at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, and we’re eager to get a look at this funky thing the flesh. Until that happens, we’ll have to be content with the slew of views Mini has provided.

Ready for your viewing pleasure after the jump are videos of b-roll footage, exterior and interior walkarounds and a clip showing the action of the cool dual-hinged doors. Additionally, Anders Warming, head of Mini design, stepped in to provide some insight into the development of the Rocketman concept. If you’re hungry for Rocketman information, this plethora of video footage will indeed satiate you.

[Source: Mini]

Continue reading Videos: Mini Rocketman Concept detailed from every angle

Videos: Mini Rocketman Concept detailed from every angle originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 25 Feb 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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