After teasing the next-gen MINI Countryman and MINI Electric, MINI has continued to tease us with some design details of its upcoming all-electric model family. The new design language, which the company calls Charismatic Simplicity, is a reduced design language that focuses on the essentials, according to the company.
Among the details of the new design language teased by the British carmaker include its new wheels, steering wheel, OLED display, and seats. Let’s first start with MINI’s new wheel design, shall we?
The wheels that will be fitted onto the upcoming all-electric MINI family are completely redesigned. This is done according to the principle of the new Charismatic Simplicity design language.
The new alloy wheel design no longer focuses on the sculptural nature of the spoke structure but on a graphic design characterised by strong colour contrasts. Combined with the outward-pointing spokes, this design creates an illusion of size. Thanks to the wheel’s pared-back, two-dimensional design, the new MINIs’ aerodynamic performance should also see an improvement.
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Now, let’s talk about the new steering wheel that will be coming with the upcoming all-electric MINI family. Just like the alloy wheels, the new steering wheel is redesigned and will appear in different design forms in different versions of its upcoming all-electric models. A two-spoke design comes as standard in the upcoming models’ standard versions, while optional versions get a fabric finish as an add-on.
Future buyers of the future MINI models will have a variety of sustainable materials, colours, and also textile designs to choose from. The carmaker has also mentioned that the Vibrant Silver colour will be here to stay.
Inside the upcoming MINI models will of course feature the iconic circular central instrument display, which has always been one of the brand’s most iconic designs. However, with future MINIs, the instrument display will be dashboard mounted and will be reinterpreted in the form of an OLED display this time around.
Based on leak images that have surfaced, it appears that the display covers the entire circular area as supposed to the rectangular display on the outgoing model. However, no images of the instrument display were officially shared.
Measuring approximately 9.45 inches, the frameless-looking OLED display combines the functions of the instrument cluster and the onboard monitor. The circular OLED display is also said to house MINI’s user interface that also controls the integrated infotainment as well as climate functions.
Seats-wise, the upcoming all-electric MINIs will come with a combination of new colours and patterns paired with classic style elements, such as the houndstooth pattern. This helps build a bridge from the past to the future, said the company. The seats will also come with new details such as laminated seat side panels, and also armrests that are integrated into the seats.
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