Skip to main content

MINI ‘Boost’ concept looks like a Cooper roadster on steroids

Concept cars are curious creatures. They tend to point toward the future, toward the “what could be,” while at the same time trying to connect with the past and present. Or at least that is what they’re supposed to do.

That’s not so much the case with the MINI Boost concept.

Looking a lot like a cross between a puffed-out Lotus Exige and an Alfa Rome 4C, the MINI Boost concept is the brainchild of German designer Liviu Tudoran. But rather than harken back to anything that remotely looks like a Mini, Tudoran runs away with this one … far, far away.

In fact, the only thing remotely Mini-like is the good-ol Union Jack painted on the top.

Up front we see similar fingernail headlamps, reminiscent of Jaguar’s E-Type. A large radiator maw also houses two fog lamps.

To the side, blacked-out panels run up and down the door, which swallow the front haunches’ accent line. Both the front and rear haunches look extra wide, lending a more aggressive and athletic look to the Boost. And let’s not forget those scissor doors, which would be a first for Mini.

Around back, we find a staggered rear fascia with what appears to be hollowed-out tail lamps lined with LEDs, and a single, four-sided exhaust pipe.

But it’s the interior that’s really a trip. Both the steering wheel and speedometer are physically connected. The speedo sits inside a “cocoon” and is designed to turn with the steering wheel. But get this: the steering wheel is designed to rotate around a second axis. There’s the normal left to right movement we all know and love, but Tudoran has incorporated an up and down rotation as well.

According to notes written by Tudoran on the cabin pics, the added up and down movement would increase responsiveness. Whether that’s the case or not and just how it would work is not clear, I’ll just have to take his word for it.

In addition to a futuristic steering wheel and instrument cluster combo, the MINI Boost concept also sports a nifty HUD display. There’s also a neat adaptation of the large central circular display found on all modern MINIs, which I suppose adds another connection to modern MINI, albeit a very minor one.

There was no detail on might power the Boost, if it’s a hybrid or what.

Now, I’m not saying I don’t like the Boost concept; it’s got the look to get my motor running. It just looks nothing like any MINI that’s come before.

As a concept, that doesn’t fly with me. But if MINI were ever to consider producing the thing, I can’t say I’d object to a lightweight, Lotus-like roadster with big fat wheels and the sharp visuals you see here.

Editors' Recommendations

Amir Iliaifar
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Associate Automotive Section Editor for Digital Trends, Amir Iliaifar covers the ever increasing cross-section between tech…
Karma Automotive unveils two head-turning concept cars, quicker 2020 Revero GT
Karma SC1 Vision concept

Previous

Next

Read more
Alpine sale: Up to $160 off speakers and subs for your car
alpine speaker sale crutchfield march 2024 car and amp setup on table

If you’re looking to kit your car out with some superior speakers or a subwoofer, Crutchfield is the place to go today. Right now, there’s a huge sale on Alpine subwoofers and speakers with nearly 50 different items forming the sale. As there are so many options, the best idea is to hit the button below to see what’s around. If you don’t know where to start though, read on while we take you through some great items in the sale.

What to shop for in the Alpine sale
Buying the best aftermarket car speakers are important for anyone who spends a lot of time on the road and is currently dealing with a mediocre sound system. One good starting point in the Alpine sale is the 2-way speakers for $104 instead of $130. You get two 2-way speakers with a polypropylene/glass fiber/mica woofer with a specialized rubber surround. There’s a one-inch silk dome tweeter with speakers able to handle up to 80 watts RMS with 240 watts peak power. The grilles aren’t included but the factor ones should be fine for most purposes.

Read more
Mercedes to trial humanoid robots for ‘low-skill, repetitive, demanding’ jobs
Apptronik's Apollo robot at work in an auto plant.

Humanoid robots have been coming on leaps and bounds in recent years, and some major companies are starting to take note.

Mercedes-Benz, for example, has just entered into an agreement with Texas-based robotics specialist Apptronik to collaborate on identifying applications for highly advanced robots that the auto giant could deploy. The deal will involve a trial that will see Apptronik's Apollo humanoid robot work alongside Mercedes' human workers on the factory floor.

Read more