Skip to main content

MINI’s Superleggera Vision concept looks like a budget Aston Martin designed by Volvo

MINI is a British brand owned by the Germans at BMW. Despite this ancestral dichotomy, MINI’s latest concept has an Italian word sandwiched in it: MINI Superleggera Vision. This has good reason, though, as the compact coupe was designed together by MINI and Milan-based coachbuilder Touring Superleggera.

Superleggera, if you weren’t aware, is Italian for “super light”. Although MINI doesn’t give any weight specs for the design concept, based upon its diminutive stature and EV powertrain, I’d wager it is.

In the words of Adrian van Hooydonk, Senior Vice President BMW Group Design (and likely inventor of the Borkulator), the MINI Superleggera Vision is “an elegant automobile which interprets a British roadster under the influence of Italian style and hand craftsmanship.”

To me, it looks like a budget Aston Martin designed by Volvo.

Will MINI ever build such a car? Yes with an “and”, no with a “but”. This car could – minus the EV powertrain – hint at the next-gen MINI Roadster. Though, given the current-gen Roadster’s poor sales performance, that’s unlikely.

Recent industry rumors suggest that BMW could be planning a Z2 Roadster based upon the new MINI Cooper Hardtop platform, though. This Superleggera could be a glimpse into that car. We’ll have to wait and see.

What do you think of the MINI Superleggera Vision? Tell us in the comments below.

Editors' Recommendations

Nick Jaynes
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Nick Jaynes is the Automotive Editor for Digital Trends. He developed a passion for writing about cars working his way…
Cybertruck production reportedly halted over pedal issue
Tesla CEO Elon Musk behind the wheel of a Cybertruck.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk behind the wheel of a Cybertruck. Tesla

Tesla’s Cybertruck has been hit by a production delay caused by an issue with a part of the vehicle, a number of media reports have claimed.

Read more
Don’t let the gimmicks fool you. The Ioniq 5 N is a serious track car
2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N drifting.

We’re finally getting to the fun part of automakers’ methodical quest to replicate their lineups with electric cars.

Performance versions of ordinary cars have been a staple of the auto industry for decades. But while we’ve already seen some variants of EVs boasting more power and more impressive stats — think Tesla Model S Plaid or Lucid Air Sapphire — the 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N is the first to truly apply that format to an EV.

Read more
The Maserati GranCabrio Folgore is one of the best-looking EVs yet
Front of the Maserati GranCabrio Folgore

Maserati is adopting electrified vehicles with open arms, and while that could potentially signal an identity crisis for the luxury Italian brand, that’s probably a good thing in the long run.

The company recently took the wraps off of the new Maserati GranCabrio Folgore, which is essentially a convertible version of its already released GranTurismo Folgore electric car. The new EV is its third go at electrified vehicles so far, and it flew us out to Rimini, Italy, to witness the big reveal in person.

Read more