Mini Beachcomber Concept

Mini Beachcomber Concept

MINI Beachcomber Concept crosses borders, enters new dimensions of driving pleasure, and wins over additional target groups by expanding the model range and the creativity of MINI design. MINI demonstrates its potential for additional product lineup growth and further enhanced driving pleasure with the MINI Beachcomber Concept.

The MINI Beachcomber Concept is a four-seater concept car designed for maximum driving pleasure, incorporating key features of the new MINI and combining them with the vision of a radically open body concept.

The MINI Beachcomber Concept combines all-wheel drive, cutting-edge suspension technology, and an elevated seating position. Generous spring travel and extra-large light-alloy wheels raise the entire car to a higher level. Access to the front and rear seats is convenient thanks to the open doorways. The entry cutouts extend all the way down to the seat bottoms, allowing the driver and all passengers to get in and out in one smooth and flowing process.

The driver and passengers will enjoy everyday motoring conditions - simply because the MINI Beachcomber Concept retains its unmistakable character in all conditions. In the event of bad weather, drivers can either use the soft roof or the lightweight door and roof elements, all of which fit easily and can be installed within a few minutes.

MINI enters new terrain - with a fourth model and a complete range of innovative ideas for future.

Based on the MINI crossover vehicle that will be launched later this year in markets outside of North America, the MINI Beachcomber Concept is a symbol of the brand values packaged in a new, radical style.


MINI designers were inspired by the new MINI crossover production model, which they enhanced beyond the realms of urban mobility to create the MINI Beachcomber Concept. In creating this concept, they utilized the technical qualities of the production crossover model, and made adaptations to offer the ultimate expression of freedom. The result is a new open concept driving experience for all your senses, plus a greater degree of versatility than ever experienced before in a MINI.

The potential uses for the MINI Beachcomber Concept are defined by the imagination of its driver. Clearly, the most natural surroundings for this vehicle are beaches, where the MINI Beachcomber Concept, through its enhanced traction and radically open design, offers the freedom of movement expressed through its very name.

The Unique, typical of MINI, and with a great role model from way back when.

The MINI Beachcomber Concept is the vision of a car that leaves behind conventional standards and creates momentum for innovative mobility of the future.

Individual character, a clear focus on maximum driving pleasure, and the courage to create new concepts have always set the foundation for new models in the MINI range; and the traits of this open-air, all-wheel-drive concept clearly define it from the beginning as a MINI.

The authentic style and character of the MINI Beachcomber Concept is rooted in the brand's history. MINI once offered an extreme, thrill-of-driving experience in the open air by conscious reduction to the very minimum: In 1964, just five years after the market launch of the classic Mini, Alec Issigonis, the world-famous engineer and creator of the first model, developed an all-open version of this revolutionary compact car.

The body of the Mini Moke, as it was called, was made up of little more than a floorpan, wide sills at the side, an engine compartment lid and a windshield. A folding roof served to protect the driver and passengers from precipitation.

The MINI Beachcomber Concept now takes the basic principles of the Mini Moke into the 21st century. The rustic appearance of the car, and its concept of consciously reducing the body components and interior to a minimum clearly follow the tradition of the radically open Mini Moke of the 1960s. This is further accentuated by design cues that are strongly inspired by the original Mini Moke, and is enhanced by various striking details such as the characteristic radiator grille.

The new MINI Beachcomber meets modern demands in terms of space and comfort, as well as efficiency and safety, while retaining its clear focus on driving pleasure and enjoying the surroundings without barriers.

Even ALL4 all-wheel drive can be seen in a role model from the past. A prototype Mini Moke developed by Alec Issigonis in 1963 had two engines and an early ALL4 system. On this test car, appropriately referred to as the "Twini," the front and rear wheels were each driven by a four-cylinder from the Mini range of engines.

Versatile, modern, and safe at all times.

Modern from A-Z, the MINI Beachcomber Concept offers a wide range of technology and features for driving pleasure in the 21st century. The premium manufacturer touches in the areas of design, drivetrain, safety and production technology bring together the undiluted character of a concept car with a wide range of possibilities in the real world.


The concept of intelligent lightweight technology serves to lower the car's center of gravity, offering superior agility at all times. The lateral support element further enhances the vehicle's agility and also gives the vehicle its unique appearance. This lateral support boasts recesses shaped to form the "MINI" model designation and is clearly visible from outside.

Extreme variability for all kinds of activities, weather and road conditions.

When open, the MINI Beachcomber Concept is also able to carry extra-long objects, such as surfboards, with ease. Fastened firmly to the lateral support, surfboards fit conveniently into the car, sticking out at the top on the way to the beach.

Flexible protection from wind and weather: soft roof or hardtop inserts.
The MINI Beachcomber Concept is built for the sunny side of life and is simply perfect for spontaneous action. Through its optimum flexibility, the car is able to meet many different requirements, naturally coping with any sudden change in outdoor conditions.

This gives the MINI Beachcomber Concept all the qualities required for everyday motoring, with several options that cater to changing demands and weather conditions.

The soft roof offers convenient and effective protection from rain and weather, and comes off the body completely and folds up into a compact unit. Whenever required, the roof may be drawn over the car within a few minutes, like a tonneau cover on a boat, fastening conveniently on the windshield frame, the rear panel and the side openings.

Made of an extremely light, yet very robust fiber, the roof comes with transparent plastic inserts serving as side and rear windows.

In its functional qualities, the roof follows the same standard as the most sophisticated and demanding outdoor wear, combining maximum protection from wind and rain with minimum weight.

The attachment points holding the soft roof in position are equally strong, stable and user-friendly. When the roof is in place, the four entry points and the rear door continue to open and close easily while keeping out draughts and water.

The removable door elements maintain their defined position through their firm connection to the opening points and the A- and D-pillars. They are transparent at the top to provide good visibility to the outside. The rear element is held firmly in position through its contact to the left door element, the rear body panel at the right, and the loading sill.

The removable hardtop is connected to the windscreen frame at the front and rests in special mounts on the rollover crossbar. Precisely arranged connections joining the hardtop with the side and rear elements keep the entire structure extremely strong and stable, with the appropriate connection being unfastened in each case when opening a door.

Typical MINI design, re-interpreted and concentrating on the essential.

Short overhangs front and rear as well as the wide wheel stance on the MINI Beachcomber Concept bear the overall look of the brand. Here again, the new model comes with characteristic MINI design features at the front, side and rear that are re-interpreted on the new model. The extra-wide body frame encompasses the wheel arches and extends down to the road, emphasizing the robust flair and character of this all-wheel-drive concept study. And thanks to greater ground clearance, the advantage of short front and rear overhangs can be seen even more on rough terrain, allowing a particularly large ramp angle for even the toughest requirements.

The entire front section of the car is angled towards the road. The engine compartment lid is powerfully chiseled, and the powerdome, with its integrated air insert, symbolizes the outstanding performance of the turbocharged engine within the car.

The hexagon radiator grille, again typical of MINI, comes with contour lines carried over directly from the front look of the Mini Moke. With its vertical position, three robust crossbars and additional integrated headlights, the radiator grille gives the MINI Beachcomber Concept a particularly powerful and convincing presence.

Side view: new combination of robust strength and lightweight look.

Extending far into the side of the car, the headlights additionally emphasize the short front overhang. The powerfully designed wheel arches on the MINI Beachcomber Concept boast large 17-inch light-alloy wheels and off-road tires with a rough tread.

The surrounds on the turn signal indicators come for the first time in a diagonal shape in the extended A-pillar. They create a wide band in distinctive color precisely at the same point as on the classic Mini, now forming a visual connection between the windshield frame and the front wheels. This graphic element again underlines the solid nature of the MINI Beachcomber Concept, with its A-pillars appearing to rest powerfully on the front axle. At the rear, the rollbar forms an equally direct line extending towards the rear axle of the car.

Massive side-sills along the front and rear entry points interact with the dark body frame to add a further touch of robustness, while the unobstructed view offered into the interior emphasizes the lightness and agility of this concept car. Stylized push button elements around the entry point, like on the Mini Moke, indicate the option to fit a simple and straightforward cover for bad weather. The actual fastening and adjustment points for the soft roof, on the other hand, are not even visible from outside.

The graphic look of the rear end is formed by the asymmetric design of the luggage compartment, the door element on the left and the storage case fitted on the outside, which symbolizes the superior versatility of the car. Meanwhile, the open section on the left emphasizes the lightness and spontaneous functionality of the entire concept.

With the roof closed, this convincing look of power and muscle is further accentuated by the growing width of the car in steps from top to bottom. The number plate surround takes up the design and contours of the front air intake, while the rear air dam is rounded off at the bottom and comes with a robust underfloor protection element.

The interior: sophisticated, versatile, robust, and full of character.

The interior design of the MINI Beachcomber Concept focuses on maximum driving pleasure in the great outdoors. Extra features added to the car, as well as appropriate and conscious reduction to the minimum versus the existing models in the MINI range, serve to focus on the essential. The Center Speedo is in the typical MINI design, comprising the usual display for navigation and audio functions.

With the MINI Beachcomber Concept being intended primarily for driving in the open air, the number of air vents has been reduced in the interest of additional loudspeakers on the HiFi system as well as special instruments for off-road motoring. These additional instruments are spherical in shape, reminiscent of the displays in the cockpit of an aircraft.

A liquid-sprung compass fitted to the left of the steering wheel tells the driver whether he is going the right way and moving in the right direction. Another special instrument to the right of the steering wheel presents an artificial horizon, showing the angle of the car around its longitudinal and transverse axis.
Contoured seats and an additional handle on the front passenger side optimize driving pleasure on rough terrain. Open-pore footmats allow a good view of the floorpan, and characterize the robust ambience of the car. The stitching seams on the seats are matched specifically to this concept car.

The range of color and trim within the MINI Beachcomber Concept again reveals the car's close link to nature. The surfaces and seat upholstery, in their design, follow the elements of earth, air, water, and fire. All plastic surfaces on the instrument panel come in a newly developed grain look, resembling the structure of dry earth.

The trim surfaces in the cockpit are finished in magnetic paint, which has been used for the first time to create a special touch of flowing liquidity. And last but not least, the individually designed seats again oriented in their colors to the four elements serve as a symbol highlighting the versatility of the MINI Beachcomber Concept.

The Center Rail with new features: everything the sportsman needs at your disposal at all times.

The MINI Center Rail comes complete with an integrated cable duct allowing the user to connect a mobile phone or MP3 player in any position to the car's entertainment system by means of a holder fastened to the rail. Another option is to connect additional sources of light, a cooling box, a laptop or a GPS tracker safely and securely to the Center Rail, each with their own power supply.

The range of holders has been further extended especially for the MINI Beachcomber Concept, now including a stopwatch specially made for the new model, a bottle holder, a compact meal box as well as a case for cycling and swimming glasses, clearly reflecting the sporting character of this concept car and simply ideal for the triathlete.

The MINI Beachcomber Concept: variable and always open for maximum driving pleasure.

The MINI Beachcomber Concept offers driving pleasure in its purest form, concentrating on the essential elements required for genuine joy of individual mobility.