Mini Unveils Superleggera Vision Concept

VILLA D’ESTE, Italy – Mini is looking at the next big opportunity to expand its product range and customer base, while furthering its reputation for building fun cars, as it unveils the Superleggera Vision concept at the Concorso d’Eleganza at Villa d’Este 2014 here.

Last year, Mini parent BMW merged its creative forces with those of Italian design studio Pininfarina to grab the limelight at the Concorso d’Eleganza with the BMW Gran Lusso Coupe. This time it’s the Mini design team, working with Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera, that gets to steal the show with its interpretation of an open-top 2-seater.

The Superleggera Vision carries the formula of a classic roadster: Compact and agile, British in its minimalist approach and emotional in its design. But it also reflects the spirit of its time, featuring an innovative electric drivetrain that gives the car distinctly modern driving dynamics.

The interior reflects traditional coachwork construction in terms of materials – aluminum, leather and black-metal trim – and styling, combined with iconic features of the Mini brand.

“Touring Superleggera and Mini have much in common; both companies attach great importance to their history and this is something which defines their outward appearance to this day,” says BMW design head Adrian van Hooydonk. “What is more, they both emphasize iconic design and distinctive solutions.

“These elements are merged in the MINI Superleggera Vision to create an elegant automobile which interprets a British roadster under the influence of Italian style and handcraftsmanship.”