In a press release detailing sustainability initiatives, Mini stated that it is developing an electric production vehicle that could draw inspiration from the Vision Urbanaut concept first showcased in 2020.
The press release mentioned that Mini is “working on the development of a new vehicle concept for the premium compact segment” that will address customer desires for more space while noting that “a series of creative solutions in this area were presented with the Mini Vision Urbanaut.”
The Urbanaut was originally revealed in November 2020 as a virtual concept and later reappeared in physical form earlier this year. The concept featured a foldable windshield and an interior that can function as a living space, similar to the classic VW Microbus that serves as inspiration for the VW ID Buzz electric van, set to be unveiled next year.
Mini also emphasized sustainable materials, giving the Urbanaut concept a leather- and chrome-free interior. Instead, materials such as cork and knit fabrics were used. This approach seems to align well with the BMW Group’s aspirations to reduce the environmental impact of vehicle production, as demonstrated by the i Vision Circular concept presented at the Munich Auto Show in September.
It is unclear when a production version of the Urbanaut would appear, but BMW has stated its intention to make the Mini brand fully electric by the early 2030s. Meanwhile, VW has just teased the prototype of its electric Microbus, scheduled for initial deliveries in 2023 for the United States and late 2022 for Europe.
Otherwise, the closest rival to a compact electric van from Mini might be the lifestyle vehicle from Canoo, which is set to roll out in 2022. There have also been some potentially exciting designs in this segment, such as the eBussy from German electric brands. However, so far, the highly anticipated electric VW Microbus seems to be formulated to offer the most appeal.
