Mini Vision Next 100 concept revealed to celebrate BMW's 100th year

To this end, it receives two piece wheels, in which the outer surface remains static and a disc behind it rotates with the tyre. “The idea,” says Warming is make each wheel look like a piece of mechanical jewellery.

Holding true to the time-honoured Mini maxim of providing the most space possible with the smallest possible footprint, Mini’s design team has succeeded in providing the Vision Next 100 with a body described as being “not so far removed from the first Mini back in 1959” in terms of overall size.

At 3620mm, the Vision Next 100 is 560mm longer than the original Mini but 270mm shorter than the current Mini hatchback.

The length is significant, as it once again previews plans for a smaller Mini model positioned beneath the existing hatchback, following on from the earlier Rocketman concept.

The compact dimensions are a result of a reduced need for crash zone deformation in future models owing to the adoption of a zero emission drive system mounted at the rear without the bulky mechanical components of a conventional combustion engine sitting up front.  

Mini has not made any firm assertions on the drivetrain used by the Vision Next 100, although officials at its unveiling in London acknowledged the company is working on various electric solutions using the technical know-how of its parent company, BMW.

No stranger to the electric car ranks, Mini launched its first zero-emission model, the 200bhp Mini-E, back in 2009 as a part of a development program that preceded the establishment of BMW’s i brand and the launch of the i3.

Fitted with a 35kWh lithium ion battery, the Mini-E provided a claimed zero emission range of up to 100 miles.

Despite the emphasis on autonomous driving technology and personalisation, Mini says future models will continue to offer the characteristic driving experience offered by today’s models, describing the Vision Next 100 as “small and nimble”.

“A Mini must still be fun, to the extent that drivers will prefer to drive themselves – as often as possible,” says Warming.

As part of the emphasis on manual driving, Mini has provided its new concept car with a so-called John Cooper Works performance mode, which it says will take the handling characteristics of future models to a new level.

Inside, the Vision Next 100 previews much cleaner and far more simple interior to future Mini models than the over adorned interior used in various models today. There’s an uncluttered look to the dashboard, which relies on augmented reality to display a range of different functions on a series of high definition monitors set well back underneath the windscreen, including the information about the route and, when requested, the ideal driving line.

To enhance the feeling of width within the interior, the new concept car adopts a front bench seat and a full width footwell. According to Mini, this allows ease of access from both sides of the car and makes getting in and out in busy urban environments easier than experienced today.