Auto Trader NZ
Published 3 September 2020
The Mini Beachcomber Concept is a four-seater with a radically open body concept that does away with doors and a conventional roof.
Mini says the Beachcomber Concept’s all-wheel drive will allow for excursions beyond the beaten track, all while enjoying open air motoring. It’s design and features hark back to the fun four-seated Mini Moke of the ‘60s, which proved popular in the US and Australia.
Single seats at the rear have backrests that fold down so sports equipment such as mountain bikes or wakeboards can be secured in the back with special fastening systems.
The weather-protectant soft roof of the Beachcomber Concept comes off the body completely and folds into a compact unit, and can be quickly secured like a tonneau cover on a boat, fastening on the windscreen frame, the rear panel and the side openings. The sides can be covered with transparent plastic inserts.
Measuring approximately four metres in length, the MINI Beachcomber Concept features reinforced A-pillars and D-pillar for rollover safety.
The wheel arches on the Mini Beachcomber Concept boast large 17-inch light-alloy wheels and offroad tyres.
Inside, the centre Speedo comes in that typical Mini design, with the usual display for navigation and audio functions, the number of air vents has been reduced to make space for additional loudspeakers, as well as special instruments for offroad motoring such as a liquid-sprung compass fitted to the left of the steering wheel and artificial horizon.
Mini says the range of colour and trim link to nature, and the surfaces and seat upholstery follow the elements of earth, air, water, and fire. “All plastic surfaces on the instrument panel come in a grain look resembling the structure of dry earth.”
