The Mini Vision concept just about maintains the familiar brand look but departs even further from the cute and minimalist approach of the original car, in favour of a sleeker, more swept-back look and a noticeably more bulbous rear end.

Interesting details like daytime running lights in the elliptical headlight surrounds, auxiliary lights integrated into the bumper and mock Union Jack designs on the interior door panels are clear attempts by Mini to hang on to its heritage.

Aerodynamics are set to play a bigger part than ever in the car’s development, with the Vision displaying ideas new to the Mini like air-flow improving vents in front of the front wheels, aerodynamic wheels, newly-shaped door mirror housings and a roof spoiler, which helps to reduce drag at the rear end.

While the exterior is a very close indication of the next-gen Mini’s styling, the Vision’s interior is almost entirely conceptual. A deeply-dished steering wheel would be very impractical for housing an airbag, for example, while the circular central digital display looks more like a radar screen than an infotainment interface.

The Union Jack design slats are actually stretchable and designed to securely hold magazines, drinks bottles and other oddments of daily life.

More news comes with an unfamiliar paint job called Glamorous Gold, described as a “shimmering gold-tinged orange tone,” and a tough new type of upholstery, said to recall “the properties of a high-quality suit.”