We already know that MINI->ke57 is a staunch supporter of the 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic Games. But true to their quirky and aggressive nature, the German automaker took to a different level to show it's support for the Olympics.

If special edition MINI Coopers and videos aren't enough, MINI has decided to release a special edition model of the Rocketman Concept. Nevermind unconfirmed reports that the Rocketman Concept has been canned; MINI still sees some strong branding mileage in decking their concept model with an extensive exterior and interior make-over.

The concept vehicle is not a production model, which is a real bummer. But with all the enhancements it has received, we sure wouldn't have any problems see it in dealerships in the future.

The 2012 London Olympics is a little over a month away, and MINI picked the perfect time to release this special edition concept. Too bad it's going to remain strictly that.

Find out more about the MINI Rocketman Olympic Concept after the jump.

2012 MINI Rocketman Olympic Concept

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2012 MINI Rocketman Olympic Concept
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

The "mini" MINI Rocketman Olympic Concept - remember, it's 304mm shorter than a standard MINI - has been dressed in the colors of the Union Jack, a three-tone combination of red, white, and dark blue. Exposed carbon components at the front end and around the doors also add a touch of class to the concept, as do the set of 18" light-alloy wheels with white polished areas and a metallic red accent. A matte Porcelain White paintwork was used in the mirror caps, boot opener, and surrounds for the radiator grille and headlights. Then there's the "eye magnet" grille structure, which is made up of MINI logos and has been finished in a red metallic to contrast the surrounding white finish.

Finally, the Rocketman Olympic Concept has a pretty cool roof, if we do say so ourselves. Not content with all the things they did on the car's surface, MINI decided to add a distinctive lighting design for the roof. Since the concept has a full-surface glass roof, the German automaker added illuminated braces to recreate the look of Britain's Union Jack flag. Even when the roof is not illuminated, the braces - running horizontally, lengthways and diagonally - continue to shine in bright Porcelain White. When the lights are out, the integrated optical fibers take center stage, providing a pleasant indirect illumination of the interior and a compelling night design visible from the outside.

Pretty cool, right?

Interior

Inside, the Rocketman Olympic Concept also gets its share of enhancements, highlighted by the blue paintwork used for the dashboard. The dashboard's cockpit surface is bordered by a red bar and has a striking 3D effect while its relief structure contains the names of every host city of the summer Olympic Games in the modern era, with London given a prominent billing.

Meanwhile, the seats have been dressed in Blue Nubuck leather with an innovative textile fiber. The seat belts also share the dark blue tone of the seat surfaces, while thin red and white strips add extra flourishes.

Since the car is paying tribute to the most important sporting spectacle in the world, it would have been a crime to not give the car's interior a "sporting ambience." In addition to everything that was mentioned, the Rocketman Olympic Concept's interior also received intricate details that emphasize its connection to London. The inner door panels and rear side sections are trimmed in dark blue nubuck leather, while the familiar MINI elliptical door rings provide an effective contrast with their white leather. The circular surrounds for features such as the air vents, door pulls, and stereo speakers, are split into two sections and consist of a red inner ring and white outer ring.

Will We See It In Production?

The Rocketman Olympic Concept appears to be a one-off model that's been built exclusively for promotional purposes. The standard concept is nowhere near production, so don't expect this one to get the green light anytime soon either.