Mini has partnered with Austrian design studio Vagabund to create two one-off vehicles based on the Mini Countryman that are inspired by “adventure, community and festival culture”. The collaboration builds on Mini’s long-standing focus on vehicle personalization.
“A long-standing tradition and core value of the Mini brand is individual vehicle customization. Together with Vagabund, Mini continues this approach and demonstrates how a creative reinterpretation of the Mini Countryman – inspired by festival culture and music – can be brought to life through an engaged community,” said Jean‑Philippe Parain, head of Mini.
The concepts are defined by a dual aesthetic. One model, finished in Melting Silver with sand and white accents, adopts a lighter, graphic character. The second, in Midnight Black, presents a more technical, monochrome execution. Together, they emphasise contrast while maintaining a shared design identity, the auto maker said.
“For us, design does not begin with the object, but with the idea behind it – and it only ends when that idea becomes tangible,” said Paul Brauchart, co-founder and head of creative Vagabund. “The Mini x Vagabund one-offs translate a clear concept into an experiential statement. Two distinctive characters, united by Mini Countryman DNA, create a composition full of tension – making design visible as an emotional experience.”
A key feature of the two concepts is the integration of a bespoke audio system. Eveolving automotive audio beyond the interior cabin, the rear side windows have been removed and replaced with a specially developed sound system designed for outdoor projection, with community events in mind. At its core is a loudspeaker housing made from cast polymer granite, chosen for precise and uncolored sound reproduction.
Tweeters and mid-range speakers are integrated into the bodywork, while rear subwoofers deliver added impact when the tailgate is open. Each vehicle operates as an independent sound system; together, the two Mini Countryman show cars form a mobile stage for an immersive audio experience.
On the opposite side, an integrated Walkman in a 3D-printed housing adds a contrasting detail. It introduces analog nostalgia and a more personal listening experience, offsetting the external sound system and reinforcing the concept’s blend of contemporary engineering and retro reference.
Mini Design head Holger Hampf added, “Mini Design stands for vehicles with strong character that people enjoy driving and living with – true to the motto: lifestyle meets function and fun. Through our collaboration with Vagabund on these two vehicles, we were able to once again showcase our attention to detail and technical craftsmanship in a striking way.”
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