A Wild Collab Appears! – The MINI x Pokémon Concept Car
The Sabukaru Team visited Gamescom 2022 in Cologne this year, and one of the most exciting things we stumbled across during our venture was the latest motorized collaboration between MINI and Pokémon.
MINI, a brand consistently producing some of the most comfortable driving experiences since its birth in 1969 have recently made efforts to blur the lines between car and pop culture. Known for their iconic models and enjoyable, nippy motors, MINI collaborates with another worldwide respected brand; a collaboration that may come as a surprise to many but is a welcome addition to the universe of outlandish and future-facing evolutions. Showing off their newest concept car with none other than Pokémon, The MINI Concept Aceman is a fully electrical car that brings Pokémon into the tangible world and provides a drivable Nintendo console.
Speaking to Oliver Heilmer, Head of MINI Design, he explains “the Aceman Concept Car is a fully electric, urban crossover. That means short overhangs, small footprints, but big inside. It showcases an all-day usability with robust elements.” MINI is continuing to push for more responsible decision making on the impact the motor industry has on the environment, and the Aceman is another step forward in this march. Oliver tells us that “in these concept cars electrification is the future. For a city environment its perfect. It’s quiet, its quick. The typical MINI go-kart feeling can really be pushed to the next level.”
“We knew we had to go push far further ahead in terms of creativity, modernity, materials. We saw that chance with Pokémon when we understood that we are so similar in our mindsets. We both stayed young, and we wanted to showcase that in this concept car.”
Oliver Heilmer, Head of MINI Design
“One of our main goals was to bring back this playfulness and friendless to our customers” tells Oliver when asked about thje objective behind the collaboration, and this cleverly comes through in the Aceman’s many features. Having a beamer for front wall projection creating a screen on any wall means road trips with friends can get so much more fun, and with a detachable boombox as the dashboard you can blast the iconic Pokémon theme tune to your heart's content. It also features a rooftop rack where 5 friends can sit on top to battle, trade and explore the Pokémon universe whilst playing. The concept car also comes with an extra set of rims, a game mode OLED dashboard display and projection, and to top it all off comes in a life-sized toy box.
It may come as a surprise to hear that a motoring brand is joining forces with Pokémon, although Oliver tells us that the collaboration had an emotional drive as much as a strategic one.
The project has been produced with real passion,
so much so that when the design team heard of the collaboration, “they freaked out” states Oliver, mentioning how “no brief was needed. The team just knew what to do.”
“Pokémon love their customers, and so do we. That’s the connection we have with them, and that is so important. With that we were able to create something that has never been done before.”
They say you’ve ‘Gotta Catch ‘Em All’, and this new concept car is no exception. Pokémon has been a franchise to connect and unite generations for 27 years. From school playgrounds to late-night wi-fi battles, this franchise is one of, if not the most, iconic franchise in the entire history of pop culture. Adored by millions, there is finally a collaboration to help bridge the gap between this legendary phenomenon with the beloved car culture; MINI x Pokémon is a critical hit.
