by Festival Concept from MINI and Vagabund
While MINI continues to announce off-road versions of the Countryman, the brand has taken an unexpected turn by presenting a project perfectly suited for the festival season. The result of collaboration with the Austrian design studio Vagabund is a pair of unique cars that transform the compact crossover into mobile sound stages.
Design and Acoustic Solutions
The one-off models are based on the Countryman S ALL4. Both cars received extended fenders, custom bumpers, and 3D-printed wheel covers for the 20-inch wheels, styled to resemble acoustic equipment. Custom roof rails combine laser-cut aluminum plates with stainless steel mesh, also inspired by speaker design. The cars differ in color: one is finished in “Melting Silver” with beige and white accents, the other in the dark “Midnight Black” theme.
The most radical change compared to the standard Countryman is the rear section, where the side windows have been completely replaced with housings for street speakers. The housings, developed specifically for this project, are made of cast polymer granite—a dense material chosen for its acoustic neutrality and precision. They also open upwards, giving the MINI unexpected gullwing doors.
The audio equipment is built directly into the body; tweeters and mid-range speakers are integrated into the structure itself, while additional subwoofers are placed in the luggage compartment.
On the silver car, a playful element has been added on the passenger side—a Walkman cassette player with headphones, a nod to analog nostalgia in an otherwise very modern and loud concept.
Technical Features
Under the hood, the models retain the standard turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine from the Countryman S, producing 215 hp and 360 Nm of torque. Power is transmitted to all four wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch automated transmission and the ALL4 system. Another feature is the increased ground clearance thanks to a suspension lift kit.
The unique Mini x Vagabund models will be presented to the public for the first time at Auto China 2026 in Beijing and will then be used at promotional events.
For those who want to drive a similar off-roader, tuner Delta 4×4 has created a more powerful Countryman X-Raid with moderate modifications that make it more capable of tackling off-road terrain. Furthermore, the same company has shown a concept with a robust wide body, intended for series production.
Similar projects demonstrate how automakers and independent ateliers experiment with car functionality, turning them into platforms for specialized activities, even as niche as servicing music festivals. This is not just exterior tuning, but a deep reworking where acoustics become part of the body structure. Such collaborations often serve as a test for future technologies or a marketing tool to emphasize brand creativity, while remaining unique show cars that inspire car enthusiasts around the world.
