Under the BMW Group’s tutelage, the MINI brand has grown into something that only loosely resembles its truly pint-sized past. That’s not entirely a bad thing, however, as some of the newest MINIs are also some of the best. But the MINI Superleggera Vision concept is the most un-MINI MINI we’ve ever seen—and it might just be our favorite.

ALSO SEE: 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat: Live Photos And Video

Built by MINI and Touring Superleggera as a concept for the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2014, the MINI Superleggera Vision is a low-slung, vaguely MINI-themed two-seat roadster that MINI says blends “Modern Britishness” with “Italian flair.”

The bodywork is done in classic Italian style, hand-shaped and built to please the eye as much or more than any aerodynamicist. The driving theme behind the look is one of minimalism, stripping down the exterior and interior to its most elemental components, then building them back up with purposefully chosen style.

MINI Superleggera Vision concept

MINI Superleggera Vision concept

The cockpit is wrapped in leather, aluminum, and black chrome, with iconic MINI styling themes playing out across the dash and controls.

DON'T MISS: Lewis Hamilton In His F1 Car Takes On Ken Block In A Fiesta ST Rallycross: Video

This passionate approach to design in a package that bucks all of MINI’s classically two-block forms makes us wish the Superleggera Vision weren’t a concept, but a production-destined look at the future of sporty MINIs.

But then again, it might just be. Look out, 2016 Mazda MX-5.

_______________________________________

Follow Motor Authority on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.