Mini is going back to its roots — with a new smaller version that harks back to the classic car of the late 1950s.

The three-door Mini Rocketman concept, which will be shown at Geneva next week, is around 11ft long — just a few inches longer than the original car of 1959.

It seats three plus a child — but its state-of-the-art technology points to the future of automotive design.

Mini says the Rocketman is a response to increasing congestion in major cities and has been designed to make the best use of space possible, while retaining the brand’s traditional smile-inducing handling agility.

Mini’s design team has come up with a lightweight car that takes up impressively little space on the road but boasts a surprisingly spacious interior. The car’s construction features a rigid carbon spaceframe which is so light that the projected fuel consumption is 94mpg.

The wide-opening doors have double hinge joints and pivot outwards to make it easier to get in and out of the car. When the doors are shut the carbon hinges stand out, this emulating the look of the classic Mini, whose exterior-mounted door hinges became an identifying characteristic.

At the back there’s a two-part tailgate, the lower part of which extends out of the car like a drawer.

The roof features illuminated braces which create a Union Jack effect at night.

The concept’s squared-off design, big headlights and large wheels pushed out into the corners mark it out as a Mini.

The study’s 18-inch wheels are designed to leave no doubt that even tiny cars can possess sure-footed road-holding and sporty handling properties. Similarly, the windows taper towards the back, creating a dynamic wedge shape which hints at the sporty character and agile handling of the vehicle.

Inside, the cabin features leather trim and high-gloss painted surfaces with trim strips that are dramatically back-lit by LED powered fibre optics. The steering wheel has a computer-style trackball so that all the control elements are within easy reach of the driver’s hands.