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Mini Clubman expands the range
08/08/07 14:06 Filed in: Motoring
The Mini range will be extended this
autumn with the launch of the new Mini Clubman. This is the third variation on the
new Mini theme, building on the hatchback and the cabriolet.
The Clubman is to the new Mini what the Traveller was to the original. But the marketing people at Mini have clearly decided that the Clubman name (which was the name applied to the longer-nosed version of the original Mini) is more suitable. Like the Morris Mini Traveller it is, in essence, a slightly-extended estate car version.
Like the Traveller it features twin rear doors, rather than a hatch. Unlike the original it has an extra passenger door. Designed to make getting into the rear seats easier, it is a small rear-hinged door rather like the Mazda RX-8. Unlike the Mazda there is only one and, unfortunately, it is on the right-hand-side only.
That may be great for markets that drive on the right, allowing passengers to hop out on the pavement. But, in Britain and other markets who drive on the left, it is not so clever. Mini say that the cost of shifting the fuel filler precluded fitting a matching rear door on the left side of the car.
The Mini Clubman is 24cm longer than the hatchback. This has allowed an increase of 8cm for rear legroom, providing more passenger room and Mini say that the Clubman is a genuine five seater. Luggage space has also been increased by more than 60% with the rear seats up, with the usual option of folding the seats for maximum load space.
The Mini Clubman will go on sale from November 10. At launch time there will be three versions, all badged as Coopers - the Cooper, Cooper D (diesel) and Cooper S. Prices will start at £14,235 for the Cooper.
The Clubman is to the new Mini what the Traveller was to the original. But the marketing people at Mini have clearly decided that the Clubman name (which was the name applied to the longer-nosed version of the original Mini) is more suitable. Like the Morris Mini Traveller it is, in essence, a slightly-extended estate car version.
Like the Traveller it features twin rear doors, rather than a hatch. Unlike the original it has an extra passenger door. Designed to make getting into the rear seats easier, it is a small rear-hinged door rather like the Mazda RX-8. Unlike the Mazda there is only one and, unfortunately, it is on the right-hand-side only.
That may be great for markets that drive on the right, allowing passengers to hop out on the pavement. But, in Britain and other markets who drive on the left, it is not so clever. Mini say that the cost of shifting the fuel filler precluded fitting a matching rear door on the left side of the car.
The Mini Clubman is 24cm longer than the hatchback. This has allowed an increase of 8cm for rear legroom, providing more passenger room and Mini say that the Clubman is a genuine five seater. Luggage space has also been increased by more than 60% with the rear seats up, with the usual option of folding the seats for maximum load space.
The Mini Clubman will go on sale from November 10. At launch time there will be three versions, all badged as Coopers - the Cooper, Cooper D (diesel) and Cooper S. Prices will start at £14,235 for the Cooper.
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