Traditionalists best avert your gaze now. The
Mk3 Mini
, the largest and arguably ugliest of all the BMW Minis, has become larger and uglier still. With even more doors. Welcome to the new Clubman.
In case you hadn't guessed
Its styling is clearly influenced by the recent
Vision Gran Turismo
car; familiar from the hatch to the windscreen and then, well, sort of a lot more Mini. The Clubman is described as "a contemporary reinterpretation of its predecessor's design, combining sporting style with outstanding functionality." It's 270mm longer than a
five-door
with 100mm of that in the wheelbase and it's 73mm wider too. Mini says the boot is 360 litres, extendable to 1,250 litres with seats folded. And of course people can now reach those rear seats with the addition of actual rear doors (!).
Inside is pretty much unchanged from the hatch, with the usual raft of personalisation and infotainment upgrades available. New on the options list are electrically adjustable seats and 'Yours Interior Styles', which highlights the door trim with illuminated decorative strips... Sat-nav is standard on every model and of course upgradeable.
Reckon this is Pure Burgundy?
From launch there are three Clubmans available: the range starts at £19,995 for the 136hp Cooper, with a £22,265 Cooper D and £22,755 Cooper S also available. With a £2,785 Chili Pack expected to be added into the majority of cars, along with the auto 'box option (six-speed in the Cooper, eight-speed in the others) and various others, it will surely become very easy to spec a near-£30K Clubman. Lordy.
Cars are available to order now, with first deliveries expected in the autumn. When's the van coming Mini?