RE: Mini Reveals Clubvan concept

[Skater12]

Justayellowbadge said:

Six Fiend said:

Looks like a false floor given this pic from Autocar. Could be a useful idea although where to put it when you need the extra space is another question :

That's the same as a clubman - it's a lift up panel with more storage underneath.

Self employed businesses, plus "hidden storage area", I can see where this is going.

[Justayellowbadge]

Six Fiend said:

Justayellowbadge said:

That's the same as a clubman - it's a lift up panel with more storage underneath.

Ah, I see, thanks So Autocar talking of the lowered floor for this model as if it's a new thing could be talking cobblers once again. No real shock there then!

Actually, looking closely, it probably is lowered into the well below the false floor, by an inch or so, compared to the Clubman.

This is one with the panel removed:

Edited by Justayellowbadge on Monday 20th February 12:38

[J4CKO]

That is useless for a van, it is miniscule, it does look pretty funky and it will be the preserve of high end London Sandwich shops and the like, cant see jobbing handymen going for it, kind of a van for people who think they are workign but are actually just poncing about.

[stolenink]

paulmon said:

Of all the Mini spin offs I think this one actually works.

This is the only Mimi I'd consider spending money on, defo...

[Yorkshirepud]

Lots of storage space I see...is that whole box with space for maybe another box? How high is the floor of that boot!

[Garlick]

J4CKO said:

That is useless for a van, it is miniscule, it does look pretty funky and it will be the preserve of high end London Sandwich shops and the like, cant see jobbing handymen going for it, kind of a van for people who think they are workign but are actually just poncing about.

I hear you, but I don't think it's aimed at the building trade, more small business who don't really do dirty work. For that purpose it's ideal, no? Great for the customer to see them arrive in a nicely sign written Mini Van as they deliver your wedding cake, bunch of flowers, new fitted blinds etc.

[kambites]

Garlick said:

I hear you, but I don't think it's aimed at the building trade, more small business who don't really do dirty work. For that purpose it's ideal, no? Great for the customer to see them arrive in a nicely sign written Mini Van as they deliver your... new fitted blinds etc.

Only if you've got small windows.

[Justayellowbadge]

If it was intended to do any actual work it wouldn't be trimmed in the load area.

Bare metal and slats or tough rubber matting on the base spec please, BMW.

[epom]

I like it and I think it will work very well. There has always been a decent market for car/vans and anything out of the ordinary or sporty looking always seems to be popular.

[Eighteeteewhy]

I'm sure I remember before the new MINI came out a concept for a MINI Pickup, now I think that would be cool.

[Garlick]

kambites said:

Only if you've got small windows.

Well, yes but let's not let fact ruin a debate! Replace blinds with, erm.....small print order.

[CJE]

I've hated pretty much every MINI incarnation since they moved away from the supercharged Cooper S but this ClubVan I love!

I guess because it seems to move what was an essentially useless but well handling marketing exercise on 4 wheels into a realm of quirky practicality whereby I could throw my MTB in the back and have a genuinely good drive on the way to the hills

[suffolk009]

God, I'm bored. I just googled Hugh Buckingham Signwriter. Looks like he's an Abe Froman.

[Dave Hedgehog]

i like it but i like mini's in general

[Garlick]

Justayellowbadge said:

If it was intended to do any actual work it wouldn't be trimmed in the load area.

Bare metal and slats or tough rubber matting on the base spec please, BMW.

Garlick a bit earlier on said:

Like it. Like it a lot. I think this actually deserves to do well, and would love to see them in the cities working hard.

What it needs though is a nice small derv, some flat paint, vinyl seats and steel wheels to make it viable. I'm not saying they shouldn't offer a flashy version for those that want it, I'm just hoping we see a working example too.

[Justayellowbadge]

suffolk009 said:

I am so bored. I just googled Hugh Buckingham Signwriter. He's an Abe Froman.

You must be if you did it again, already having found out once.

[lakeogh]

Eh. It'll be cheaper to buy a 2nd hand Clubman & convert it to a commercial. Too much, MINI. Too much!

[MrTappets]

I've a suspicion that, if they price it right, this could be a very clever move.

[Justayellowbadge]

CJE said:

I guess because it seems to move what was an essentially useless but well handling marketing exercise on 4 wheels into a realm of quirky practicality whereby I could throw my MTB in the back and have a genuinely good drive on the way to the hills

A couple of people have said things along this line. I'm confused by it - for a private vehicle, what does this bring in terms of practicality that the clubman doesn't already do?

[kambites]

Justayellowbadge said:

A couple of people have said things along this line. I'm confused by it - for a private vehicle, what does this bring in terms of practicality that the clubman doesn't already do?

You could surely ask the same question of the other supermini derived vans, and quite a lot of people buy them.