Wednesday 26th February 2014

Mini Clubman concept shown

Don't fancy the upcoming 5-door hatch or Countryman? Try a new Clubman!

---

It's got four doors! That's perhaps the most important thing to know about the Mini Clubman Concept (that looks rather production ready).

Yep, definitely a Mk3 Mini from here

So there will be no more clambering across by rear-seat passengers to get out, although it does give the car a slightly more hatch-like appearance than previously (helped by a 26cm length increase). We quite liked it as a van, maybe customers were less keen.

The front is instantly recognisable as a Mk3 Mini, with the Rocketman influenced lights. From behind though, the Clubman is very much different, both from the new hatch and the outgoing car. Vertical lights are now horizontal and much chunkier; Mini claims the rear view is 'broad and athletic', certainly helped by the new Clubman being 17cm wider than before. The split rear doors make a return, and the chrome model inscription has been introduced from the Paceman and Countryman. But it takes up so much space the Mini logo is tacked on almost as an afterthought...

Can you see the AirBreather?

Other unique Clubman design features include the plexiglass sections in the roof, a double roof spoiler and an 'AirBreather' at the side. It's apparently like the 'AirCurtains' at the front and cuts into the surrounding 'Black Band'. That doesn't really help, but presumably it's that trim down on the side sills.

The Clubman concept is painted Berry Red with a roof in 'Blade' and 19-inch (19s! On a Mini) bi-colour wheels, previewing what will surely be a host of customisation options.

While the outside is probably representative of the production Clubman, the interior is a little more adventurous. It was the leather covered instrument panel with 'a surround in blue limed ash grain and a white porcelain finish' that gave it away. That and the air vents with 'patinised, silver-plated surrounds'. The display behind the gearlever changes according to which toggle behind it is selected, which can be individually programmed.

Some of this will make production...

But this is the practical Mini, right? To that end there are three 'fully-fledged' seats, a double load floor and storage pouches in the rear doors. Trimmed in Silk White leather, of course.

However, stripped of its show fripperies, this concept is surely indicative of the production Clubman. What isn't known yet is when that car will go on sale, or indeed when the production version will be shown. We'll keep you posted, and report back on a first drive of the new Mini hatch very soon.

 

[dukebox9reg]

Oh my good god, i'm a fan of the new Bini's but my god my eyes are burning.

Was thinking of trading my Cooper S Countryman in for one of these because it was going to be a proper small estate.

Thought a small fun estate would be cracking but that is Fugly and overly messy. What were they thinking with the rear lights? I dont mind the proportions but the details are nasty.

Edited by dukebox9reg on Wednesday 26th February 11:22

[eybic]

I think Mini are moving away from the vertical rear lights in favour of the horizontal design.

[Bill]

Shame they ditched the suicide doors completely.

[arkenphel]

I like the interior, and I like the exterior, and overall it looks cool apart from the rear lights, which should be horizontal.

I don't thk it should be badged a Mini, though. It's a bit big for the name.

[RumpleFugly]

Did the designers just have a game of 'pin the rear lights on the donkey'?

Completely non-cohesive. The rest looks as you'd expect.

[WCZ]

vile

[b14]

Sorry, it's 17cm wider and 26cm longer? The last one was stretching the use of the term "Mini" - but now it's just ridiculous.

[ajprice]

Its horrible, and the horizontal rear lights are just wrong. Also, the OCD people are going to be screaming at the C L U B M A N lettering across the back, 4 letters on one door, 3 letters on the other, noooooo!!!!!! .

[Pistachio]

Here we go photoshop time
This is all they had to do...

[Zircon]

How did Britain let such a cash cow as the Mini brand slip into foreign hands? It just keep going......and we pay the Germans for our own historical styling cues.

[DoctorX]

The back of that car is just plain wrong - ugly split spoiler, asymmetric lettering, horrible lights (see also the Paceman) and the 'MINI' badge looks out of place. Apart from that, it's OK if you like that sort of thing.

[r11co]

I'm actually quite liking that. Ditching the gimmicky half-door makes sense (unless they were prepared to re-engineer left and right hand versions).

Rear lights are a joke though, and the Magritte reference in the pictures is just pretentious crap.

Chop-top roof is very reminiscent of the 300C wagon methinks.

I'm agreeing that the assymetric badging is a big fail. Reminds me of this thread.

Edited by r11co on Wednesday 26th February 12:13

[dukebox9reg]

r11co said:

I'm actually quite liking that. Ditching the gimmicky half-door makes sense (unless they were prepared to re-engineer left and right hand versions).

Rear lights are a joke though, and the Magritte reference in the pictures is just pretentious crap.

Chop-top roof is very reminiscent of the 300C wagon methinks.

I'm agreeing that the assymetric badging is a big fail. Reminds me of this thread.

Edited by r11co on Wednesday 26th February 12:13

Makes my OCD twitches everytime I see the van with the brake light vertically on one door just off centre.

For the life of me cant remember which van it is though.

[Fetchez la vache]

Design Brief? "Must look like catfish"

Mini? Maxi more like. When are they going to release a version that targets the E-class?

Really liked the the clubman, and would have bought one if it had 4 doors. This I'm not so sure...

[struttob]

Nasty - but then it is a Mini I suppose !

Bob

[chryslerben]

Zircon said:

How did Britain let such a cash cow as the Mini brand slip into foreign hands? It just keep going......and we pay the Germans for our own historical styling cues.

Unions screwed all that up

[JulesV]

Sorry to be controversial but I like it.

[va1o]

Looks awful who let this out of the door?

[RacingBlue]

Good lord - that actually is a hearse.

[JaguarsportXJR]

JulesV said:

Sorry to be controversial but I like it.

So you should be.