RE: Mini Clubman: Geneva 2014
Wednesday 5th March 2014
The Mini stand at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show was always going to divide opinion. In time-honoured yeast extract spread fashion, you either love or hate modern Mini. Which brings us on to the new Mini Clubman. It’s the longest car ever to wear the Mini badge, a pub fact that’s simply adding fuel to the fires of hatred that burn within the Mini’s biggest detractors.
Careful what you wish for - too many doors now?So it’s bigger (larger than an Austin Maxi, in fact), but it’s also more conventional. Gone is the controversial Club Door, with a four-door layout put in its place. Mini will claim that the van-like doors on the boot make the Clubman a six-door, but unless you like entering a car via the luggage area, this is perhaps stretching things a little. We certainly don’t expect the interior to look anything like the show car, with the final production model falling more into line with the newly announced Mini hatch. But the benefit of the extra length should result in a bigger boot.
Mini Clubman: Geneva 2014
More doors on your wagon courtesy of Clubman, cough, 'concept'
Mini will stress that the Clubman on show in Geneva is merely a concept, but it looks as near as dammit to a production model to us. That’s if you discount the lubriciously low profile rubber bands, excusing themselves for tyres on those show-spec alloy wheels.
Careful what you wish for - too many doors now?
Away from the Clubman, the Mini stand was - by Mini’s standards - a relatively modest affair. Although the pumped-up Monster Energy Countryman, complete with 307hp turbodiesel engine, three-piece carbonfibre cockpit and Recaro racing seats certainly caught our eye.
Well you couldn’t really miss it. Still, at least it made the Clubman look small.
Discussion
What makes me laugh is those who go "The new Mini's aren't proper Mini's"
My experience of the old one was that it's DREADFULL. Horribly cramped cabin, stupid sized fuel tank, digusting ride, irritating amount of noise, rust prone beyond belief and not any more fun than some modern hatchbacks.
I went out in a BMW Mini (with the Crysler engine) and it was much, much better in every single way. Good job BMW
My experience of the old one was that it's DREADFULL. Horribly cramped cabin, stupid sized fuel tank, digusting ride, irritating amount of noise, rust prone beyond belief and not any more fun than some modern hatchbacks.
I went out in a BMW Mini (with the Crysler engine) and it was much, much better in every single way. Good job BMW
The new front end certainly harks back to the orignal in a more honest fashion than my Gen2. I really dont like to he back end of the outgoing Gen2 Clubman, it looks like its still wearing a pre production disguise. This one looks like someone's come back from lunch and bothered to finish the rear end off.
As much as new Jags dont look anything like Inspector Morse's Mk2 but most people love them and they're a big success, I think this is still definitely a descendent of the orignal mini (although it doesn't look anything like an original Clubman Traveller but they looked aweful anyway).
As much as new Jags dont look anything like Inspector Morse's Mk2 but most people love them and they're a big success, I think this is still definitely a descendent of the orignal mini (although it doesn't look anything like an original Clubman Traveller but they looked aweful anyway).
Id quite happily have that, with the Mk2 Mini front and back end. So basically just increase the old estate by 10-15%.
This just looks a mess. Front is to wishy washy for me and the rear horizontal lights just look silly. Doesn't fit with the rest of the car.
This just looks a mess. Front is to wishy washy for me and the rear horizontal lights just look silly. Doesn't fit with the rest of the car.
Edited by dukebox9reg on Wednesday 5th March 13:11
dukebox9reg said:
Id quite happily have that, with the Mk2 Mini front and back end. So basically just increase the old estate by 10-15%.
This just looks a mess. Front is to wishy washy for me and the rear horizontal lights just look silly. Doesn't fit with the rest of the car.
Please say they've had their eyes photo shopped out!This just looks a mess. Front is to wishy washy for me and the rear horizontal lights just look silly. Doesn't fit with the rest of the car.
Edited by dukebox9reg on Wednesday 5th March 13:11
What type of fish are those?
Rear lights look garbage and so does the centre exit for the exhaust. The previous cars one either side looked much better.
Otispunkmeyer said:
dukebox9reg said:
Id quite happily have that, with the Mk2 Mini front and back end. So basically just increase the old estate by 10-15%.
This just looks a mess. Front is to wishy washy for me and the rear horizontal lights just look silly. Doesn't fit with the rest of the car.
Please say they've had their eyes photo shopped out!This just looks a mess. Front is to wishy washy for me and the rear horizontal lights just look silly. Doesn't fit with the rest of the car.
Edited by dukebox9reg on Wednesday 5th March 13:11
What type of fish are those?
Rear lights look garbage and so does the centre exit for the exhaust. The previous cars one either side looked much better.
MajorGav said:
Mini will claim that the van-like doors on the boot make the Clubman a six-door, but unless you like entering a car via the luggage area, this is perhaps stretching things a little.
Hang on, with every hatchback being described as a 3 door or a 5 door, does this mean MajorGav often uses the "back door" as an entrance, but just won't on the Mini?!I still think the current clubman (at least viewed from the non club door side) is the best looking mini in the Gen2 range although I do own one so am biased.
I like this one too and it fixes the compromise of the club door which is already less convenient on RHD cars.
My 2 boys have grown in the 4 years I have owned mine and a bit of extra legroom in the back will be great, I will certainly take a look at this when it hits the showrooms.
If they offered it with All4 would possibly be my ideal second car.
I like this one too and it fixes the compromise of the club door which is already less convenient on RHD cars.
My 2 boys have grown in the 4 years I have owned mine and a bit of extra legroom in the back will be great, I will certainly take a look at this when it hits the showrooms.
If they offered it with All4 would possibly be my ideal second car.
hillchilly said:
I still think the current clubman (at least viewed from the non club door side) is the best looking mini in the Gen2 range although I do own one so am biased.
I like this one too and it fixes the compromise of the club door which is already less convenient on RHD cars.
My 2 boys have grown in the 4 years I have owned mine and a bit of extra legroom in the back will be great, I will certainly take a look at this when it hits the showrooms.
If they offered it with All4 would possibly be my ideal second car.
Agreed, I had a Mini Clubman Soho edition and to my eyes it looked great, I don't quite get the hatred thats thrown at the Clubman, I think it looks better than the normal hatch.I like this one too and it fixes the compromise of the club door which is already less convenient on RHD cars.
My 2 boys have grown in the 4 years I have owned mine and a bit of extra legroom in the back will be great, I will certainly take a look at this when it hits the showrooms.
If they offered it with All4 would possibly be my ideal second car.
I have to say that I quite like that. It looks quirky yet attractive. I'm indifferent to the MINI range, as I was never a fan of the original and so really don't care how "in keeping" the BMW MINIs are. They have released some truly horrific looking versions though, the coupe being the first that springs to mind, but this looks good to my eye.
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