Mini Clubman set to bow out with Final Edition
Ridiculed at launch, the wagon now seems almost as quirky as Mini intended. Here's (maybe) your last chance to grab one
I’m not convinced this is a good buy, but it is news. The Mini Clubman is about to die and isn’t coming back. At least that's the expectation (we did ring Mini and they said it’s not confirmed just yet). Although given this special edition model is called the Final Edition, it does rather suggest that this will be among your final chances to buy a box-fresh Mini wagon. My reticence about its value proposition is that the Final Edition is £37,000, which is a lot. For that, I was expecting it to be based on the top-spec JCW model and come with many interesting features thrown in - but that’s not the case.
It turns out it’s based on a Cooper S, which has a healthy if not explosive 178hp, in Exclusive trim. Now, according to the configurator, if you were to buy a regular Copper S Exclusive it would set you back £32,290. From what I can make out, the only spec uplift here comes from the inclusion of the £1,800 Premium Plus Package, which throws in various things such as heated front seats, a rear camera, folding door mirrors, a Harmon Kardon sound system, keyless entry and a panoramic sunroof. If my maths is correct, that would take the price to just over £34,000.
What else do you get to account for the rest of the £3,000 uplift, then? Well, some Final Edition badges on the back of the car and inside – on the sill plates and steering wheel – and a special copper finish on the lower doors and the 18-inch alloys. Those alloys are unique to the Final Edition and, if I am being honest, don’t look anywhere near as nice as the standard wheels. You might think they’re wonderful, though, in which case keep reading. The seats are leather, but they would be anyway on the Exclusive trim, but here they’re finished in a special dark maroon colour with contrasting stitching and have anthracite fabric inserts. That really is about your lot.
It will be exclusive at least. To commemorate the original Clubman’s launch in 1969, there will be only 1969 Final Editions produced worldwide. Of those, just 100 will be coming to the UK. I might be wrong, but I am not sensing there will be a stampede to be one of the 100 owners of this particular limited-run model. Of course, we might be underestimating just how popular the outgoing Clubman really is - perhaps Mini anticipates a lengthy queue forming behind the model's faintly annoying rear doors. But I'd wager not.
The Gen 2 Clubman lost its way. It’s massive compared to the hatch and just looks all kinds of wrong.
Not sure where MINI sit in the electric future of BMW, but this suggests small estate cars are not it.
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