The Mini Clubman has marked its debut at the Frankfurt Auto Show. And so far the reviews have been great, the new stretched version brings some new innovations to the Mini line. This model comes in 5 doors and the interesting part is the opening mechanism for the back doors and also the trunk. Autoblog names it “new stretched shape with its right-hand suicide door and funky barn-door cargo ports out back.”
While the design is fairly unique and interesting, there are many voices that keep bragging about the shorter mini and its driving dynamics. The main concern is that the new Mini has moved away from the image of a “drivers car” and it’s trying to accommodate a variety of people. At this point, we really don’t how this new Mini Club handles itself on the roads and if it still has the sporting abilities, but soon, the test drive reviews will be coming in and we’ll where the Clubman stands.
More photos at autoblog
Press Release:
Description in Brief
• Enlargement of the MINI brand family through the addition of a truly
innovative, unique shooting brake concept highlighting both the car’s
sportiness and its functional qualities through its stretched roofline,
the MINI Clubman combining a driving experience typical of the brand with
extroverted design, a high level of personalisation, and enhanced
function; five seats, hatchback with two doors opening to the side (splitdoor
design); additional Clubdoor on the right-hand side of the car
opening against the direction of travel; body length extended versus the
“regular” MINI by 24 centimetres (9.45´´ ), wheelbase and legroom
at the rear up by 8 centimetres (3.15´´ ); luggage compartment capacity
260–930 litres (9.1–32.6 cu ft) with the rear-seat backrest tilted down.
• Unique, highly distinctive proportions as a clear sign of the MINI Clubman’s
individual character; clear integration into the design language typical of
the brand through MINI design icons.
• New generation of four-cylinder gasoline engines with twin-scroll
turbocharger and, respectively, fully variable valve management as well as
four-cylinder diesel engine with common-rail fuel injection; all engine
variants featuring a wide range of improvements to optimise fuel economy
and emission management: Auto Start-Stop, Brake Energy Regeneration,
gearshift point indicator.
• Front-wheel drive; go-kart feeling typical of the brand ensured by
demanding chassis technology specifically geared to the MINI Clubman;
brakes with anti-lock system (ABS), electronic brake force distributionforce distribution
(EBD), Cornering Brake Control (CBC) and Brake Assistant; Dynamic
Stability Control (DSC) with hill start-up assistance standard on all models;
limited-slip differential as an option on the MINI Cooper S Clubman.
• Crash-optimised passenger cell; six airbags featured as standard;
three-point inertia-reel seat belts on all seats; belt latch tensioners and belt
force limiters at the front; belt warner; ISOFIX child seat fastening system
at the rear featured as standard.
• Up-to-date rendition of the historical roots inherent in the brand by
styling references to the Morris Mini Traveller, the Austin Mini Countryman,
and the Mini Clubman Estate in the 1960s.
• Wide range of customisation options both outside and inside;
frame around the rear doors colour-matched to the roof trim;
choice of more than 40 different colour combinations; specific range of
optional extras and accessories.
• Market launch in Germany on 10 November 2007 with three engine
variants:
MINI Cooper S Clubman: Four-cylinder gasoline engine with twin-scroll
turbocharger and direct fuel injection,
Capacity 1,598 cc, max output 128 kW/175 hp at 5,500 rpm,
max torque 240 Nm/177 lb-ft at 1,600–5,000 rpm
(260 Nm/192 lb-ft with Overboost),
Acceleration (0–100 km/h) in 7.6 seconds,
Top speed 224 km/h (139 mph),
Average fuel consumption to EU standard 6.3 litres/100 kilometres
(44.8 mpg imp),
CO2 emissions 150 g/km.
MINI Cooper Clubman: Four-cylinder gasoline engine with fully
variable valve management based on the BMW Group’s VALVETRONIC
technology,
Capacity 1,598 cc, max output 88 kW/120 hp at 6,000 rpm,
max torque 160 Nm/118 lb-ft at 4,250 rpm,
Acceleration (0–100 km/h) in 9.8 seconds,
Top speed 201 km/h (125 mph),
Average fuel consumption to EU standard 5.5 litres/100 kilometres
(51.4 mpg imp),
CO2 emissions 132 g/km.
MINI Cooper D Clubman: Four-cylinder turbodiesel with common-rail
fuel injection and variable turbine geometry,
Capacity 1,560 cc, max output 80 kW/110 hp at 4,000 rpm,
max torque 240 Nm/177 lb-ft at 1,750–2,000 rpm
(260 Nm/192 lb-ft with Overboost),
Acceleration (0–100 km/h) in 10.4 seconds,
Top speed 193 km/h (120 mph),
Average fuel consumption to EU standard 4.1 litres/100 kilometres
(68.9 mpg imp), CO2 emissions 109 g/km.
