Mini dealers open doors to first Clubman customers

The new MINI Clubman will go on sale in the UK on Saturday 10 November 2007. Based on a concept first shown at Frankfurt Motor Show in 2005, the new car is a modern interpretation of its famous Mini predecessors taking into account all the demands and technologies of the 21st century.

It takes a sneaky peek back in time, but has its eyes firmly ahead on the engineering, design, safety and image demands that today’s customers expect of a premium car. Still a MINI, but with a little bit extra.

Available from launch in three engine variants: Cooper, Cooper D and Cooper S, the new model offers practical flexibility, easier access through innovative door concepts, more space for rear passengers and high levels of safety and customisation options. But nothing compromises MINI’s revered driving dynamics and the Clubman look will be unique on the streets.

The stand-out styling (and added practicality) reinforces MINI’s position in the 21st century as the most in-demand small car on the planet. Over 188,000 were demanded in 2006 and 2007 will be yet another record sales year for MINI. But it is the swinging ‘60s that had a hand in the Clubman development.

The new car takes inspiration and styling cues from the Morris Mini Traveller, Austin Mini Countryman and the Mini Clubman Estate. The new MINI Clubman nevertheless stays true to the successful, modern MINI design language. It’s still a MINI, so owners get short body overhangs, wide track, a long wheelbase, the high shoulder line rising towards the rear and, of course, MINI decals for the roof.

The new MINI Clubman is 24cm longer than the Hatch. Inside, it offers 8cm more legroom for rear passengers and is the first new MINI to enter the market with five seats. Boot capacity has increased to 260 litres with the seats in place and up to 930 litres with the rear seats down. Access to this extra space has been made easier via the split rear doors and additional Clubdoor on the right-hand side.

Andy Hearn, MINI UK General Manager, said: “MINI remains the most successful small car of the decade, and its appeal to a wider variety of customers has increased even more in 2007. The MINI Clubman is the third model in the range to join the successful MINI Hatch and MINI Convertible. We have a great choice of engines that satisfy low emissions and high fuel efficiency desires, but also keep the fun in driving. The new MINI Clubman has all the plus points of a MINI, with added functionality and a unique style.”

Modern high-performance engines, designed specifically for the 2nd generation MINI, feature new improvements to optimise fuel economy and emissions management. Auto Start-Stop, Brake Energy Regeneration and a Gearshift Point Indicator are standard on all variants. The greatest impact is seen on the MINI Cooper D Clubman, which achieves a hybrid-matching low emissions figure of 109 g/km C02.

The Clubman body style adds to the MINI family of Hatch and Convertible models, which have sold over one million models worldwide since 2001. All three derivatives are built at Plant Oxford, where £100 million has been invested in the past two years to increase production up to 240,000 by 2008. This is more than double the planned production capacity prior to the first car coming off the line in spring 2001.

Oliver Zipse, Managing Director BMW Group Plant Oxford, said: “The new MINI Clubman is another milestone in the MINI success story. Our highly committed associates in the MINI production triangle plants in the UK at Oxford, Hams Hall and Swindon have so far produced more than one million MINIs since the car was relaunched in 2001. With the MINI Clubman we are expecting new production and sales records for MINI which is great news for the UK automotive industry.”

As with the Hatch models, the petrol engines will be assembled at Plant Hams Hall in the Midlands and the body panels and sub-assemblies are from Plant Swindon. This ‘MINI production triangle’ employs a workforce of approximately 6,800 in the UK, and delivers MINIs to over 70 markets worldwide.