MINI

Yes, it's the MINI Clubman!

It wasn't on the stands at Geneva, yet Auto Express exclusively caught MINI's all-new estate on camera

Auto Express Car Reviews

By Sam Hardy

14th March 2007

Stop staring at me... the words on the side of this special MINI could not be clearer. But how can we resist? It's the world premiere of the all-new Clubman! Auto Express was there to grab the first pictures of the eagerly awaited newcomer, which goes on sale here before the end of the year.


	Yet while the car was nowhere to be seen on the company's stand, we were present when it made this unofficial public debut at a special event in the Swiss city on the eve of the expo

MINI bosses confirmed the news at the Geneva Motor Show. Yet while the car was nowhere to be seen on the company's stand, we were present when it made this unofficial public debut at a special event in the Swiss city on the eve of the expo.

Appearing briefly outside the BMW Group venue, the new Clubman was revealed complete with some rather eye-catching livery. It's the next step in MINI's plans to expand the range, which also include a rugged SUV. The sporty estate is a practical, stylish load-lugger which is brimming with retro appeal. And although MINI is keeping its cards close to its chest about the new model - limiting 'official' press images to a teaser sketch - the car we spotted tells the full story.

Carrying fluorescent, graffiti-style tagging, it certainly stands out - with a complete lack of disguise. In keeping with previous Mini Countryman and Traveller estates, the Clubman features an extended two-door body similar to that of the Traveller concept, which was seen for the first time at the 2005 Frankfurt Motor Show.

At the front, the new car has been given the latest MINI line-up's nose, although the big news is at the back. The tailgate is split in two with twin, van-style doors and individual windscreen wipers. These provide excellent access to the sizeable boot. As you can see from the sketch, another key feature that has been carried over from the Frankfurt show machine is its asymmetric design.

There's one Mazda RX8-style 'suicide' door on the passenger's side, to make getting in and out of the rear easy. This opening will be swapped to the nearside for UK-spec right-hand-drive models, so passengers in this country can enter and exit from the pavement. Inside, there's a slide-out boot floor to aid loading, as well as plenty of hidden compartments and enough seating for five occupants.

Under the skin, the Clubman uses stretched platform architecture from the new MINI range, and top brass are promising a driving experience as sporty as that of the three-door models. Engines will mirror the current line-up from the One, Cooper and Cooper S, and comprise 95bhp 1.4, 120bhp 1.6 and 175bhp 1.6-litre petrol motors, as well as the 110bhp 1.6 diesel from the Cooper D.

Even though the Countryman and Traveller names had been put forward as possible options, bosses have chosen the Clubman badge, first used on the square-nosed Mini variant of the Seventies. According to a spokesman for the company, the name "fits best with the modern MINI brand" and will work well across its global markets.

After a public debut scheduled for the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, the Clubman is set to appear in showrooms in December, with prices starting at about £13,500.

As with the three-door hatchback range, customers will have the opportunity to personalise their Clubman with a host of styling enhancements, including alloy wheels, bodykits and unique interior materials.