Topic: CD Article: 2008 Mini Clubman

[Autos_Editor]

Today's First Drive:

The new Mini Clubman is a modern iteration of the original 1960 Traveller and Countryman models, says contributor Peter Bleakney.  With its roomy cargo area, "You can shove your mountain bike in there," he says.  It will go on sale in Canada in the first quarter of 2008.
   
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[tpl]

I hope they will see sense on that back door surround and either get rid of it or make it body colour.

I wonder what colour it would be with a Union Flag roof ?

[jww]

I hope they will see sense on that back door surround and either get rid of it or make it body colour.

I wonder what colour it would be with a Union Flag roof ?

The jury is still out for me as to whether I like the rear door surround. Some angles I think "cool" and others, I think "yuck". While I can't make up my mind on the rear bit - I do like the Clubman concept, but kinda wished they had brought back the Traveller moniker as the extended 'estate' model name instead of the Clubman which was a snub-nose Mini.

[safristi]

.I see 2 Funky Musicians have reponded already...... It's not Ovr till tha Fat Lady tries ta get inna back seat...................................are ya both piccolo players....

[Rupert]

Not a vehicle for me. I suppose I go for cheaper transport with greater utiliy. Love the looks however and engineering. Used to have one of the original mini panel vans with rubber suspension and tiny wheels.
This one appears to be a little out of proportion with the extended wheel base IMO. Sort of like a mini stretched limo.
Maybe in the flesh, on the road they look OK.
Now thats my kind of speedo, big and just to the right of the stearing wheel at the top of the dash. Great. Since lateral periferal vision is greater than vertical I think that it is read with less distraction from the road ahead than is required by peering through the stearing wheel. Faces fore and aft...great. The tach is just an afterthought. Come to think of it I also owned an Austin 1100 and later in Canada a 1300. I guess they had Hydrolastic suspension. The mini was more fun.

[safristi]

NOT ONE "designer" nixxed the   TACHY saucepan  ..you could cook fries wif dat................

[Rupert]

Yup! could fry onions to go wif ya tripe.

[safristi]

..Obviously never tried TRIPE...just throw it about.... ..so the Club is a Mans wet dream ta Rupert the BEAR.............honey ya need  an eye opener if ya think that's KOOL

[Sir Meow]

Nice car, I just wish they had called by right name, The Countyman, The Clubman was sporty Mini with a snub-nose.

[random006]

Nice car, I just wish they had called by right name, The Countyman, The Clubman was sporty Mini with a snub-nose.

I have to admit, a better name might have been advisable.  Certainly for me, Clubman will always be the toiletry products available at the Country Club (Brookline) Golf Club:



http://www.williamsportbarber.com/ShopSite/clubman.html

[safristi]

..why my  local Club men take exception to the inferences therein.....Hmmphh....

[Cord]

Is this car the answer to a question that no one asked?

I wonder if anyone besides Brit ex-pats will have any interest in this car?

[initial_D]

I love driving the new Mini, would buy one in a heart beat if there is an opportunity to do so. This version of it ain't cool in my view.  I have no history with the original Mini of yesteryear, may be that is the reason I find the pictures of the new Clubman very unattractive.

[Mitlov]

Is this car the answer to a question that no one asked?

I wonder if anyone besides Brit ex-pats will have any interest in this car?

I asked for a Mini answer to the five-door GTI.  Of course, since this offers barely more rear-seat access than the normal Mini (though it does offer reasonable rear-seat space), it doesn't really answer that question.

Ironically, this looks more family-oriented than a five-door GTI, even though it's less family-friendly.  It's so long compared to its height and width that it looks like a microvan, whereas the five-door GTI just looks like a GTI with two more doors.

[Schmengie]

   This thing looks like Fred Flintstone's limo. Hence, I guess, the name.... 

[safristi]

..ex_pats...?..Maybe like the Element it will be out of it's element(surfer doods,Mt Bikers etcc) and appeal to a different demographic...didn't someone post that his Musician friends th'ot it MoFo Kool.............and the gang is still out?

[initial_D]

The Element has that utility capability that is unmatched in any vehicle that size on the market. The  flat cargo floor, swing out side doors, rectangular interior space is very useful for hauling bulky items, and lot of boxes.

I can't see the Miniclub being anymore useful than a typical hatch.

[2JDM]

Not really a fan...but I am a huge fan of the Mini Cooper S though. 

[David]

They worked with Peugeot on the engine, how about putting one of Peugeot's exellent diesel engines in it as an option for the North American market.

[84im]

I have rear hinged doors on my 2000 Ranger supercab, and I hate them.  To open the rear hinged door I have to fully open the front door, which is near impossible in my community's crowded parking lots.  I love MINIs (I own a 2006 MCS), but I would never buy a clubman.  If I need more room I'll sell the MINI and buy a Mazdaspeed3.