Mini Clubman

For the original British Leyland Mini Clubman (1969-1980), see Mini

Mini Clubman
Overview
Manufacturer	Mini
Production	2007-present
Model years	2008-2014
Assembly	Cowley, Oxford, England
Body and chassis
Class	Subcompact
Body style	4-door Estate, Van
Layout	Front engine, front-wheel drive
Related	Mini Hatch
Powertrain
Engine	1.6L I4 (One/Cooper) 1.6L Petrol turbocharged I4 (Cooper S) 1.6L BMW N47 diesel I4 (Cooper D and One D)
Transmission	6-speed automatic 6-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	100.3 in (2,548 mm)
Length	2008-2010: 155.0 in (3,937 mm) 2008-2010 S: 155.8 in (3,957 mm) 2011-Present: 155.9 in (3,960 mm)
Width	66.3 in (1,684 mm)
Height	56.1 in (1,425 mm) S: 56.4 in (1,433 mm)
Kerb weight	1,205 kg (2,657 lb)

The Mini Clubman is an estate car engineered and manufactured by BMW under the Mini. It was introduced in 2007, as a variant of the Mini Hatch (hatchback). A commercial version called Clubvan was added to the range in 2012.

Background

The use of the name "Clubman" is a departure from Mini tradition. "Clubman" was originally the name given to the 1970s facelift of the classic Mini, which mostly resulted in a squared-off front end, whereas the classic Mini estates had traditionally been named "Traveller" or "Countryman" (a Clubman-styled estate was, however, available in Australia). However, BMW did not initially purchase the rights to use those names, and so decided to call its estate-variant "Clubman", a name which it did own rights to.

The model variants are the same as the Hatch/Hardtop version; being in available in One, Cooper, Cooper S, Cooper D, and John Cooper Works (JCW) variations.

First generation (R55) (2007–2014)

Design

Mini Clubman, rear

Identical to the two-door hatchback from the B-pillar forward, the Clubman features a length increased by 240 mm (9.4 in), an 80 mm (3.1 in) longer wheelbase, increased rear-seat leg room and cargo space deeper by 160 mm (6.3 in), providing an increased 260 litres (9.2 cu ft) of space – growing from a total of 680 to 920 litres (24 to 32 cu ft) with the rear seats folded. The Clubman model weighs 64 kilograms (141 lb) more than its two-door counterpart.

The Clubman features access to its cargo volume via bi-parting rear doors, also known as barn doors or Splitdoors. All Clubman models, feature a pair of bi-parting side doors, marketed singlarly as the Clubdoor, which are always located on its right side of the body – irrespective of market. This in turn creates differences between right and left-hand driver markets. Because (irrespective of market) the steering wheel will preclude the driver's seat from folding as far forward as the passenger seat, left-hand drive markets feature increased access to the rear seat via. For right-hand drive markets, including the car's home market, the bi-parting door is located on the road side of the car, requiring rear passengers to exit into the road.^[1]

In 2007, Torque magazine said the Clubman is "essentially a shooting-brake design."^[2]

Mini Cooper S Clubman, cargo area

Recently, the company unveiled the Clubman Bond Street, named after a prestigious shopping destination in London, featuring exclusive and stylish appointments inside and out.^[3]

Specifications

Four-cylinder engine, automatic transmission and manual transmission selections are identical to those used in the corresponding hatchback models, except for the 66 kW (90 PS; 89 hp) One Diesel which is not offered in the Clubman. The rear suspension setup shares many of the same design features, including the rear trailing arms and the anti-roll bars.^[4]

The Clubman comes with 6 airbags; stability control, brake assist driving and electronic brakeforce distribution.

Clubvan

A panel van commercial version of the Clubman was first shown to the public in June 2012, called the Clubvan. Initially shown as a concept car at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show,^[5] a pre-production version was shown at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.^[6] Sales in the US began in early calendar 2013 but it was withdrawn in July with only 50 units sold, the Chicken tax having made it more expensive than a Clubman wagon. ^[7]

Second generation (F54)

A second generation Clubman was announced in 2013, with model code F54.^[8] A concept version was unveiled at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show, with a production model expected towards the end of 2014.^[9]

Vision GT Concept

In 2014, work began on the MINI Clubman VGT, which was designed for the videogame Gran Turismo 6.^[10] The car features four-wheel drive^[11] and carbon fibre components to save weight,^[12] and at nearly 400 horsepower, is one of the most powerful Minis.^[13] It was made available to players via an update in February 2015.^[14]

Reception

In October 2014, Top Gear magazine placed the Mini Clubman on its list of "The worst cars you can buy right now", describing the car as "Lamentable to drive - shuddery, messy and as comfortable as a marble mattress."^[15]

References