Mini Clubman

A new chapter in the MINI success story begins on 10th November 2007 as the new MINI Clubman goes on sale in the UK and across Europe. Dealers across the nation will be celebrating in style as this will be the first opportunity on British shores for the public to see the new car in the metal.

The Clubman is the next body style in the MINI range to join the successful Hatch and Convertible models, which have sold over one million models since 2001.

The new MINI Clubman is 24cm longer than the Hatch, signifying 8cm more legroom for rear passengers and the opportunity for 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 innovative Clubdoor on the right-hand side.

A range of engines combining performance with fuel efficiency and low carbon emissions features across the MINI Clubman line-up. Auto Start-Stop, Brake Energy Regeneration and a Gearshift Point Indicator are standard on all variants and helps the MINI Cooper D Clubman to achieve a low emissions figure of 109 g/km C02.

On-the-road-prices are £14,235 for the MINI Cooper, £15,400 for the MINI Cooper D, and £17,210 for the MINI Cooper S.

The new MINI Clubman has its roots in the 1960s when the Morris Mini Traveller and Austin Mini Countryman first came on the market, and later the Mini Clubman Estate in 1969. The characteristic features of these legendary models - unmistakable design, agile driving dynamics, generous interior and the rear split-door - have been re-interpreted for the 21st century and brought bang up to date with the appropriate materials, functions and quality desired today.

Just one year after the launch of the Morris Mini Minor and the Austin Seven, a new body variant was launched by the British Motor Corporation. Entering the market in 1960 under the motto “revolutionary in concept, smart in appearance”, the technically identical Morris Mini Traveller and Austin Seven Countryman hit the streets. Based on the commercial Mini Van, this new model had glass windows all round and a folding rear seat bench, as well as the now familiar rear split-doors for easy access. In addition, and perhaps as a nod to its trade background, both models featured wooden planks at the side and rear resulting in the nickname ‘Woody’.

The Traveller and Countryman were largely identical to the Mini saloon in terms of technical specifications. An 848-cc four cylinder engine produced a maximum output of 34hp and a top speed of 69mph.

Between 1960 and 1969, BMC sold 207,000.

Through the merger of BMC and Leyland in 1968, British Leyland was established and the separation of Austin and Morris models was lifted and Mini remained. The new Mini Clubman Estate was launched in 1969 and replaced the Traveller and Countryman.

While the classic Mini remained in production virtually without any changes, the Clubman received a new ‘boxy’ front end and upgraded equipment, including wind-down windows instead of sliding windows on the doors. The engine was the same at first, but in 1975 engine capacity was increased to 1,098cc with a power output of 45hp and top speed of 81mph.

The Mini Clubman Estate reached the end of its lifecycle in 1982 having sold 197,606.

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