Not so Mini any more? Distinctive six-door Clubman given a fresh look
THE distinctive six-door Mini Clubman has been refreshed with a newly modified design inside and out, the latest technology and hallmark driving fun.
Ride comfort, space and versatility characterise the new evolution of the Clubman model which was first launched 12 years ago and is now available to order priced from £21,000.
Despite the emphasis on British branding, including Union Flag LED rear lights and wheel styling, so far only left-hand drive model images have been released.
Now there is a choice of two petrol engines and one diesel engine, with output ranging from 126hp to 192hp (combined economy 43.5–70.6mpg; combined CO2 emissions 147 – 105 g/km.
The extremely sporty Mini John Cooper Works Clubman will join the range at a later date.
The body design of the new Mini Clubman is unique in its segment. The vehicle’s distinctive proportions, elongated roof line and split rear doors make a style statement while providing outstanding versatility.
The luggage compartment can be extended from 360 litres to as much as 1,250 litres with the rear seats folded.
Mini brand design cues include the domed bonnet, the circular headlamps – of which the surrounds are in chrome as standard - and the hexagonal shape of the grille.
The most striking design feature of the new Mini Clubman is the newly designed grille, which now extends across the entire bumper, bordered by a slim one-piece frame.
The air inlet is separated into six black, horizontal struts, which can be optionally upgraded to a chrome version as part of the Exclusive trim style.
The Cooper S Clubman has an exclusive hexagonal grid pattern instead of the horizontal struts and individual chrome strut in the air inlet, as well as the letters chrome-plated emblem with a red 'S' at the centre.
The distinguishing face of the new Clubman is enhanced by the modified design of the circular headlamps. The LED headlamps includes LED modules for low and high beam, while a white ring of light surrounding the headlamps serves both as daytime driving light and turn indicator. In addition, LED fog lamps are standard on this model too.
The new Mini Clubman is fitted as standard with LED rear lights. The light units with chrome surround are now integrated in the wings of the split door. In conjunction with the optional LED headlamps or the adaptive LED headlamps, the horizontally oriented rear lights feature a horizontal turn signal and vertical brake lamp.
Three new exterior colours are available to choose from launch. The new Clubman is now available in Indian Summer Red metallic, British Racing Green metallic or MINI Yours Enigmatic Black metallic. As an alternative to body colour, the roof and exterior mirror caps can also be finished in black, white or silver.
Depending on the model variant, the new Mini Clubman is fitted as standards with either 16-inch or 17-inch alloy wheels with 18- and 19-inch alloys also available.
New additions to the range include 18-inch Multiray Spoke 2-tone and Mini Yours British Spoke 2-tone, along with 19-inch John Cooper Works Circuit Spoke 2-tone design.
An entirely new sports suspension is also now available and offers a 10 millimetre height reduction, further optimising the vehicle’s agile driving response.
There is also the option of an adaptive suspension. This enables the driver to choose between two characteristic curves for the damper set-up via the Mini Driving Modes toggle switch – one setup geared for comfort, and the other for a sportier driving style.
The new Clubman offers a high level of standard features, including Mini Navigation on a 6.5-inch display, Real Time Traffic Information (RTTI) and Apple CarPlay. Also standard are rain sensors and automatic headlight activation, the interior lights package and the Mini Excitement pack which includes Mini logo projection, illuminated door handles and LED mood light
The new Clubman is equipped with a 4G SIM card which is embedded within the vehicle. This enables Intelligent Emergency Call with automatic detection of the vehicle location and accident severity is available, as well as Mini TeleServices.
Connected Services are also standard, as well as Bluetooth. Heli-Spoke alloy wheels and Firework Cloth seats in Carbon Black complete the Classic offering.
In addition, for those wanting a more powerful looking MINI Clubman, the Sport style adds a John Cooper Works Sports steering wheel, John Cooper Works sports seats and 17-inch John Cooper Works Track Spoke alloy wheels as standard.
For further personalisation, customers can upgrade to a full leather John Cooper Works sport seat or Cross Punch leather seat and 19-inch John Cooper Works Course Spoke alloy on Cooper S models.
Completing the trio of styles, Exclusive offers customers the option of additional luxury. With 17-inch Roulette Spoke alloys, Mini Yours leather steering wheel and Mini Yours Leather Lounge sports seats as standard, this style ensures a sophisticated presence both inside and outside the vehicle. Additional leather options include Satellite Grey and Indigo Blue.
The engine portfolio for the new Mini Clubman includes a 3-cylinder and 4-cylinder petrol engine along with one 4-cylinder diesel engine, all of which feature the latest generation of Mini TwinPower Turbo Technology.
Instead of the standard 6-speed manual transmission, a 7-speed Steptronic transmission with double clutch is optionally available for the Cooper Clubman and the Cooper S Clubman. A 7-speed Steptronic sports transmission is also optionally available for the Cooper S Clubman.
At market launch, the new Clubman will be available in three model variants: Mini Cooper Clubman: 136hp, 0-62mph in 9.2 sec, top speed: 127mph, economy combined: 49.6 – 50.4 mpg, CO2 emissions combined: 129 – 127 g/km.
Mini Cooper S Clubman: 192hp, 0-62mph in 7.3 secs, top speed: 142mph, fuel consumption combined: 43.5–44.1mpg, CO2 emissions combined: 147–145 g/km.
Mini Cooper D Clubman: 150hp, 0-62mph in 8.9 secs, top speed: 132mph, fuel consumption combined: 64.2–65.7 mpg, CO2 emissions combined: 114–113 g/km.
The Navigation pack comes as standard in the new Clubman, with the option to upgrade to the Navigation Plus Pack which boasts a larger 8.8-inch touch display, Concierge Service and Enhanced Bluetooth with wireless charging.
In addition, the current version of the Mini Connected App offers an exceptionally wide range of digital services that facilitate effortless trip planning from the driver’s mobile phone.
This includes the possibility of sending navigation destinations from smartphone to vehicle and receiving information such as the ideal departure time, as well as Remote Services.
The latter function allows the driver not just to display vehicle location, fuel level and other vehicle status details on their smartphone, but also flash the headlights, activate the horn, ventilation and door lock/unlock function.
