2008 MINI Clubman Featured Color Revealed

Sections: R55 (Clubman) Jan 8th, 2007 50 Comments

MotoringFile Exclusive: Since the release of the first new MINI in 2001, BMW has used one featured color to introduce each new model. It’s a color that is seen in press photos, advertising and in many reviews. Typically automakers use these featured colors to present a unifed marketing message about a car to the public at large. Many hours of research and color theory goes into a choice that best represents the brand values of the car.

This was seen in 2004 when MINI used Cool Blue and Hot Orange as the featured colors to introduce both the then new Convertible Cooper and Cooper S models. More recently, MINI used Chili Red and Laser Blue for the R56 Cooper and Cooper S.

However with the 2008 MINI Clubman, BMW will step out of it’s typical safe color palette and will go with something that will surely prove more divisive and a bit more… brown. Enter… Hot Chocolate.

Hot Chocolate will be a no-cost, non-metallic dark brown color that will be an exclusive across the 2008 Clubman range (i.e. not available on the coupe or convertible).

MINI has featured several shades of brown over the years but we’re told none is really indicative of what we’ll see with Hot Chocolate. We hope to have a sneak peak at this and other new exterior and interior colors in the coming months. Until then, go brown!

Written By: Gabe

http://inomis.com iNomis in VA

I heard yesterday on Autoline Detroit TV that brown is a big color for cars this year. Hope MINI isn’t late with the trend…
http://security.tipcentral.net/ James

Geez… and my son, just this morning, told me that he wanted the next mini cooper to be blue…
Rich Hall

I’m scared… I always think of MINI as number one not number two! ;)
http://dbmini.us DB

I think I would need to see it in person.

With a white roof would it look like hot chocolate with marshmellows on top?

Also thinking that brown wouldn’t be the best choice, seeing how well the other new ‘brown’ item is doing.
Ashley

I dunno about this… i’m afraid it’s gonna remind me of my parents brown Ford station wagon from the early 80′s. :D
FrankInMiami

Damn, I would have to see that in person too. I would hate to be driving around in the “3 Musketeers” edition.
http://www.alldigitalnyc.com drew

just pray MINI is still slick enough to actually offer wood side panels!
O(=^=)O Capn

I vote for russett brown (From Gabe’s link)
kelly

hot coffee
Neil

This is kinda funny. Everyone complains about MINI only using boring BMW-like colors, and then they go and take a risk and everyone just shrugs.
http://www.northamericanmotoring.com Dave

I seem to recall someone starting a campaign for Non-Metallic Brown (NMB) back in August.

That someone even went so far as toÃƒâ€šÃ‚Â mock this image up

Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â

More evidence that MINI reads MotoringFile. ;)
agranger

That mock-up isn’t bad. The greys on the car need to become more chrome-ish, but not bad overall.

I also like the way the silver roof bleeds down the hatch… nice 2-tone effect.
Bill Lawrence

If it was a metallic brown, I would probably complain, but a non-metallic might be pretty cool, especially with a white roof. The Clubman is likely to be my next car, so I am looking forward to seeing it.

Way to go MINI in going somewhat quirky in this color choice. If they can get rid of more hearse-like metallic colors, they will be on the right track.

The more I think about it, the more I can’t wait to see it!
FrankInMiami

That brown mockup with the silver roof looks slick!

Hey, if we don’t have to part with another $400+ for metallic paint, the better. I am liking this chocololatey option more and more.

It reminds me of Velvet Red Metallic, but without the metal flakes and the added charge. Nice!
RudyT

Hmmm… What can brown do for you? :-)
John

Yup, sweet UPS Mini, right down to the silver roof.
http://www.nemini.org PaulGraz

I was thinking UPS truck too – sorry, brown doesn’t do it for me. But I give them credit for trying something different!
ANTSMINI

Nothing like gettin smoked by a MINI turd on the highway. Brown…no thanks.
http://vinreddy.blogspot.com vin.

Zune.
FrankInMiami

My turd is faster than yours. :)
Mini2Go

Yes, many people were complaining about MINI using boring, bland, BMW-like colors. Many people also requested more Non-metallic colors. However, we were also calling for bright, vibrant colors (obviously excepting the NMB campaign).

While this may be a departure from BMW-like and may indeed be “risky” it certainly is not bright or vibrant.

I don’t have particularly high hopes, yet I will reserve judgment until I see it in the flesh. One can only hope that it will look as delicious as a hot cocoa with marshmallows!
Nathaniel Salzman

The way I hear it, brown is the new…uh…brown.
Craig

Just as long as its exhaust doesn’t make the “brown note.”

I’d love to have been a fly on the wall at the meeting where they came up with this idea!
Vanwall

“Brown shoes…don’t make it!” Zappa was right. I was hoping for a non-metallic Turquoise, m’self.

BCNU,

Rob
Mark Smith

Is it “Traveller” or “Clubman?” Can someone answer this for me. It’s driving me nuts not knowing what the hell the name is going to be! I want and vote for Traveller because it really fits what the vehicle will be used for. “Clubman” reminds me of “Tradesman” used on Dodge FUll Size Vans from the 70′s. It really doesn’t fit in my opinion at all. Go brown. “Life is like a box of chocolcates” in the eternal words of Forrest Gump!
Shamus

I could really dig a nice dark chocolate color bordering on black, roof and all, but any form of light milk chocolate brown…uggh! Too UPS.
eager2own

Mark, it’s Clubman. Unfortuantely, many magazine writers are addding to the confussion because they still incorrectly refer to it as the Traveller (a name that had to be dropped for trademark reasons).
Pingback: Has it all gone quiet on the traveller? - MINI2
Steve

Hmmm. Brown with wood siding?? Maybe. But not for me I avoid brown like the plague.
http://www.myminiparts.com Pete

Rolling kaka…just like BMW in the late 70′s-early 80′s. I’ll take mine in any other colour, thank you.
http://dbmini.us DB

It reminds me of Velvet Red Metallic, but without the metal flakes and the added charge. Nice!

I always thought the VR looked more red or purple than brown. For example:
gokartride

Sounds like it’ll be pretty cool color for the Clubman.
http://www.stlmini.com mike

forgive me if this has been posted somewhere before (i can’t find it)…

does anyone know how much longer the clubman is going to be than the first gen coupe?
http://www.motoringfile.com/ Gabe

does anyone know how much longer the clubman is going to be than the first gen coupe?

Your answer lies within: MINI’s Future Models Revealed
ChrisW

Brown is a horrible color for an automobile. Always has been, always will be.
http://www.twistybitz.com/ TWISTYBITZ

VR…. hum it looks nice in that pic and it looked nice up close but that was about it. I personally would never buy a brown car, but to each his own. MINI’s colour choices have sucked the last two years, IMHO.

I’m thinking…. Leu Brown. Thumbs Down!
RedSpider

It’s back to the 70′s when shag carpeting and brown cars were “in” Remember all the metallic chocolate Japanese imports? IT seems to be a color that looks good on the showroom floor, but dates a car after it has been out a while.
lavardera

I remember many chocolate brown Rabbits from the late 70s
05DSMCS

No, MINI, GREEEEEEN!!!! Not Brown……GREEEEEEENNNN!!!! Sheesh, you’re so cruel.
johnsocal

‘Avocado Green’ would be better, but I guess I’ll wait for the new MINI Clubman slogan “What can BROWN do for you” :)
http://miniac.blogspot.com Chrissy

It’s either gonna look really good or really bad. I second the “avocado green” colour… Something a little bit more olive-y than the silk green. So many people love silk green and I can see a colour in the greenish/mint family working really well on the Clubman…
http://atlantaminis.net M. Dillon

…actually,I think that might be a great color. A few years ago,Hersheys’ Candy Bar Company had a contest,in which a few candy bars had the word,”WINNER”,imprinted into the bar(instead of,”Hersheys’”). The finer of said bar could trade it in for a MINI Cooper,that was painted,in a custom,”Hershey Brown”,color.

…if that color is going to be the color for,”Hot Chocolate”;then,that Clubman is going to be one hot-looking ride.
Bud

Perhaps a Hershey Hybrid and/or a Starbucks MINI Moca Latte are in the pipeline? It should be noted that “chocolate” appears to be a prominent theme at CES this year, but unfortunately I did not see any MINIs on display in the auto audio North Hall. Next year I am hopeful that they will reappear along with ASIMO the magnificent Honda engineered humanoid robot. This android is truly amazing!
http://www.fireballed.com Fireball Tim!

Did someone say Chocolate?

Will the Clubman be lickable? Ok, don’t ansfer that…

May just have to do a rendo on this one… he he..
Seth L

I like the sound of this, that Clove Brown in the minicolours link is pretty nifty.
Mark Smith

I like the vehicle but the name Clubman just is terrible. I likey the color though.
Pingback: Le chocolat de Hershey : Une marque populaire de chocolat |
Pingback: MotoringFile » Archive » MINI Clubman Debut Date Set
MQuin

That color combo is clean… I love it!
Richard Luros

BMW will step out of itÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s typical safe color palette.

And, hopefully, into “its” typical safe color palette.

In any event, I look forward to seeing a picture of the new color.

← White Roof Radio #122 White Roof Radio #123 →

Sort by MINI model

Recent BimmerFile Stories

MINI Model Cheat Sheet

1st Gen MINI
R50: One & MC Hatch
R52: All 1st Gen MINI Convt.
R53: MCS Hatch
2nd Gen MINI
R55: Clubman
R56: Hatch
R57: Convertible
R58: Coupe
R59: Roadster
R60: MINI Crossover
R61: MINI Crossover Coupe
3rd Gen MINI
F55: Clubman
F56: Hatch
F57: Convertible
F60: MINI Crossover
F62: Traveller

Advertise with MotoringFile

If you or your company are interested in advertising on the most influential MINI website in the world, please visit our Advertising section. If you have further questions about becoming a sponsor or would like to see our rate sheet please feel free to contact us directly.