New MINI Clubman Spy Photos

Matt Jan 12th, 2007 Link

Hmmm, might have to delay the purchase of an R56 to get a 1st gen MCS Clubman

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FrankInMiami Jan 12th, 2007 Link

Looking good. Can’t to see a final production version painted in Hot Chocolate.

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FrankInMiami Jan 12th, 2007 Link

Can 3 people seat in the back? Can’t really tell from the photos.

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lavardera Jan 12th, 2007 Link

They did not explain the photos clearly, but therre are two different cars in those photos – one with 17″ s-spokes and the plate on the door, and the other with 15s and the plate on the bumper.

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Timmee Jan 12th, 2007 Link

what colour are these cars? is that hot chocolate in the photos? Note the wheel arch reflectors.

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mnicpt Jan 12th, 2007 Link

I want the concept version. Anybody know if MINI sells them? I hope they at least do the grille.

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Gabe Jan 12th, 2007 Link

Can 3 people seat in the back? Can’t really tell from the photos.

Your answer: motoringfile.com/2006/12/04/minis-future-models-revealed

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BRGCooper Jan 12th, 2007 Link

Finally!

A hearse for Munchkins and Ompah-Loompas. A long ignored market gets some attention.

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Scottinbend Jan 12th, 2007 Link

I would guess that it will only have real seating for 2 in the back. The photo’s only show 2 rear headrests.

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TWISTYBITZ Jan 12th, 2007 Link

Those are the most LAMEASS boot doors I have EVER seen, ever! Are they kidding with that? I really don’t understand the thinking there did BMW allow some janitor to sneak in a redesign an already fine design? What was wrong with the boot door already in place? The visibility out that mess must be stupidly bad. Couldn’t give me one with that set up.

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Mark H Jan 12th, 2007 Link

Not sure how they get a 3 row in the back unless the new clubman is wider than the standard mini? I do like the idea of an extended load bay though as travelling with 4 plus lugage has always been a problem for the standard mini – infact in my old S I do not think the rear seats were ever up!

What I do like about the new clubman is that I am sure some folk will produce cool modified versions! Maybe even a clubman GP sytle machine with only two seats – Z4 coupe watch out!

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VMMVMMM Jan 12th, 2007 Link

I find it hard to believe that the car will seat 5. My prediction is that this will actually not be the case.

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Vanwall Jan 12th, 2007 Link

Seats 4-1/2. ;-) Looks better and better. Go barn doors!

BCNU,

Rob in Dago

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lavardera Jan 12th, 2007 Link

4 vs 5 – if the wheels are far enough back that the don’t intrude on the rear seats then the rear bench will be wider. My old Integra was only a few inches wider than the mini, and took 3 in the back.

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scott a Jan 12th, 2007 Link

I think the Clubman concept is pointless, and if they go too far away from what a MINI was meant to be, they’re in danger of losing the niche that made them successful.

What’s next … an extended cab MINI pickup truck, or delivery van, or how about a double decker bus? Gag.

ps – nice colors, though.

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Crusoe Jan 12th, 2007 Link

Agree the rear doors are an odd implementation. My only guess they didn’t go hatchback because of roof rack options or they are targeting surfers? One curbside opening rear door would have been great, then we could mount a widescreen tv ad do some serious tailgating :)

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GZ Jan 12th, 2007 Link

What’s next, a Mini van?

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Scarlett O'MINI Jan 12th, 2007 Link

Fugly. And too big. MINI’s should stay mini.

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mark pierce Jan 12th, 2007 Link

What’s next … an extended cab MINI pickup truck, or delivery van, or how about a double decker bus? Gag.

Well they have in the past had Mini pickups and vans, so they are not going away from what a Mini used to be.

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mark pierce Jan 12th, 2007 Link

Fugly. And too big. MINI’s should stay mini.

Isn’t that what people where saying about the new MINI when came out 5 1/2 years ago!

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Mike Jan 12th, 2007 Link

It just doesn’t seem right to me…

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marcel Jan 13th, 2007 Link

I like the idea of the Clubman but I’m not sure about the execution; the higher roof looks odd to me and I don’t think those barn doors are worth the trouble (and added expense) in such a small car. Then again, this may look better in real life (like the GP).

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TWISTYBITZ Jan 13th, 2007 Link

My 1997 4Runner had a rear door that swung up and I used to put my surfboard ( 7′2″), ladders and so, on the rack. I guess a QE2 might be trouble. The barn door was a cute thing back when the technology and materials were limited but now itsa joke. Just look at it itsa joke!

Mark Pierce… maybe some of these folks here could use a little Googling for back checking on the Mini’s history………………………………………..

1960 — 1969 Production of Morris Minivan

1960 — 1967 Production of Morris Mini-Traveller Mk1

1961 — 1969 Production of Austin Mini Pick-up, Morris Mini Pick-up

1969 — 1983 Production of Mini Van and Mini Pick-up

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GrFa Jan 13th, 2007 Link

After two r53 Cooper S’s I would be first in life for an 08 Cooper Clubman. It is still very MINI and I believ the originals had barndoors too.

My parents Yukon has barndoors which makes loading easier at the expense of rearward visibility. I think it looks cool and functional.

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lavardera Jan 13th, 2007 Link

whooo boy. I see it coming. All us 07 buyers thought we caught smack from people with R56 denial. Its going to look like a cakewalk..

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Gabe Jan 13th, 2007 Link

“Fugly. And too big. MINI’s should stay mini.”

“Isn’t that what people where saying about the new MINI when came out 5 1/2 years ago!”

Yeah I heard the same thing said for the R50, R56 and now the R55. In fact every single thing MINI has ever released (including the 2002 Cooper S) has had tons of critism initially from random voices on the web. Yet every vehicle that has been released has eventually been met with incredible success both in terms of sales and enthusiast’s reverence. I expect nothing less with the R55. In fact I expect the R55 to be a surprisingly strong seller – especially in the US.

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lavardera Jan 13th, 2007 Link

I see a market for a fiberglass R53 “replicar” coming up. Any investors?

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Aussom Jan 14th, 2007 Link

Can an adult actually fit through the suicide door opening?

Assuming that the back seats can be folded down like in the current MINIs? Would like to see the boot depression removed (or an in-fill product available) to make the rear luggage space completely flat.

I also wonder what the final weight is expected to be for the R55. For a full load of people (presumably 5 adults?) and/or luggage in the boot / roof, I’d go for the MCS model as minimum spec for a reasonable power-to-weight ratio fo those hilly getaways. Maybe MINI can turn up the boost for more power for this model?

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Doug Jan 14th, 2007 Link

Aussom, Suicide door cannot be opened unless the front door is opened as well. So it is actually there to make the existing entry larger.

Gabe, All this talk reminds me of the Garth’s line in Wayne’s World – “We FEAR change…”

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Lex low Jan 14th, 2007 Link

YUK!!!!!

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rhawth99 Jan 14th, 2007 Link

Not bad, I’ll wait until the final product appears before making a final judgement. I’m sure they’ll sell like hotcakes.

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MotoringFile » Archive » MINI Clubman Debut Date Set Jan 23rd, 2007 Link

[...] For those who may have missed them a few weeks back, you can check out new Clubman spyshots from our friends at Leftlanenews. [...]

MINI.NEWS : New MINI Clubman Spy Photos Oct 8th, 2007 Link

[...] MotoringFile: Leftlane News have posted some spy picsMotoringFile writes: Key elements include: 1) Rear [...]