MINI Officially Claims the Clubman Name
Official MINI Press Release: Today at the International Automobile Salon in Geneva, MINI has announced that the next derivative in its model range will be called MINI Clubman. Based on a concept first shown in Frankfurt in 2005, a ‘Shooting Brake’ body-styled car will be on sale in the UK before the end of 2007.
The new car promises to be distinctive, yet authentically embody the MINI character. Offering more versatility without compromising the revered chassis of current Hatch models, the production version of the car is further evidence of MINI’s aim to break boundaries in car design.
Historically, ‘Shooting Brake’ models are so-called due to a combination of premium two-door styling, with added interior flexibility for owners leading active lifestyles. The new car takes inspiration and styling cues from the Morris Mini Traveller, which experienced widespread success between 1960-69.
MF Analysis: This news should come as little surprise to most MotoringFile readers. While many in the automotive press were fixated on the Traveller name, our sources had long held that the decision had been made to go with Clubman due to a number of legal and marketing reasons. Today, it becomes official.
Related:
[ MINI Names the R55: The Clubman ] MotoringFile
[ MINI Renames the Traveller ] MotoringFile
I look forward to test driving this baby.
i’ve sat in one.
i predict a runaway success.
it embodies the r56 vibe in a the best possible way – at least in my opinion.
Now if MINI/BMW would only put the new DSG automatically-shifted manual trans that Getrag is building into the Clubman instead of that Aisin PoS….
Ohhh! Clubman! Very nice name! I am excited about this new addition to the MINI lineup! 🙂
I do wish that it was a true 4-door because I work at MINI and I have so many clients coming in saying that they want a 4-door MINI so it’s easier to handle young kids and older family members getting in and out. It’s just 2.5 doors right? And then the barn doors at the back?
<blockquote>i’ve sat in one.
i predict a runaway success.
it embodies the r56 vibe in a the best possible way – at least in my opinion.</blockquote>
thats some of the best news we’ve heard yet. i can’t wait to see them in final production trim.
Wish it was Traveller.
Vanwall I concur. I’ve been saying that fromt he beginning. I am not a fan of “Clubman.”
I wish they’d call it the Wagonero
family truckster was taken
I’ll call mine Traveler. 😉
Ha Ha!!! Dave wins.
The Wagonero would have been hysterical.
I love the theme song for the Canyonero.
All hail the mighty Simpsons!
Hopefully it will be a bit better built than the Canyonero! lol..
Simpsons are brill!
It looks like it probably won’t be called either Traveller or Clubman in Australia as a quick trademark search reveals that Mazda Australia already owns both those trademarks. And please god don’t call it Shooting Brake here 🙁
Hey Crashton I agree with you.
I gonna name mine after Robert E. Lee’s horse…Traveller! Let’s hope Traveller will be available with all wheel drive.
Comes with its own line of haircare products, too. 🙂
<a href="http://www.clubmanonline.com/" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.clubmanonline.com/</a>
Drew, did you sit in a production version of the Clubman? Why do you think it will be a runaway success???
if only we had a launch date – i appreciate that they are still in the launch phase of the R56, globaly, but just to know – help me plan getting the cooper D version.
Hoping I can replace my Scion xB with the Clubman. The latest spy shots look good, but, as always the true test will be seeing and driving it firsthand. Next February seems a long way off, though, at this point. I don’t care what MINI names it. You can always debadge.