MINI Clubman Debuts at the Oxford Plant

Sections: R55 (Clubman) Apr 27th, 2007 58 Comments

MotoringFile Exclusive: The presentation of the 2008 Clubman, hosted by Plant Oxford Director Oliver Zipse, took place today and we have first-hand account from one of our always reliable sources.

Approx 3000 associates were crammed into a small room in a place known as ‘T -Building’ on site, at just before 1pm. When we were assembled Mr. Zipse began! All the usual “Good afternoon, for those of you who don’t know me, I am the new plant director….” etc took place first – nothing at all exciting.

The 1,000,000th Mini took the stage to Oliver’s left, whilst a large printed sheet (with an image of a bank vault door) hung down from the industrial looking stainless steel tubular fame to Mr Zipse’s right. After a short, speech about expected production volumes for the current year and how the Clubman would play a vital role in those projected figures, the vault was opened! The sheet dropped to reveal a Lightning Blue/Silver Roof/Silver C-pillar upper and lower AND the top section of the rear bumper, Mini Clubman! – With the new 17″ alloy wheels (as pictured in the official Clubman sketch seen on MotoringFile a while back).

After the big reveal we were given an insight into the whole process of the design of the ’55 and how the idea of a Clubman model harked back for years – the first CAD models were ‘penned’ with the R50 wheelbase in mind. Initial ideas were to just simply stretch the R50 chassis. Another idea was again to stretch it BUT to add a split folding tailgate ala BMW X5 at the rear – until the german designers finally decided on the model we know now. For the last couple of years designers have hand built clay, wood and foam models of the R55, purely to fettle door shuts etc. In fact the CAD, clay and foam full size models of the clubman were built BEFORE the clubman concepts that were seen at the various motor shows throughout 2006. I have some official measurements – the wheelbase is 80mm longer, and the rear overhang is 120mm larger.

MotoringFile also got an OFFICAL MENTION during the presentation – I was completely taken by surprise. There was a powerpoint presentation throughout the ‘show’ and one slide was of quotes taken from MotoringFile and Mini2! I was absolutely amazed! Quotes included were “A Mini Clubman – talk about the ultimate anti SUV buster!”

I can only imagine the MINI marketing exec and R55 designer justifying their decision to build a shooting brake model BASED ON COMMENTS posted on MotoringFile.

One thing I must mention is that Mini are purposely NOT aiming the Clubman at ‘Small Families’. The scale of customers will range from:

Single

Single on short holiday

Single with friends

Single but actively sporty e.g windsurfer with medium sized equipment.

Expect the official public debut the Clubman to take place at the Frankfurt Motor Show this September with the official photo release happening several weeks before. As mentioned previously on MF, the Clubman will launch with several unique exterior and interior colors. On the outside expect to see:

Hot Chocolate = Medium Brown metallic.
Java Grey = Light Greenish Silver – Darker than Silk Green from the R50.
Sandglow Gold = Replacement for Solid Gold – light gold/yellow metallic.

Inside we’ll see several unique seating options as well as new trim.

A huge thanks to a special source that made this report possible. We’ll have more MINI Clubman information (including probable US pricing) next week.

Related:

[ Clubman Update and Official Sketch ] MotoringFile

Written By: Gabe

Pingback: » MINI Clubman vai ser apresentado no SalÃƒÂ£o de Frankfurt em setembro- Carros, Noticias, Automovel, Lancamentos, Fotos, Novidades, Testes, Segredo
http://www.worldtraveltips.net/ James

A C-pillar is the vertical member that supports the roof from the body and separates different sections of glass.

For example, the a pillar is between the side of the front windshield and the front driver’s side (or pasenger’s side) window, the b pillar between the front driver’s side window and the rear driver’s side window, and the c pillar between the rear driver’s side window and the rear windshield.

The Minis have b and c pillars that are relatively close, so by looking at an average sedan it may be easier to see those pillars.

James….
http://www.myspace.com/mnigrl MNIGRL

Hey GadgetGav … Just to clarify in respect to your query about the colour coding of the C Pillar/Rear Tailgate of the R55 Clubman – For example should you order Hot Chocolate with a Silver Roof & Mirrors the Silver Would extend down the rear C pillar & Tailgate. This is the global format for colour coding as I understand it.

Lets MINI
jim

Read this on GermanCarZone – Seems Scott27 works for BMW Marketing in Munich, eyerything he confirms has come to truth so I guess we should listen…

“Ohayo gozaimasu or Good morning…

It’s just after 7am in Tokyo just about to head for breakfast and then into the conference room where we plan our strategy for the MINI Clubman shoot in downtown Tokyo. We also have an night shoot tonight as we aim to capture the energy and vitality of the new addition to the MINI brand – The MINI Clubman.

I actually had a drive last night and for an extended MINI it is incredibly agile – The rear door and side door are works of art in quality , ease of use and the rear has surprisingly good legroom compared to the regular MINI (and with optional sliding- Roof) It is also very panoramic and rear passengers are less likely to have a panic attack than in the MINI hatch. – Would be MINI owners are going to make a bee-line for this car – It’s the MINI made for non MINI owners.

Why Japan? Besides the fantastic food and nightlife and interesting culture – Tokyo fits in with the metropolitian approach and the designation lifestyle of the MINI brand. I have loved Tokyo ever since I saw “Akira” The Clubman is extending the ideals of MINI as a lifestyle rather than just a product. We made that decision with the first MINI to approach MINI as a lifestyle rather than just a car which turned out to be very successful indeed.

MINI is and will always be a “young Brand” even though it is a product Which appeals to all ages. The Clubman shoot is all about the energy MINI is all about. The campaign will be very visual with an urban feel with a thumping soundtrack and what better City to showcase this in than the neon fairground of Tokyo.

Sayonara .”
http://miniac.blogspot.com Chrissy

MQuiN:

The A-pillars are on either side of the windshield attached to the glass at the front corners of the car. The B-pillars are in between the driver and behind-the-driver passenger window where the seat belt attaches. The C-pillars are at the back corners of the car. In the MINI, they are hidden with the wrap around glass in the 02-06 models. In 2007, the c-pillars are shiny black joining the rear passenger and boot windows.
Aussom

Hmmm. If “Mini are purposely NOT aiming the Clubman at Ã¢â‚¬ËœSmall FamiliesÃ¢â‚¬â„¢” and possibly recommend purchasing another BMW for the family, I’ll stick to my R53 Cooper S and the family’s 4wd for the meantime. I suspect that the price will be at a premium and close to BMW’s current model range, which are very high (BMWs typically attrract high luxury car tax charges) on the Australian market given the current range of 4wds available in Australia for the money.

My wife and I were interested in changing the 4wd over to the Clubman, but given MINIs indication above, now don’t look like we will be selling the 4WD in a hurry for the near future until seeing what price the Clubman hits the streets at and whether its features and functionality justify the upgrade. Maybe existing familise with R50 & R53 models will consider upgrading to the Clubman down the track given potential extra practicality / functionality on the current model range?

It will be interesting to see how aggresively BMW has set their sales targets and whether MINI Clubman will get them over the line in meeting it.
jimmy

New MINI Clubman shoot in Manhattan tonight – according to GCZ…
Dave

I’m waiting for the convertible Clubman. I need a small family car with cool written on it. The Mini has been the first decent small car I have ever driven. Most Americans have two cars, one is the utility SUV and the second car must be small, but still family capable. A convertible Clubman could fit the bill. Besides, it will tow nicely behind the motorhome.

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