Clubman Caught Undisguised at Photoshoot

Sections: R55 (Clubman) Jun 26th, 2007 71 Comments

The website km77.com has managed to catch the new MINI Clubman completely undisguised while doing a photo-shoot for a commercial recently. While almost the entire car had been seen in previous photos over the past year, in these images we finally get to see some of the rear details that have been hidden all this time. Be sure to check them out below:

[ MINI Clubman ] km77.com

Written By: Gabe

Otra

Ooo, I like it quite a bit! Of course, blue is my favorite color of MINI. Great shot. I’m surprised about the two tones on the back but I think it looks pretty good. Thanks so much for this!
Pingback: New Mini Estate Spotted!!! - Page 3 - MINI2
http://www.dickdavid.com dickdavid

I’m really liking the back end. Nice job, MINI.
Eric

I miss the MINI logo door handle on the back doors (like in the early car show prototype photos). :-(
http://www.alldigitalnyc.com drew

absolutely love it.
The Blue Canary

I hope there is an option to NOT have that silver (2nd) color around the back. I just don’t like the way it looks. The rest of the car is fine, but it just takes away from the smooth, if you ask me.
http://www.VaBluesFest.org jyarrow

I just bought an R56 – you can’t bring out this great looking Clubman. I don’t need the temptation. I look forward to seeing more photos and eventually the real thing.
Jon

Have to say looks pretty good, still not a huge fan of the boxy rear end but it does hark back to the Traveler in that regard. The two tone paint job actually does a nice thing to my eye, since the very boxy back end still feel a tad clunky compared to the front end the paint job pulls this design even stronger to my eye, this actually does look better to me. I can say the Mini team did a good job pulling this design forward through time. Although I will never be purchasing one of these I have to say that its for the same reasons why I have turned down multiple classic Travelers.

Can’t wait to see what people do with this after it hits the streets, should be fun to see.
ejkd

I nice addition to the MINI family :)
TomB

It seems the rear bumper is designed specifically for a euro style license plate. I wonder how that will be changed for the US market? I hope they don’t put some tacked on bracket on one of the doors.
http://deleted gmini

Well done!

I am still on the fence about the 2-tone rear facet.

I guess all the model pictured here is missing is the Clubman badge.
http://www.jayomatic.com Jay

Interesting but i’m not sure about that rear end. The taillight cluster looks unfinished. I wonder if thats a detail thats still disguised.
http://www.jwardell.com/mini/ Josh Wardell

Not a fan at all of the roof-colored rear pillars/bumper.
http://byzet.com Ron

I agree with the negative comments on the rear end – it looks odd and unfinished. I’d definitely not want it like that.

I do like the MINI wings logo on the rear – not having it centered looks pretty cool.

I also like that it (apparently) will be badged as a Cooper or Cooper S, making the Clubman kind of a variation of the regualar model (like the cabrio).

Hopefully they are doing something really cool with that extra long roof – some kind of really big panoramic sunroof or something like that.

But I doubt I’d ever convince myself to buy one – I doubt even BMW’s magic will make the heavier longer clubman handle and respond as well as the regular Coopers, and right now that’s what I want from my MINI.
mike

too bad they stuck with the 3rd door. it just ruins the lines on that side of the car. the big expanse of glass is one of my favorite aspects of the classic mini traveller.
Nathaniel Salzman

I must admit, I just LOVE the proportions of the Clubman. Though the external look of the R56 had to grow on me before I liked it, I think the Clubman just looks fantastic from the get go. I’m all about the boxy back end and I even like the two-tone butt grin across the rear – very euro-modern. Can’t wait to see one in person, check out the room inside, and especially see how it drives. The extra few inches of wheel base ought to make it ride very smooth.
http://miniblog.guapacha.com ukplyot

Hmm… when I first saw that picture I thought it was one of those two-tone Toyota mini-SUVs. But I like definitely like it.
VMMVMMM

…meh. Hope it sells well, though.
Crusoe

I would wager if you don’t option (no cost) for two tone body/roof you’ll get a body colored rear. I like it and it could replace my Impreza Wagon if there’s a AWD option.
http://www.motoringfile.com/ Gabe

I would wager if you don’t option (no cost) for two tone body/roof you’ll get a body colored rear.

Yes the Clubman will come with body colored roof just like the Cooper and Cooper S. It’ll also come with an optional black roof as well.
http://www.twistybitz.com/ =:Ã‚Â¬)

Like most of it. Still don’t understand this ugly split rear boot thing going on? I understand it’s harkens back to the day but why would they think two Munchkin size doors look good?

Bad design, bad visibility! What’s wrong with the hatch as we have now? It works well, gets outta the way. My wife and I considered getting rid of her A4 and getting this but she said, while looking as these pics, “UGH, what were they thinking!” My sentiments exactly.

As far as the rest goes… like the multi colour theme and the rest.
Doug

A nice attempt at keeping the MINI design language while making the car bigger. It does strike me as polarizing, though. I guess it’s quirky, which you can’t say often about today’s conservative cars.
Bill Lawrence

I am not a fan of the silver treatment in the back, but it is not a deal breaker either. I hope I can get mine without it.
Steve S

Except for the two-tone rear it looks great!
gokartride

I like it….and I’m sure MINI was just waiting to get my approval!!
marcel

looks great, will be fun building one, then change it a bit more when it arrives :-)
Ken

I spotted a fingers in the back window then realized the camera set up inside. Marketing shoot on the open road.

I will have to drive it to see if It could replace one of our cars.
lavardera

I like the silver – it breaks the chrome waistband and I think that will look odd if it reverts to the black/body color as on the coupe. It will look like the chrome is missing.
Jon

Don’t think any of us should pass judgement on it yet, remember all to well in 02 hearing from many classic owner just how unlikeable the new Mini was to them, given time a huge number of classic owners are now owners of R53 as well. It’s deffinetly not my personal style but having said that dont think that this will have any problems being a good sell for Mini and I am betting once they get out we will see many fanatics doing some cool things with them.

Before passing judgement on the rear side windows (they do appear tiny) I think I will wait till I can drive to car to find out the truth.
Nigel

This car looks absolutely fantastic. The Clubman has the right proportions even a much better looking butt than his obizarre looking R56 brother. Sorry R56 fans, the Clubman will outsell the ugly duckling of the line up a.k.a R56 coupe. It boggles the mind how 2 very different looking cars came out from the same designer(s) and design studio. This just goes to show that the R56 design language fits much better the R55. Hey, even the front end that I loath so much in the R56 I seem to like better in the Clubman.

Job well done, MINI.

So I have already placed my name in the waiting list for a new Clubman come early next year. Thanks for the photos. This confirms I have made the right move. :)
ichor

funny how opinions differ – the split barn doors are the coolest part of the car, imo. i wonder if those who like it perhaps grew up with or at least were aware of the traveller and that heritage, whereas those who don’t, didn’t…

to me it has a familiar feeling, warm and fuzzy.

will it be available with a white roof? or is it silver instead of white?
Nigel

The R55 will have even better ride quality thanks to its longer wheelbase. It will probably handle as good, if not better, than the hatchbacks. Can’t wait to see what MINI has under its sleeves with the JCW options for the R55.
Vanwall

Looks great! Getting better with every little peek. I’m with the Blue Canary – hope there are options about the rear window post area, too. Amazing how that early pic from AutoBild was almost dead-on – no accident, I’m sure.
Nigel

ichor, I agree, The rear barn doors are unique in the segment and are a nod to history. Quirky touches, sort of speak, that will make this car stand out from the rest. The R55 is not for everyone, but if you have a good eye for design and overall proportions, the Clubman total beats out the R56 hatchbacks in this regard. I dislike the “puffed” out and generally bloated looks of the R56, especially from the sides and the rear. You just don’t see these wierd touches in the R55. Heck, even this car does not have the pronounced 4WD stance of the R56.

I was losing faith in Gert Hildebrand as the head designer for MINI. It seems my respects for the man are slowly being restored by these R55 shots. He is no Frank Stephenson but may be, just may be he deserves the place where he is today.

-Nigel
Nigel

If you order either a white or black roof, will you get color matched treatment in the C-pillars and top of rear bumper?

I was never a fan of the Silver roofs introduced in ’06, but man does it look good in the R55. :) :)
Alan Smithee

I can see this thing is going to polarize opinions (not unlike most of BMW’s products lately).

Love the R56; would never even think of considering the R55. All three of the rear doors are awkward, as are all of the small pieces of side and rear glass, the double wipers, big rear handles, four separate taillights, and contrasting color. If I needed more practicality in a small, fun-to-drive package, it would be a GTI over the Clubman without hesitation.
Nigel

Wait til’you see it in person…

:)
http://www.mini2.info Axel (bigagsl)

i am delighted! the proportion of the clubman is much better than the r56 bodywork. for all “hot chocolate” lovers, there’s a beautiful photoshop work of the pic shown above made by a mini2.info user: heisse schokolade
Scott

I like it! The wife is planning on getting one when they come out. I can’t hardy wait!
Jon

Lol my ugly duckling that will walk away from your ugly duckling inspired station wagon Nigel ;>. The funny part is the “ugly duckling” you commented about is the exact same 1/2 of the car you love lol.

Don’t get me wrong, I do like the Clubman despite is extra mass, just have no personal use of this vehicle. Do look forward to seeing what people do with it though.
TSizemore3

I hate to say it, but I think I like the looks of the rear of the Clubman better than the looks of the ’07 MINI. I didn’t care for the more pronounced step on the “hip” around the rear end on the new Cooper. Maybe it’s the blue color…
j

yes, but, WILL IT WORK WITH MY iPHONE?!! :p
Jon

Thats what makes Mini’s so much fun, to each their own. To my eye the “hip” line is the same between the 07 and the clubman.
MQuin

man, that looks sweet. Each angle just looks differnet. Some are eh and some are ooh!
MSCLBMN

The finished product is everything I hoped for and more! The two-tone finish on the rear and the barn doors make the Clubman unlike anything else on the road today (with a uniqueness only rivaled by the R56–of course–and maybe Toyota’s FJ Cruiser). Imagine the exclusive 5-spoke wheels on the R55 in the photos and you are seeing my MINI after another 25,000 miles on my current vehicle. Those miles cannot go by quickly enough! Great job, MINI!
ddmini

I want it now! We have been planning on getting one anyway but the pictures are just icing on the cake!
usaaus

I’m loving it, even the back, and the dual exhausts, can’t wait
http://hpudrew.gomotoring.com HPUdrew

Did anyone else notice how much wider the track is for the rear wheels? Looks like the rear quarter panels have a very defined bulge to push the rear wheels out wider than on the R56. I’m sure this is to increase rear seat and cargo room, but it could have a down side. By having the rear wheels out further it can actually cause the car to plow more through corners and might add a lot of understeer. I’m sure MINI has already thought of this, but just thought it was worth discussing.

Drew
Billy

will it be available with a white roof? or is it silver instead of white?

The white roof has been left out of all Clubman colour combinations, but yes, silver is available. If you chose a silver or black roof the C-pillar and top edge of the bumper WILL be coloured to match. – I’ve stressed this before!!

My favourite colour combo is Nightfire Red/Black.

There was a Clubman buzzing around the plant today in this colour combination being filmed by a two – man german film crew….I might even make a cameo appearance lol.
Nigel

Hey Billy, I think I will heed your recommendation of Nightfire Red/Black roof. I think that combo will look the business!

Any other recommendations in terms of wheel size/design and interior trim options?

← MINI United Photos (Day 3) MINI United Interview: Gert Hildebrand →

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.