Since several sites on the web have now published full galleries, we’ve decided to finally follow suit. Once the press embargo has been officially lifted this weekend, we’ll have the full press release as well.
For super hi-res just click on the “photo link” that comes up as you roll-over the thumbnails. That will take you to our Flickr site where you can click on the “all sizes” button and see each image in all their 3158 x 2332 glory.
I love. This might finally be my first MINI.
Nice gallery.
WOW!!!!! Looks Great. I really like the blue. I’ll have to see how it looks with a black roof, as I don’t particularly care for the silver down the back. I can definitely see this being my next MINI!!
LOVE. THIS. CAR.
This is Madrid! 😀 Near my house!!
Mmmm, it doesn’t do anything for me, looks weird, a lá Pontiac Aztec weird. I still does not understand its reason of being. I own an R56 MCS and I like the convertible but this one? Please somebody help me!!
Gabe – do you know if the Clubman will have a “real” roof rack mounting option? Doesn’t look like it…
Miamijag, I don’t like or “get”the R56, but much prefer the R55 to it. I guess different strokes for different folks…
Seems those black vertical bars in the rear window were in fact camo. Whew. The third photo looks a bit like a disclosure image, though. Like “Notice the door only on one side, attached by a seatbelt.” The contrasting roof running down the back does keep the visual proportions nice. Doesn’t look as stretched out as it would if the main body color ran all the way back and wrapped around the rear. The double doors look very unique, especially in this class, but I don’t think I’d want to operate them in a downpour. My only complaint about the styling is that I think the rear lights need some trim. They look aftermarket, like someone put on a rear body kit in primer grey and the holes for the lights weren’t big enough.
so where’s the hot chocolate? i thought that would be the signature color for the release.
I’m with you brad. I just asked the same question in another post. So what gives?
Looks too much like it wans designed as a delivery truck for grocery stores or english mail men.
I think the should have given it a new front end look along with the rear.
>so where’s the hot chocolate? i thought that would be the signature color for the release.
Initial photos are often different from the “featured color” you’ll see in a lot of advertisements down the road. Or it could be that the marketing folks nixed the idea and will downplay the H/C combo.
So this is just the UK release? The Mini USA site doesn’t have it yet?
Undoubtedly will be one of the uglier cars on the road. I love the lines on my 1st gen MCS, but this is just ugly with terrible proportions.
Thrown the JCW aero kit front bumper on it, drop it, and add the JCW stage 2 kit. 🙂
I received an email from MINI Canada this morning to check out the Clubman. Seems to me the embargo has been lifted already…at least in Canada.
I take my previous comment back. The note tells me to check out MINI’s international and other European sites. It’s tomorrow there already.
I really dont think this is going to sell very well for mini. The longer body just doesnt look good with the lines of the R56. It really reminds me of a [Volvo XC70 station wagon.](<a href="http://www.fawcettsgarage.co.uk/Images/NewCars/XC70/large2.jpg" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.fawcettsgarage.co.uk/Images/NewCars/XC70/large2.jpg</a>)
It is not yet “tomorrow” in Europe. From the Eastern standard time zone. the UK is 5 hours ahead and mainland Europe 6 hours. So at the time of this posting, the local time in the UK is 8:51PM and mainland Europe 9:51PM, Friday July 27th, 2007.
Our Euro friends are getting ready to have dinner or head out for the night….
Dave, I disagree. Based on “unscientific responses” here and in other MINI ‘net venues, the Clubman seems to be gathering more initial positive responses than the R56 did pre-launch.
I think the R55 will be a surprinsingly strong seller for the MINI brand.
The R55 looks much better proportionated than the R56 Coupe, IMHO.
I like it! Those back doors are crazy! Looks better than the original Clubman vs the classic Mini. The exhaust is cool, too.
Dave – what are you smoking? 😉 Looks nothing like that awful photo you posted of that UGLY (and dirty) Volvo.
The Clubman looks fantastic. When you have a family, spending 30+k on a new car just for yourself is tough. This size works. I assume the JCW engine upgrade and suspension will be available for this as for any MCS?
So, I think the Pontiac Aztek comment was a little stupid, but I’m just not digging this car. I’m glad there are others that like it, and maybe I’ll change my mind when I see it in person, but it really doesn’t work for me all that well
Nigel, I couldn’t agree more, some people don’t like the R56 and some will not like the R55 but there are somethings that I do not comprehend, like for example, the Cayenne (argh!), it is a big seller for Porsche but does it fit with their core philosophy or are they cashing on the brand to enter the SUV market? I see the Clubman in that same niche. If MINI was coming up with a roadster or another GP I would make sense (to me).
But if this helps to bring a roadster type MINI, I would gladly look the other way when I get a glance of an R55 coming my way. Just kidding and, let the controversy begin in all the bars along “which color is faster red or black?”.
Red of course, right Gabe?
This is the first MINI i can truly say is UGLY!!! Taking a bunch of glamor photos with smiling cool guys on city streets does not a good car make!
I think it looks odd, and not in a good way. The back end, in particular, looks like a rough draft: too-big door handles, badges where they don’t belong, two wipers, silver pillars…it ain’t working for me. From the side it looks like an aftermarket stretch job. Maybe it will work better in person, as the R56 did for me.
wanna see the black roof with the rear doors closed before deciding on which colour combo will be best. also will single colour with no contrast be available?
have to agree with several other posters that seems a more coherent design than the r56
I like it. PS/BK JCW stage 2 and a tow package. Sign me up. The teardrop trailer never had it so good.
I like all but the Rump on this thing. Poor visibility, who needs dos wipers on such a small car? It’s gonna look like the Spruce Goose on take off. Old school or not it makes no sense.
I really want to like it, but it is just a little too funky for me. This just feels like a design exercise, and a bad one at that. I understand why they wanted to differentiate this car from the R56, and pay tribute to the past with those rear doors, but I would have really just preferred a practical, symmetrical, utilitarian, extended wheelbase vehicle with four proper doors and a hatch. Build that car and I would doubt that you would get a polarizing effect from the design. Toss in an AWD option and you would, in my opinion, have the perfect car. I’ll wait to see what future variants bring. Perhaps the proposed new model will truly satisfy the needs of those needing a little more room. I hope I can change my opinion about the Clubman when I see it in person. My prediction: a smash hit in other parts of the world and a fizzle in the states.
The more I look, the more I like…I can see this replacing my R50.
Looks like nice deep storage pockets in those back doors. I think this is a great Mini – can’t wait to see them on the road.
All of this better than/worse than R56/R55 stuff is such incredible horse sh-t. If you only like one or the other, good for you. I’m happy for the people that like this new Mini whether or not its the one for me.
Maybe perhaps you are less tolerant to those that don’t like the new MINIs?
Gabe – is there a color list available yet?
I like it! Gimme a stage 1 JCW kit for it too =)
with AWD this could be with me on my next trip to killington
I am sure this will be “loved” by the MINI community eventually. If you have been following this site for a while, you would remember that people “hated” R56 wholeheartedly until Gabe said that he was buying one and followed that with the pictures of his new gorgeous R56. Now everyone wants one 🙂 I guess, MINI should sell/loan one to Gabe first, and let him “introduce” it to the enthusiasts slooooowly.
The Clubman looks good. It is great to see that there will be more options for more people when they walk into the showroom (or go to the web configurator). It is good for the viability of the brand, despite the fact that most people will say “NO” to anything that is different than the one in their driveway.
Congrats to MINI. Looking forward to more variants in the future!
I like it, I just wish they had allocated a few more of those extra inches to rear seat legroom. It sill looks like it may be a bit tight back there. I don’t understand the harsh criticism from the armchair designers. Looks like a MINI to me, most likely my next MINI 🙂
so far it looks like the R56 lovers hate it and the R53 lovers like it … hmm
I’m sorry but I think this is the end of the road for me as the R53, which I currently own, was the first and will also be the last MINI I buy. The R56’s headlights look awful and the overall body is bulky. It doesn’t have the charm that the R53 has.
The Clubman looks even worse especially from behind. The extra line down created by the suicide door just doesn’t integrate well with the car. Also, it looks too much like a station wagon.
Extremely disappointed with BWM. Also, the pedestrian law in Europe totally ruined the R56 for me.
Ah, change…why do we hate it so?
There are elements of all MINIs that I simply cannot stand. It sure as heck didn’t stop me obsessing over the R50/53 since before it was released. It didn’t stop me from finally ordering an R56. It certainly won’t stop me from liking the Clubman too.
We can all pick apart these cars until there’s nothing left, but it still won’t make this car change one bit from the pictures we’re all talking about. There’s simply too much time and money invested to do anything different at this point.
Take a moment to appreciate something new…different to be sure, but not nearly as bad as some of you are making it out to be.
I for one hate/love it..and so should you.
My dogs are gonna love me!
I agree that comparisons between the R55 and R50 / R53 / R56 is somewhat irrelevant because it is a different vehicle type to the hatchbacks. The Clubman appears to be in its own league and I suppose (like the PT Cruiser), you either love it or not, however given time it may grow on a lot of people once you see them on the roads, up close and personal.
I love what I see and the next step will be a visit to MINI and a test drive if/when it’s officially launched in Australia. If it’s what I like, the biggest decision I face is financial – whether to purchase it as a second vehicle, or give up my 2002 R50 MCS. I imagine I’m not alone and that there are many existing MINI owners who love the Clubman that will be in this predicament(!)
A couple of things from the specs posted on the Euro website:
– Specs say roof load limit is 75kg (165lbs) so I would guess a roof rack option exists. Probably the current setup/rack.
– [not from specs] Also, it looks like both Cooper and S will have backup warning systems (optional?). They are shown in both models in the photos. With the small rear windows and the extended length, they would be well worth it!
– Specs also state that a body-color roof with contrasting c-pillar is available. I would guess that would be body color on the rear doors and bumper as well.
Theo
I’m always amused by the intensity of MINI owners’ reactions. I’m waiting to see it; it might not be something I’d buy. But it adds some variety to the MINI line, and makes my good ole ’03 DS/BL MCS a little “different”!
I find the hostility by some rather distasteful. We all have a right to our opinions. It’s just a car, we’re not discussing global warming. Let’s just have an intelligent debate and enjoy our differences.
>Gabe – is there a color list available yet?
Yup, go to your dealer and imagine the current color list (broken down by model) with Hot Chocolate added to those Cooper only colors – and that’s it.
btw I think this may be the post of the month (From Shamus). It’s worth reading again:
>Ah, change…why do we hate it so?
>There are elements of all MINIs that I simply cannot stand. It sure as heck didn’t stop me obsessing over the R50/53 since before it was released. It didn’t stop me from finally ordering an R56. It certainly won’t stop me from liking the Clubman too.
>We can all pick apart these cars until there’s nothing left, but it still won’t make this car change one bit from the pictures we’re all talking about. There’s simply too much time and money invested to do anything different at this point.
>Take a moment to appreciate something new…different to be sure, but not nearly as bad as some of you are making it out to be.
>I for one hate/love it..and so should you.
Just bad design.
Both my wife and I love the looks of the Clubman (we each own an R53). Can’t wait to see pictures of all the available exterior colors! So far the hot chocolate leaves me cold but that’s why there are so many other colors to pick from. I think the Clubman will be a big hit here in the US.
I second the vote on that being the message of the month Gabe!
What everybody seems to forget is this was the same general reaction when the new Mini came about. More than a few classic owners activly hated the car, despite this the R50/R53 won a great deal of people over. When the R56 came out I hear the same things from a number of R50/R53 owners that I herd from the classic owners. Given a while we will see more and more people going nuts over the new car. Think the moral of the story is that generally people don’t like change, although change is a normal process. Love whichever car you want guys, be it a R53, R56, or a Clubman, I personally have to wait till I see cars in person to really start falling in love with them. This was the case for the R50, R56 and no doubt for the Clubman.
Now have to take my own advice about the Mini crossover lol.
I think a Nightfire Red/Black Clubman would be spectacular. We will be getting one just as soon as they start doing custom configurations!
I like it but the pictures make it look like it can only accommodate four people. I thought I remembered reading here (or maybe it was elsewhere) that the Clubman was going to seat 5. With three kids, that’s a deal breaker for me when it comes time to replace the minivan.
Am I missing something?
Jon, sorry to contradict but it isn’t the same. The Classic Mini owner crowd hated the new BMW MINI for a plethora of reasons that had to do diddly squat with the new car and they actually transfered their hatred for the car onto its owners. Just ask Randy Webb how he was stripped of an autocross win just because of the car he was driving at the time ’02 R53 S.
You simply can not compare that recalcitrant classic Mini crowd with the current crop of R53 owners who simply don’t like the new R56 for whatever reasons. Big difference here my friend is that some of us do not transfer the hate onto its owners. I embrace owners of the R56 and I have a couple of close friends that own or are considering to own a new 56.
Please Jon, do me a big favor and do not compare the R56 critics with those haters from the classic Mini community.
Not my cup of tea, however, makes pleanty of sense for those who want a mini but need some extra space. Furthermore it reflects Mini tradition of the 60’s. I saw a similar “classic” Mini today at a British car show with the barndoors. What’s to hate?
I’m going to have to see what it looks like with a chrome trim package and try out the door in person, but it’s actually pretty cool to be able to drive to a car dealer and actually be very interested in two distinct models. I would be happy in either this or the r56, so that’s got to make MINI dealers happy.
“I thought I remembered reading here (or maybe it was elsewhere) that the Clubman was going to seat 5″… “Am I missing something?”
It’ll only fit 2 american kids in the back… ; )
I’m with Greg on the fact that it fits the bill for people who need more space, especially with kids. I love the current line up, but it doesn’t make sense with a 2 year old, trying to get him in and out of the car without a back door. This car fits that need with that suicide door. Hurray for Mini for helping parents stay somewhat cool!
Actually Nigel I do understand where your coming from. However the feeling is always the same. The funny part is a majority of the reason is the same however, both are groups that completely believe that their own much loved cars are the high point of the design process. I kinda look at this from the opposite view, when I hear a person detracting from a “new” car more often than not its because they love their current car so much. It was the same feeling with the classic owners as it is with the hesitant R53 owners.
Still I can say that non of this matters, the Clubman is coming out as is, and it will find a home in a lot of garages.
I love change.
gabe, why they make the roof soooo thick????? That looks butt ugly, don’t you agree?
>gabe, why they make the roof soooo thick????? That looks butt ugly, don’t you agree?
For structural reinforcement. And no I think it looks just fine.
I think the worst angle on this car is the rear quarter view. The back end just looks out of proportion and too busy. I will reserve final judgment until I can see the car in person. Hopefully, the dealer will have one without the contrasting C pillar.
I think they’ve done a great job, the only thing I’d change is the silver highlights on the back and black out the c pillar so that the roof is “floating” like on the coupe.
A monotone clubman on 18’s with the above enhancements will be a very cool car
<blockquote>For structural reinforcement. And no I think it looks just fine.</blockquote>
then why doesn’t the roof look like that on the mcs?
>then why doesn’t the roof look like that on the mcs?
I would have thought it was obvious. Because the MCS doesn’t have a missing b-pilar.
Hmmm.. I’ve been waiting to see the photos… looks like there will be a Volvo c30 instead in my future! Don’t like the rear of the c30.. but I still prefer it to the Clubman rear…