The Clubman Caught in the Wild

rhawth99 Aug 22nd, 2007 Link

Nice – was that white accent on the C pillars on some of the Clubmans?

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Ron Aug 22nd, 2007 Link

I’m sorry but these things look so goofy. It looks like they forgot to remove the protective shipping material from the edges of the rear. I’d love to read something from the designers explaining why they designed it the way they did.

But perhaps this is another Bangle Butt idea. Everyone will laugh at it for a while, but in a year or two dozens of other cars will outline their rear in silver or black.

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gmini Aug 22nd, 2007 Link

built in cowley, shipped to belgium, shipped to south america? odd distribution.

When is the clubman set to debut in S. America?

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nina simone Aug 22nd, 2007 Link

thank you for sharing these, good Hein. they are just what i wanted to see this morning. was half expecting to see a new Clubman S color.

q: was the pepper white the only one with a black roof? would’ve expected more.

the Clubman cut sure sculpts a unique chord. swerve and chutzpah.

[lettering on the large pics is unfortunate]

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scotteast Aug 22nd, 2007 Link

The more pictures I see of the Clubman, the more I like it overall. It’s sporty and a bit more practical than the MINI coupes.

But, the more I see the silver around the tail lights and across the back bumper, the less I like that.

If I get one, I’ll just have to have that part painted body color. I’m sure I won’t be the only one…

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ejkd Aug 22nd, 2007 Link

I like it very much! Seems the design did not go wrong afterall.

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Nigel Aug 22nd, 2007 Link

MINIs are officially sold in the following Latin American countries:

Argentina Chile Venezuela Mexico

The cars sold there are basically Euro spec. A new Cooper S in any of these countries can easily retail for US$40K-US$50K.

Only the rich and wealthy can afford them.

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Nigel Aug 22nd, 2007 Link

Observations…

I like Nightfire Red very much. Seems to look good with both silver and black contrasting roof.

The silver roof is growing on me, minus the C-pillar treatment. The black roof goives you an all black c-pillar and looks much better integrated.

Hot Chocolate is a looker too, but I still prefer Nightfire Red.

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hein Aug 22nd, 2007 Link

@ nina,

There was also a BRG/Black cooper Clubman, but it was between the others, and can’t take a picture of it but i think BRG with silver looks better.

I ordered an pw/bl cooper D clubman last week for november delivery

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ImUrTrboLvr Aug 22nd, 2007 Link

These things are so awesome, they’re like 3 series wagons, Jaguar estates, Audi avants, etc… There is no doubt they’ll do well in the States. I hope to see AWD on these platforms, would make them all the more marketable.

I like the black taillight inserts rather than white or silver. I think they are actually silver, they look white from a distance.

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Vanwall Aug 22nd, 2007 Link

Not many black C-pillars or body-colored roofs – I’d be painting the C’s too.

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GregW Aug 22nd, 2007 Link

Does anyone know where the official MINI dealer release will be held? Could it be that these cars are destined for a South american country for the release unveiling? Oh no… not Rio? Conga lines!!! Rev your engines to la-la, la-la, la da-da.

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Nigel Aug 22nd, 2007 Link

Brazil? No way…. Interestingly MINIs have never been sold there officially, although BMWs are readily available.

The official Clubman unveiling is supposed to take place in September at the Frankfurt autoshow.

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hein Aug 23rd, 2007 Link

the official dealer introduction will take place on 13 oct in berlin,

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Neil Aug 23rd, 2007 Link

Hmmmm…still don’t like ‘em. Ah well, if we were all the same, life would be a bore.

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GregW Aug 23rd, 2007 Link

“Early in September MINI2 will be driving the MINI Clubman at the International Media Launch in Spain”.

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HPUdrew Aug 23rd, 2007 Link

Anyone else notice that the one with the black roof also has a blacked out beltline? Maybe they will start offering the black headlights and beltline for the refresh model???

Drew

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Gabe Aug 23rd, 2007 Link

“Early in September MINI2 will be driving the MINI Clubman at the International Media Launch in Spain”.

All European media outlets will have the same opportunity. So look for Car, EVO etc to have full reports. If all goes well we should have a report before then.

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