Comments on: Clubman Wins Top Gear Award

By: Doug

Doug — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 21:38:38 +0000

At least people are saying what they feel. MINI can withstand a few honest comments.

By: gokartride

gokartride — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 18:29:00 +0000

A very odd twist…but then again I suppose one isn’t meant to take these things all too seriously. Just like certain comments on MotoringFile.

By: Cory

Cory — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 15:54:54 +0000

Top Gear (the show) and Top Gear (the magazine) have often chosen different cars for their car of the year, among other awards. A quick glance at their wiki’ entries and you’ll see the cars chosen as car of the year for the past few years.

By: Ron

Ron — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 04:29:31 +0000

And everytime I see that rear end I wonder what in the world MINI was thinking… without even an option to get the rear all one color. It’s like a Pontiac Aztec.

By: Ron

Ron — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 04:27:02 +0000

If you look at the start of the awards series (image 1) I think you'll find the explanation as to how the MINI Clubman got into this list when previous Top Gear/Clarkson reviews made it out as one of the worst cars of the year: This list was apparently put together by the Top Gear Magazine editors - not Clarkson or the TV crew.

Whatever, I think I side with Clarkson. Just because it's a Mini and "something fresh" shouldn't be enough to make it one of the best cars of the year.

By: Hai

Hai — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 20:16:32 +0000

^^ I feel like it was more for performance because the design is disappointing.

By: nuvolari

nuvolari — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 20:11:53 +0000

I say Clarkson got it right and Top Gear sold out. I’m sure there is huge pressure on them to promote UK-built cars. MINI, Jag and RR all received “awards”.

By: Jason

Jason — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 18:54:44 +0000

Clarkson's major gripe was that it wasn't functional; at least some of the aspects of it. I.e., the 3rd door, limited rear visibility, etc. But it seems Top Gear bypassed functionality for coolness and design...

hmmmm- that's enough for me

By: mike

mike — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 17:23:34 +0000

LetÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s not forget...

While Jeremy Clarkson works for Top Gear the magazine and is a presenter on the Top Gear program...

Top Gear Ã¢â€°Â Jeremy Clarkson...

and therefore could have differing opinions.

By: pp

pp — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 17:04:44 +0000

Sorry but this year the award should go to FIAT 500

By: IRIEMAN

IRIEMAN — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 16:48:39 +0000

That’s pretty interesting. Potential slogan: “MINI Clubman – The car you love to hate” (or is it “…hate to love”)

By: Jon

Jon — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 16:13:28 +0000

Just goes to show that despite the major reaction Mr. Clarkson has with it that this is still a solid little car. Nice feather in the cap for Mini for sure, if you can score a positive view from a detractor it does show some nice things about the product your offering. The base fact that the Clubman is selling out on the British Isles does show despite the oddities for the RHD market with the car that potential buyers are not turned off.

By: MeanMrMstrd

MeanMrMstrd — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 15:42:32 +0000

I wonder what they are smoking over there?