MINI of Australia Launches the Clubman

ClubMainia - Clubman Launch & Spotted - MINI2 - MINI Forum Feb 22nd, 2008 Link

[...] a bit more info on your spotting here: MotoringFile » Archive » MINI of Australia Launches the Clubman Sir Jackie Stewart: You never press the gas pedal until you know you never have to take it [...]

Aussom Feb 22nd, 2008 Link

I’m scheduled to see the Aussie Clubman in early March. Will be interesting to see its variations on the USA model – especially with the suicide door on the driver’s side and whether the rear seat has capacity (or more humbly, three seat restraints) to accommodate three people.

As anticipated, it’s good to see that the recommended retail price of the MCS version is only a few thousand dollars higher that the R56 MCS in Australia and is below the luxury vehicle importation tax threshold of $57,009 AUD.

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c4 Feb 22nd, 2008 Link

Aussom, can you post a photo of an Australian spec R53 or R56 MINI dashboard? Is it true that the tach sits int he center and the speedo on top of the steering wheel due to Aussie regulations?

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Russell Feb 26th, 2008 Link

The speedo/tacho thing has been fixed on all the new MINIs, no more wonky-australia. (Although I like my tacho in the middle… vroooom)

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Aussom Feb 26th, 2008 Link

c4 – From what I have read, the original Australian series had the smaller speedo placed on the steering column due to the (then-import restriction / regulation?) and the large tacho on the centre dash (that is how my 2002 MCS is configured).

I’ve seen subsequent implementations where both the smaller tacho and speedo are both mounted (side-by-side) on the steering column – notably when the GPS or tachometer option(s) are installed on the centre dash.

Will confirm the new Australian variant Clubman Speedo / tacho configuration options early next month.

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Aussom Mar 6th, 2008 Link

I attended the Clubman launch tonight at Brisbane MINI which had four Australian Clubmans – two pairs of Cooper and Cooper S variants. One Cooper S had fabric seats, which included a third seatbelt in the rear (including middle position headrest), while the other Clubman S had leather seats with only two seat positions in the rear and no third ceiling mounted seatbelt. Interestingly the two and three seatbelts and headrest rear seat configuration options are not listed in the official Australian MINI Cooper and Cooper S Clubman brochures.

The Speedometer was centrally mounted on all variants, with the smaller tachometer mounted on the steering wheel column plus as expected, the suicide door is on the right-hand side (Australian driver’s side) – same as the UK version.

The vehicles had a strong mixture of optional extras, including Satellite navigation, panoramic glass sunroof, automatic climate control, leather trim, body stripes, hi-fi loudspeaker system, rain sensor, comfort access system, bridge, web and 5-Star Pace Spoke light-alloy rims, steering wheel mounted gear shift paddles pair, fluid silver interior surface, chrome line interior, colour line option, paddle gear shifts, centre armrest, storage package, sports seats, flat luggage compartment floor, the list goes on…

While vehicle exterior colours included Laser Blue with Silver (Cooper S), Dark Silver with Silver (Cooper S), Pepper White with Black (Cooper) and Nightfire Red with Silver, unfortunately the much awaited Hot Chocolate variant was missing!

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