Mar 27th, 2013
MINI quietly brought the Clubvan to both the North American International Auto Show in Detroit and to the Paceman launch in Puerto Rico. With pricing recently released, they’re giving this Clubman variant its time in the sun at the New York International Auto Show later this week. Click past the jump for the press release as well as a bunch of new Clubvan photos (which strangely, appear to be taken in Paris).
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Mar 20th, 2013
MotoringFile readers have a few FAQs when it comes to MINI’s industrial version of the Clubman, dubbed the Clubvan. We’ve scoured through our previous reporting and reached out to our contacts at MINI USA to confirm the information you’ve been asking for, starting with the asking price: $25,985.
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Jan 24th, 2013
Today MINI is announcing it’s next MINI Yours special edition – the Clubman Bond Street. Additionally MINI has revised the Hyde Park edition with similar higher paintwork. Look for both to debut at Geneva and be on sale worldwide in the Spring.
Official Release: While fashion statements come and go, authentic style is here for the duration. As a one-off in the premium small car segment, the MINI has cemented its place in the street scene of modern cities in inimitable style. And now the British brand is poised to unveil the MINI Clubman Bond Street design model – and deliver an eye-catching statement of signature charisma and premium quality in the process. Generously equipped and with a searching eye for detail, this is a MINI tailor-made for style-conscious customers of the particularly discerning variety. The MINI Clubman Bond Street will step out for the first time to a public audience at the International Geneva Motor Show in March 2013. continued →
Oct 5th, 2012
Because of a production mix-up there are 75 Clubman (not Clubmans or Clubmen) rolling around the US with the EU style ABS symbol in the tach. The difference? On the EU version just the outer circle of the symbol illuminates, not the ABS letters. Major problem right? The NHTSA thought so and because of it those 75 affected can bring their cars into a dealer for a much safer (sarcasm alert) tachometer with the proper ABS symbol.
For details after the break. continued →
Sep 4th, 2012
MINI USA reported the best August ever with sales of 5,718 automobiles, an increase of 83.9 percent from the 3,109 sold in August, 2011. What’s driving this increase? The volume leaders are (as expected) the R56 hardtop and the R60 Countryman. In fact the Countryman broke the 2,000 unit barrier for a month in August which would have normally surpassed hardtop sales if it wasn’t for an almost 50% increase of sales for MINI’s stalwart model.
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Aug 8th, 2012
There’s a pattern for MINI “shoot outs” in the mainstream press that I think is pretty interesting. It goes something like this:
- Match a MINI against some other small car
- If possible, choose a non-hardtop variant from the MINI lineup that doesn’t quite make sense for comparison
- Emphasize the price difference, even though there are less expensive MINIs than the one tested
- Complain about the MINI’s weird interior while, ironically, yawning at the competitor’s
- Drive the cars
- Point out that the MINI is less comfortable (Thanks, runflats!)
- Point out that the competitor is less fun. A LOT less fun.
- Bring up the price difference again
- Declare the MINI the better car for people who like to drive, but include some sort of back-handed statement about “value”
I’m not saying this is a bad thing. It’s just interesting how consistent it is. continued →
Jun 22nd, 2012
The Clubvan is here. Almost. MINI has released final production information on the first officially available commercial vehicle to wear the MINI badge since BMW bought the brand in the 90′s. The Clubvan was designed with business and load carrying needs in mind but is also engineered to retain MINI’s famous handling characteristics. In fact MINI calls it the world’s only premium model in the small car-based van segment. Look for the Clubvan to arrive in showrooms this autumn.
Official Release: With two seats, five doors and wall-to-wall MINI style and personality, the MINI Clubvan – the world’s first premium compact delivery van – has it all. With this groundbreaking model, based on the MINI Clubman platform, MINI is translating the brand’s hallmark driving fun and inherent charisma to new applications aimed at the urban user. As the first premium vehicle of its kind, the MINI Clubvan sets new standards of style, quality and driving fun in the small car-based van segment. For the first time, trend-conscious commercial users can now make a stylish and sophisticated statement when carrying out deliveries to their equally discerning customers. continued →
