Jul 1st, 2013
Welcome to MF Vault. Where we bring you the best of vintage MotoringFile in an effort to look back and maybe even re-evaluate. Five years ago there was no Clubman. There was no Countryman, Paceman, Coupe or Roadster. There was just the MINI and the MINI Convertible. With the addition of the Clubman MINI was dipping its toe in the water and seeing how far the brand could grow – literally. This is the first drive of that car in January of 2008.
The MINI Clubman is not the MINI reinvented. It’s not Americanized, supersized, or dumbed in any way. Instead what we have in the Clubman is the largest, most spacious MINI possible that still looks and performs like a MINI.
Yes the Clubman has more rear legroom and cargo space. 3.1 inches of extra legroom and 6.3 inches of extra storage space in the boot. That, along with various space saving nooks and crannies give the Clubman decidedly more versatility than the hardtop R56 MINI. But MINI was serious about creating something special inside the Clubman as well. The rear interior of the car (from the B-pillar forward it’s identical to the R56) was designed by the same interior designer who created the current interiors for Rolls Royce. While the quality of components may not be the same (no surprises there) the attention to detail and craftsmanship is obvious. continued →
Jun 12th, 2013
2014 Model year pricing is in and things are looking good. In fact the only price increase is to the Paceman and Countryman and there MINI is only raising the price $100. With that $100 2014 R60 and R61s will now come standard with heated mirrors and washer jets – options technically worth more than $100.
Why no increase elsewhere? Simply put MINI is gearing up for the F56 and will be holding the line on pricing until it hits this next February/March as a 2014 model. That means that there will be no 2014 R56 models unlike the rest of the MINI range.
Production of 2014 models begins on July 1st 2013. Here’s the full release.
Official Release: The only models that will have a price increase for the MY2014 are Paceman and Countryman; however, for the $100 increase, all variants of those two models will come equipped standard with heated mirrors and washer jets.
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May 31st, 2013
The R56 has been been incredibly successful for MINI in terms of sales and growing the brand. But one issue has stuck around with the R56 since 2007. From 2007 to 2010 the chain tensor (a $15 part) has been failing and wreaking havoc for MINI owners. continued →
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 →
