Clubman Debuts on the Streets of Geneva
Earlier this week MINI sent a heavily camouflaged 2008 MINI Clubman around the streets of Geneva for a bit of “off the radar” publicity. Dr. Michael Ganal actually mentioned it at yesterday’s press conference when he said, “Yesterday, we let the MINI Clubman off the leash for a short time so that it could get used to life on the road.”
But publicity would be worthless if no one saw it. So luckily we have this video (which has all makings of an inside job) which chronicles the entire drive.
Now that is interesting LOL I’ll put the feelers out at work and see if anyone knows anything – very odd though!
“Just Teasing: LOL
Nifty.
That had to be an ‘inside job’ but it was fun to see the real thing rather than photoshopped images.
Good to see the shape rolling down the street from various angles. In urban situation.
single exhaust pipe….non S model, which brings up a question. There is going to be a non-S and S versions of the Clubman, right?
How about JCW version?
GMG
>There is going to be a non-S and S versions of the Clubman, right?
Yes – <a href="http://motoringfile.com/2006/12/04/minis-future-models-revealed/" rel="nofollow">you can read more here</a>.
Very cheeky! Love it! The R55 looks better from the side and back angles than the R56. The chunkier design works better on the Clubman and the absence of squished side windows and longer/taller roof lid really makes it stand out.
Still no videos or photos of the thing with the side rear door wide open.
Another 11 months and counting…
I thought I saw two exhausts, I think it is funny how they almost stalled it in the beginning. I think this is dumb. It doesn’t show anymore than what we have already seen, the same parts are camo’d. It reminds me a little of <a href="http://www.groonk.net/blog/mt-archives/004698.php" rel="nofollow">the robot. </a>
This is a video taken last year of a Clubman test mule (Possibly a Clubman S) being tested at high speed in Germany’s famous Nurburgring race circuit!
Check out the handling!:
<a href="http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/videos/spyshotvideos/203140/mini_traveller.html" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/videos/spyshotvideos/203140/mini_traveller.html</a>
The R55 will be a run away success. Will it outsell the R56?
I’m from Geneva and I recognized all the places where the Clubman went. First 20 secondes we see the Mini near the Rhone river, we can see the green lights from the “Pont de la Coulouvenière” (bridge) I live 2 minutes from there !
Then we see the “Rue du Rhône” full of expensive watches shops and banks.
And finally the Clubman is seen along the left bank of the lake !
Bridget, I have been to Switzerland, but have only visited Lugano (Italian side), Lucerne (German side) and basil. You have a GORGEOUS country and hope to be back some day and vist Geneva. From Lugano to Lucerne we crossed the Alps via the impressive St.Gottard tunnel.
Ah MINI and their marketing tactics.
mb
what did it say on the other door, was it “stop drooling”? 😉
Nice ride. I have practically “sold” to serious prospective buyers (ie: family) to buy this model when it comes out next year. One of them was planning on buying a Toyota Highlander!! Yikes!! Hopefully she will wait and get one of these nice rides, they look like fun if you have a kid and like outdoor activities (surfing, snowboarding…) all good!!
Will the Clubman affect BMW X3 sales?
<blockquote> The R55 looks better from the side and back angles than the R56. The chunkier design works better on the Clubman and the absence of squished side windows and longer/taller roof lid really makes it stand out</blockquote>
Agreed.
I’m with FrankInMiami: run away success!
though, i bet X3 shoppers don’t consider MINIs.
so, — ala R56, they’ll offer S versions at kick-off, next February?
Ready!
Maxi Cooper
How do you pronounce it? Is it Club-MAN or Club-mun, or what? I’m just speaking the american version of english here, thank you very much.
Also anyone know why it gets the R55 moniker instead of R57?
R57 will be the all new 2009 MINI Convertible (based on the R56 platform) The current R52 MCC and MCSC Tritec powered cabrios will be built until 2008.
can anyone confirm what appears in previous spy shots and this video that clubman has assymetric rear lights i.e one fog and one reversing light as well as assymetric side doors
The Clubman will have rear “barn” doors just like the original. Each door will have its own wiper/washer. This and the passenger side only rear “suicide” door will set it apart from the R56 2 door coupe.
I predict this thing will have a huge front to back glass sunroof and superb rear passenger leg room. All black with tints….MINI LIMO!
I love the Mini, but the Clubman seems more station wagon to me, less sports car-y.
I’ll give it time to grow on me. That’s just my initial impression after watching the video.
Station wagons can be fun.
Look at a dodge magnum, its a station wagon, but it’s hoss. Granted, I’ve never drove one, but those are still sexy.
The “S” version will be the one I want when it is finally available. Enough leg room in the back for my growing little-guy. In the meantime, I take delivery of a Santa Fe GLS AWD (the loaded version up here in Canada). It is no X3, but will more than do the job for a lot less $$$. The Clubman will be my personal daily driver with enough room to carry my crew, should the need arise.
on youtube you can find another video where you better can see what´s drawn on the driver´s side…
[Stop staring at me](<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cjmg8gJxoME" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cjmg8gJxoME</a>)
greets Markus
How about a panel edition of the Clubman?
Similar to the recent Chevy HHR panel version.