Clubman Production Update
We recently heard from one of our always reliable sources that initial MINI Clubman production will be made up solely of One and Cooper models. We have yet to confirm this bit of new info but a staggered introduction wouldn’t be too surprising considering the logistical issues with introducing an entirely new model. Regardless of what model gets produced when, we can expect production to begin during the first week of August. According to our source, Cooper S and Diesel Clubmans should start production in December of 2007.
These first cars will most likely be demo and press vehicles with customer cars following shortly thereafter. US production should start in December with sales begining in February.
Related:
[ Clubman Sketch and Update ] MotoringFile
I guess the question is when will customers in the US be able to place factory orders?
And if we can place factory orders – I don’t see why we can’t “factory order” a Diesel Clubman, if we live in a State where it meets the State emission standards (which is most of them).
Multiplepersonalities. To answer your question the specifications will probably be available to build your own in late November like the R56 was this past year. Pricing will be available shorlty before. We’ve been taking deposits for these to reserve the first ones for the past two years. You may want to find out how your local dealer is doing with deposits to see what you may want to do.
MINIBro, thanks. We are already in the “waiting list” at our local dealer, so now all we can do is to wait it out until MINIUSA makes the Clubman official in the US market.
Originally, I was thinking of getting a regular Clubman with the 6-speed auto, but now I am more inclined to order the S version and get the turbocharged engine instead. We are planning on doing lots of roadtrips in this car and having the turbo will make the car one of the most pleasurable highway cruisers. I am hoping to be able to keep the price tag in the $25K-$26K range.
so, my understanding is that it will technically be considered a 07 Clubman Cooper or will it be a 08 Clubman? Also, I assume the US is not getting the One? Anyone have any info?
hopefully those of you who order this will be able to insure it easily, my insurance company still has my mini listed as BMW-other.
Jarrett, who is your insurer? Both of my MINIs are with State Farm and they are classified now as MINI. 5 years ago, since th ecars were very new (And few and far in between I might add), they used to be classified under BMW.
Either way, it has never affected me.
Aaron, probably in the European market, early build Clubmans will be considered ’07 model year (Same as early production R56 are ’06s in the UK) but for all practical purposes, the R55 will be a 2008 model year vehicle in the US.
The ONE? Doubt it very much. The change over to the R56 chassis has not open up the possibility of the ONE model to be offered in North America. The ONE is mostly an Europe concentric model which is accessible there to folks that can’t fork out the added expense or road tax to own a Cooper or Cooper S.
In Latin American countries were the MINI is sold, not even the ONE is offered either, just the MC and MCS.
Canada had an interesting model (R50) that was slotted below the regular Cooper. It was called the “Cooper Classic”and the difference was the lack of standard Xenon headlights and DSC, both of which were standard equipment in Canadian spec MINIs (Along with the front heated windshield that was never sold here or the CVT steering wheel mounted paddles)
I would think there’s a slight chance the diesel could make it under the emmission requirements with the larger cargo capacity. Since emmission stardards are stupidly based on cargo capacity. Slight is better than no chance at all. But don’t count your torque numbers before the diesel ignites.
The Clubman will be a 2008 model, arriving about Feb.1>15th like the “new” MINI did this year…look only for a Cooper or MCS version at this time.