Initial US Clubmans to be Pre-specced
Similar to the R56 Coupe launch earlier this year, the R55 Clubman will also feature pre-specced cars for the US launch. However unlike the R56 launch, the dealers have given feedback to help MINIUSA to better spec each of the different “versions” of the pre-specced cars.
Look for the first US Clubman to show up in mid-February at launch events across the US. In Europe expect to see the car at dealers in September and October after officially debuting at the Frankfurt Motorshow. Official pictures are set to be released shortly.
Production is set to begin in August.
Thanks for posting these and all the timely updates on the Clubman. We’re especially anxious to see these hit the US market.
Since I want specific options in my new R55, Pre-specced cars are of no real interest to me. Those are typically loaded models with nearly every option in the spec sheet.
So I am guessing that I will not be able to take delivery of my factory custom built R55 until March-April ’08?
-Nigel
Yes Nigel, a bit like the old Henry Ford Model T saying ” You can have any color you want as long as its black”.
Every market specs cars to what it thinks its customers and market place want. Some countries want cup holders and others want cigarette lighters.
As well markets try to give the best bang for their buck compared to rival brand models.
Having said that I too would like to choose what spec and colours for body and trim combinations, not what some marketing person thinks I want.
No suprise there. Same thing they did with the R56. Gives some cars to each dealer to sell off, or use as demos. Nice to see that the dealers have some input on what shows up this time, though. In the end it gives customers some idea of the options availible and how they’ll look and function in person.
That’s ok – I’ll wait a few months until they shake the new model bugs out! I can’t wait to see and test drive the Clubman, though.
Drat! We are high on the list and really want the R55 for AMVIV. What better way to break in a car than to drive it 1600 miles to Vegas. Calmly on the way down and ‘quickly’ coming back. However, we don’t want every silly option under the sun and color will be very important to the wife. Nope, don’t need a $30,000 Clubman.
GMG
P.S. Whoever thought that chocolate brown trim in a silver car is the ideal combination? I’d plump for red.
Thanks for the pics showing the right-hand drive variant (as could be available in Australia – we drive on the same side of the road as the UK). It will make getting the kids in and out of the MINI a lot easier having the suicide door on the same side as the driver’s door. Looking forward to seeing the real thing down under. I like the steering wheel timber grain finish, but not sure that the chocolate brown leather is a good match – maybe tan would match better?
Pre-spec’d cars are great if the dealer gets a wide variety of configs. I think deciding things like the leather seating, nav, and stereo, which are pricey, need to be experienced first hand to see if they are worth it.
Looking forward to seeing one in real life and who knows, maybe they’ll give you a deal if there’s one with an extra or two you don’t really want/need…though, I’m sure most of us don’t believe that. 😉