Initial Clubman Review and Photos
While the official press Clubman launch isn’t for a few days we’ve got a couple of sneak peaks at what it’s like to drive the car and how it looks up close. First up, a long time source for MotoringFile in Germany has now driven the car and has a few initial thoughts.
Based on our source’s initial experience with the car, the new Clubman is noticeably quieter inside at speed than the coupe or convertible. This will surely go a long way (along with the extra storage) in helping the Clubman becoming the ultimate road-trip MINI. Secondly (and perhaps unsurprisingly) it’s also more comfortable over rough roads due to the longer wheelbase. The extra length seems to allow the chassis to better absorb impacts rather than transmitting them into the cabin. Around back he found the rear doors sounded like something from Star Wars when opening and closing but operated perfectly. Finally he found the view out of the rear-view mirror quite a change after driving a MINI coupe for years. Specifically the bar in the middle of the barn-doors took some getting used to.
One other thing he managed to capture was the layout of the middle seat-belt. For those who missed the news a few months back, some select markets (ie – not the US as one would expect) will be getting a rear seat layout that accommodates three people across. There was some question as to how MINI was going to manage the middle seat belt anchor point. Thanks to the photos below, we now have that answer. I’m guessing we’re not alone in saying, thanks but no thanks.
I also saw a good multipage writeup and photos of the Clubman in the current issue of Top Gear magazine (at the newsstand)
So the new Clubman spec’s say that it is ~9″ longer than the current MINI. What happened to the other 9″? Wasn’t it supposed to be like 18″ longer than the current MINI?
That back seat looks cheap. I hope it looks better in person.
About the seats…
What I mean is, I get the funky design as a solution for folding the seats down, flat. What bothers me about them is that the surface material looks loose and unfitted – almost like a seat cover.
When I matched up the specs online it shows the Clubman is a foot longer than the R53.
Sounds promising – I look forward to seeing the US versions here in February!
The third rear seat position might not be suitable for an adult but it is the perfect place for a baby/child car seat.
I hope that the extra padding, belt anchors, etc are available as a retrofit kit for those of us with children.
Seat appears to be LOTH (black cloth and leather). I’m looking forward to seeing the Clubman on the roads – I think it will be wildly successful here in the US.
Does the tail light look like there is some kind of a separate cover, a little plastic sub-door of sorts, to swing and surround the light? It definitely doesn’t appear to be one surface from the face of the door to the light surround.
“Does the tail light look like there is some kind of a separate cover, a little plastic sub-door of sorts, to swing and surround the light? It definitely doesn’t appear to be one surface from the face of the door to the light surround.”
Aaron, if you zoom in and look at it it is on the same plain as the door but I can see how you could think that.
Is there an option to NOT get that seatbelt hanging from the roof?
Even if there was, I don’t think there’s a Clubman in my future.
Did they change the suspension from the coupe? How is it going to handle a car with 4 adults?
It seems too MINI for some things, and not MINI enough for others.
I would have to agree that the middle seat option looks rather uncomfortable for an adult. But at least you could carry a third person in the rear occasionally for short distances.
What is more perplexing is how they managed to engineer a seat belt anchor point in the roof! Are these the same engineers that couldn’t find an answer to moving the fuel filler position?
Nigel, I am sure you would be able to buy the “3rd seat option” parts from a market that sells them, and convert your own car – the only question is about that overhead seat belt anchor.
Hey Folks, does the Clubman series carry a spare tire, or is it just the normal aspirated models?…since the exhaust pipes shouldnt be in the way to carry a spare, like it happened in the R53…hmm.
9″ / 18″ …. there was confusion early on due to measurements in inches / centimetres, and due to wheel base / overall length / interior length changes, etc …
…the r53 has no spare due to the battery being placed there, not because of the exhaust pipes…
Hi guys,
The other day we(Mr Xboxlover and yours truly)got a chance to take a look at a Mini Clubman parked under great secrecy in the Garage of MINI ESPAÑA in Madrid. We´ve (Club Masmini) got a contact in marketing, and we were kindly invited to take a peek. (Thanks a lot for the invitation!!!)
It was under a cover, and our first impression as we got to see it fully was that the car looked lower overall than some of the R56s that were parked alongside, it sat nicely on 16″, and looked good and not awkward in any way, with nice details, and great proportions.
You should wait to see it face to face.. it really got my attention.
Regarding the central back seat, we were told that it is only certified for someone under 50Kg (110 lbs)at least in Spain.
The Clubman shown to us was a white Cooper D with black roof and C pillars (GORGEOUS!!!!)
Im sorry but we were not allowed to take any pics, but luckily we found the Cooper S Clubman in Blue and Silver used on the official photographs (German Plates)parked not far away. Maybe Mr Xboxlover will be kind enough to send some of the pics that we took.
Cheers!!!
…heh …heh. Right now that little mini middle “seat” looks like a toilet lid!
Wow, i thought the spare tire is placed underneath the rear chassis…like in a SUV or a truck…where one has to lower it to the floor, in times of need…and that the exhaust pipes in a R53 were in the way etc etc.
So…is the battery in the back in the clubman? Happy now?….sigh…
The seatbelt anchor in the roof is not unique. My 2007 Honda Fit Sport also has this for use by the passenger in the middle rear seat. I’ve never had adults use it, but the tweens that I provide taxi service for don’t have any complaints.
No 3rd seatbelt in rear. No interest for me. It would be cruel and unusual for my kids and me to put all 3 in the back of any car, but I have to admit I was intrigued by the notion of transporting the entire family safely and legally… Oh well, to hell with it!
Whats wrong with having the seatbelt in the roof… you likely won’t beable to see it from the rearview mirror. I guess i don’t see what the fuss is over it… I wouldn’t let something that insigificant determine my purchse… especialy if you really want to… you can just remove it yourself when you take it home.
isellem, I dont think anyone is complaining about the seat belt in the roof – the discussion is over whether the middle seating position is comfortable enough to carry an adult. My comment is that there must be some sort of strengthening to allow for the belt to be mount as such. It has to withstand crash test regulations so must be substantial.
I like the idea of having the 3rd seating option, as lasersailor comments for occassional passengers.
isellem, I dont think anyone is complaining about the seat belt in the roof – the discussion is over whether the middle seating position is comfortable enough to carry an adult. My comment is that there must be some sort of strengthening to allow for the belt to be mounted as such. It has to withstand crash test regulations so must be substantial.
I like the idea of having the 3rd seating option, as lasersailor comments for occassional passengers.