Clubman’s Door Not Originally Planned?
Automotive News is reporting that the Clubman’s door was not originally on the drawing boards when the model was conceived. Here’s an excerpt:
>The Mini Clubman’s unusual, three-door configuration evolved during the entry-premium car’s development. “This is a thing only Mini would do,” said Ulrich Kranz, director of Mini engineering and product development, during the car’s press launch in Spain.
Unfortunately the rest of the article is available only to subscribers. However you can find it here:
[ Clubman’s Door Not Originally Planned ] Automotive News (Subscribers only)
Link has an extra h in the address, (hhttp:).
It’s been corrected. Thanks!
Not to surprising, the concept Clubman that was shown had the two side doors that were longer than the normal doors on the Cooper/Cooper S.
Can still say if it wasn’t for the cost of producing the original concepts side doors it would have been great. I am sure that the direct reason for the third door was Mini choosing to go with the standard side doors of the R56 instead. Was a major fan of the concept Clubman and much less fan of the production one, had no doubt that it won’t sell well for Mini just not going to bring one home with me.
9/17-9/24 Clubman 7 JCW 0
Try opening those long doors in a tight parking spot – not practical, in addition to having a longer, unsupported void in the monocoque on both sides.
No doubt Vanwall, but think the main reason is is that it was much more cost effective to use the doors off the R56. Still as a design aspect the longer doors are much nicer.
“the Clubman’s door was not originally on the drawing boards when the model was conceived.”
Yeah, I know the girl looks young and all, but she’s not that young! 🙂
The hinges shown on the concept cars would have resulted in large openings without wide door swings. Pushing the door forward as it opens make a lot of sense, if you can make it cheap and reliable enough.
Hence why I think its not on the production kit, the doors would have cost more, and every company I know would have made the same choice, to combine as many items as possible between various products. This is why I still believe made them consider the suicide door.
That girl looks like she is having trouble getting out of the back seat – now try that into rush hour traffic in rh drive markets.