Yesterday I had a chance to spend the entire day with the MINI Clubman and its designer Marcus Syring while driving up and down Highway 1 in California. I could go on and on about the car, the company and the road but I’ll leave that for the upcoming review. But for now, here’s a sneak peak.
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Marcus Syring is a top bloke. Had the chance to have a good talk with him at the UK Clubman launch last year. I’m convinced, have had my Pepper white Cooper Clubman for three weeks now.
Gabe, I take you liked the car?
Lot’s lot’s of of of of great great great photos photos…
This is the best the car ever looked! These “real life” pictures really make it look like something I want. We just had a baby and our dreams of having a Mini were starting to fade. But maybe there is hope after all!
Tread carefully Gabe – you’re coming perilously close to enjoying the lifestyle of a full-fledged automotive journalist. There may be no turning back! 😉
That looks like Nacimiento-Fergusson Road off Highway 1. Fantastic pics!!
<blockquote>Tread carefully Gabe – you’re coming perilously close to enjoying the lifestyle of a full-fledged automotive journalist. There may be no turning back! ;-)</blockquote>
Hey! Maybe Gabe can host the US version of Top Gear!
I look forward to the full review!
Once again, 50% of the potential buyers of mini’s are meant to fill that only the “S” version of these machines are worthy of attention. I hope that, unlike every magazine’s report so far, the official reviews by MF are more balanced along the entire spectrum. That said, it is one nice machine to look at!
I’m waiting for the review. But I can understand that Gabe might be a little distracted at the moment driving test cars around those curves along Highway 1. Raise your hand if you’re jealous…yep, all hands are up. Have a blast, Gabe. We’ll patiently wait for the review.
Looking forward to the review. Just saw the Clubman at the Chicago Auto show. On one of them the rear suicide door was broken and would not open. Hmmm maybe I’ll wait a while before considering one.
I like the woody wagon version of the modern MINI Clubman’s predecessor. I think this concept would be trick on the R55 and the forthcoming R60. The wooden flooring rails in the cargo area are very cool.
Great pics. Makes me wish for a MINI road trip.
David- The doors on all autoshow cars get fully abused- interior pieces come off and the whole lot. Even on the Toyotas and Hondas. The doors worked perfectly when I was there last week in Chicago. I think some people just don’t pay attention.
Gabe- please speak to the cargo cover in the R55. I haven’t seen it in person, so I’m wondering if it’s as horrible in practice as the UK message boards have said.
I was thinking something different from blue this go around, but Lightning Blue & Silver is so sharp!
Thanks- can’t wait for the review!
We checked out the Cluban at our dealer’s showroom this morning. Love the rear doors, rear visiblity does not seem to be as bad as some have reported. I am 6’1″ and 215 lbs and I got in the back, put my wife in the front (5’6″ *** lbs) and when she found a comfortable position, I found that my knees had about an inch of space before contacting the seat back, and I had about 1 1/2″ headroom. So far, very impressed, but we will take a drive when the roads are not snow covered, and see how it drives compared to our ’07 MCS.
Wonderful photos! Thanks to all of you who’ve seen it, sat in it and/or driven it for your feedback. We’re heading to MINI of Fairfield County in Stamford on Saturday morning – which could be dangerous. 😉
I loved it when I saw it at the New England Auto Show in Boston a couple of months ago. My wife and I are going to the launch party at Mini of Peabody on Friday, and I hope that’s all the nudge she needs to say “go ahead” on our now-inevitable decision to get one of these.
We thrashed one or two last weekend…drives really great!!! DS with silver trim is very nice!!
Taking delivery of mine next weekend…. Can’t wait.