MINI of Australia Launches the Clubman
Official MINI of Australia Press Release: A team of eager motorists has been cruising Melbourne in the all new MINI Clubman adding an additional layer of coolness to the Victorian capital’s streets.
The drive programmes, sanctioned by MINI, precede the official launch of the new model (dubbed by insiders as The Other MINI), and have attracted not insubstantial interest from fellow road users.
The MINI switchboard has reported a sharp rise in reports of finger pointing, neck craning and spontaneous smiling in past days. MINI advises that road users should remain calm and attempt to emulate the relaxed and laid back attitude of the MINI Clubman testers.
MINI has confirmed that the MINI Clubman is a new breed of premium conveyance designed for lovers of all things MINI, and that people catching a glimpse of the vehicles on their streets should feel free to approach without caution.
Mild levels of intoxication may occur with prolonged exposure to the MINI Clubman. MINI puts this down to a natural release of Endorphins caused by proximity to the MINI Clubman.
Today, MINI officially advises MINI Clubman enthusiasts to approach their nearest MINI Garage (20 of which have been strategically located across Australia) to express their love for the MINI Clubman.
An approved and accepted form of this declaration will be the promise to pay the dealer on demand the sum of $34,400* for the 88 kW 1.6-litre four-cylinder, six-speed manual MINI Cooper Clubman, or $38,200 for the Chilli model.
The 128 kW 1.6-litre Twin Scroll Turbocharged MINI Cooper S Clubman is priced from $43,200, rising to $47,000 for the Chilli model. All versions are optionally available with a six-speed automatic transmission complete with steering-wheel mounted paddle shifts.
The MINI Clubman offers MINI enthusiasts a unique model concept comprising the Clubdoor and Splitdoor (at the rear) along with greater interior space courtesy of an 80 mm wheelbase stretch and an extended rear overhang.
MINI Clubman equipment levels are in line with the complementary MINI Hardtop models with the addition of Park Distance Control, Dynamic Stability Control and larger light alloy wheels at 16-inches for the Cooper model and 17-inches for the Cooper S model.
One of the visual highlights of the MINI Clubman will be the unique Hot Chocolate exterior paint colour, as well as matching Hot Chocolate interior trim, in cloth or leather, including the top of the range Leather Lounge look, complete with contrasting piping.
MINI Clubman offers the option of a roof finished in body colour or silver or black, while all models will boast contrasting C-pillars and bumper inserts, to highlight the Splitdoor design.
I’m scheduled to see the Aussie Clubman in early March. Will be interesting to see its variations on the USA model – especially with the suicide door on the driver’s side and whether the rear seat has capacity (or more humbly, three seat restraints) to accommodate three people.
As anticipated, it’s good to see that the recommended retail price of the MCS version is only a few thousand dollars higher that the R56 MCS in Australia and is below the luxury vehicle importation tax threshold of $57,009 AUD.
Aussom, can you post a photo of an Australian spec R53 or R56 MINI dashboard? Is it true that the tach sits int he center and the speedo on top of the steering wheel due to Aussie regulations?
The speedo/tacho thing has been fixed on all the new MINIs, no more wonky-australia. (Although I like my tacho in the middle… vroooom)
c4 – From what I have read, the original Australian series had the smaller speedo placed on the steering column due to the (then-import restriction / regulation?) and the large tacho on the centre dash (that is how my 2002 MCS is configured).
I’ve seen subsequent implementations where both the smaller tacho and speedo are both mounted (side-by-side) on the steering column – notably when the GPS or tachometer option(s) are installed on the centre dash.
Will confirm the new Australian variant Clubman Speedo / tacho configuration options early next month.
I attended the Clubman launch tonight at Brisbane MINI which had four Australian Clubmans – two pairs of Cooper and Cooper S variants. One Cooper S had fabric seats, which included a third seatbelt in the rear (including middle position headrest), while the other Clubman S had leather seats with only two seat positions in the rear and no third ceiling mounted seatbelt. Interestingly the two and three seatbelts and headrest rear seat configuration options are not listed in the official Australian MINI Cooper and Cooper S Clubman brochures.
The Speedometer was centrally mounted on all variants, with the smaller tachometer mounted on the steering wheel column plus as expected, the suicide door is on the right-hand side (Australian driver’s side) – same as the UK version.
The vehicles had a strong mixture of optional extras, including Satellite navigation, panoramic glass sunroof, automatic climate control, leather trim, body stripes, hi-fi loudspeaker system, rain sensor, comfort access system, bridge, web and 5-Star Pace Spoke light-alloy rims, steering wheel mounted gear shift paddles pair, fluid silver interior surface, chrome line interior, colour line option, paddle gear shifts, centre armrest, storage package, sports seats, flat luggage compartment floor, the list goes on…
While vehicle exterior colours included Laser Blue with Silver (Cooper S), Dark Silver with Silver (Cooper S), Pepper White with Black (Cooper) and Nightfire Red with Silver, unfortunately the much awaited Hot Chocolate variant was missing!