World Premier: The MINI Clubman Hampton
We scooped this last week and now MINI is officially taking the wraps off of the latest special edition MINI. The Hampton takes some of the best of other models and combines them with a few new key pieces to create something unique on the Clubman. The model will be available starting with March production and should run through August production.
Official Release: As a pioneer and one-off in the premium small car segment, MINI offers an options range unmatched in its variety to allow customers to configure their car exactly how they want it. Customers can choose from a large selection of exterior paint finishes, light-alloy wheels, upholstery variants, interior trim and Colour Lines, MINI-specific options such as mirror caps and graphics, and numerous other optional extras and accessories, to make every MINI a one-off creation designed in detail to reflect their own individual style. From spring 2011 MINI will open up another new avenue when it comes to the ultra-stylish customisation of the brand’s cars. The MINI Yours range of products will feature exclusive design options delivered from the factory for the exterior and interior of the current range of MINI models. Among the features of the MINI Yours range are unusual paint finishes, upholstery variants and interior colours, stylishly configured equipment packages and limited editions based on the now four model series in the MINI family. (Full gallery after the break)
An exclusive variant of the MINI Clubman takes centre stage for the premiere of MINI Yours. The MINI Clubman Hampton special-edition model embodies the character of MINI Yours – underpinned by uncompromising premium quality and design cues typical of the brand – in a highly concentrated form. Its design features reference both the brand’s British heritage and the special edition’s unique designation, inspired by the southwest London suburb. At the same time, the first limited-edition variant of the MINI Clubman continues a tradition established by successful editions of earlier models. For example, the Park Lane, Seven, Checkmate and Sidewalk editions of the MINI offered customers particularly neat ways to satisfy their desire for exclusive configurations.
The MINI Clubman Hampton is painted in the Reef Blue metallic shade developed specially for this model. The roof and surrounds for the special edition’s rear doors are silver, as are the wheels and Colour Line. The exterior colours Pepper White, Midnight Black and Eclipse Grey can be specified as an option, while Black and Reef Blue are available as contrast colours for the roof and C-pillars. The light-alloy wheels in Twin Blade Spoke design can be ordered in silver or black with a dark red trim ring. The headlights come with black reflectors if the optional xenon units are specified. A logo on the B-pillar and “Hampton†lettering on the side indicator surrounds and radiator grille provide subtle references to the car’s exclusive status. The “MINI 50 Hampton†lettering on the door entry strips recalls the introduction five decades ago of an additional bodywork version of the classic MINI, which today ranks as the historic predecessor of the MINI Clubman.
The interior of the MINI Clubman Hampton also boasts a very distinctive style. An “H†on the seat tags, red edging and orange contrast stitching are the identifying features of the black Lounge Leather seats. The anthracite-coloured roof liner, the likewise anthracite dials of the rev counter and the speedometer on the Centre Speedo also contribute to the model’s special ambience. The Centre Speedo is bordered by a trim ring in matt dark red, like that on the wheels. The Chilli Pack is also included in the MINI Clubman Hampton, adding items such as a sports leather steering wheel, foglamps, automatic climate control, an on-board computer, a light package, a storage package and special velour floor mats in the style of the special-edition model.
This exclusive special edition will be available for the MINI Cooper Clubman, MINI Cooper S Clubman, MINI Cooper D Clubman and MINI Cooper SD Clubman. Production of the MINI Clubman Hampton will be limited to one year.
Full Gallery
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<p>Looking forward to the details on the new MINI Yours program. Sounds similar to BMW Individual. Any word if MINI USA will make the full program available here?</p>
<p>Love the look – it’s a really nice shade of blue (although there are so many shades of blue available already…) and I really like the dash trim and central speedo surround. The red stitching on the shift knob shows nice attention to detail. Almost makes me wish I hadn’t already bought a “White Silver Edition”. Would’ve like to have seen them offer the rear trim in black top / body color bottom like they did with the White Silver.</p>
<p>As an aside, wasn’t Mini’s 50th anniversary back in 2009? Why are they still doing 50th anniversary badges?</p>
<p>Good looking Clubman though the silver duct surrounds still make my head hurt lol.</p>
<p>Really look forward to something like the BMW Individual system coming to MINI. I second the question about MINIUSA offering it here. Add a European delivery option next and I would be very excited.</p>
<p>Could be just me but still really not sure about the new face with the lower front end, still just feels bulky to me.</p>
<p>Would a rose by any other color smell as sweet?</p>
<p>Maybe if these special editions were the same money as standard, I would go for one, but I prefer to choose my own options.</p>
<p>I really like the new Hampton package, however the Hampton graphic on the side scuttle looks rather cheap and it seems like they didn’t take the time to design something unique. Another thing, I wish they made better floor mats for these special edition models… something thicker and better quality.</p>
<p><em>As an aside, wasn’t Mini’s 50th anniversary back in 2009? Why are they still doing 50th anniversary badges?</em></p>
<p>Yes, Mini’s 50th anniversary was in 2009. This is for the 50th anniversary of the Clubman.</p>
<p>@grueinthebox: This car commemorates the 50th anniversary of the debut of the original Countryman/Traveller same “Van” style body that Mini released 50 years ago. Read the press release as they mention this. The color is awesome and I would love for it to become a regular offering on the hardtop. Reminds me of good old Space Blue which I miss so much (I should have kept my 2006!).</p>
<p>Personally, I’m disappointed that they made the interior so similar to the JCW. Mini claims that they were using visual cues to separate the JCW from a standard car and yet this interior looks frighteningly familiar. The seats and the dials are way too similar to my own 2011 JCW.</p>
<p>Isn’t this actually the second limited edition Clubman? I’ve forgotten what it was called, but the one with the lime green mirror caps? If I recall correctly, it was one per US dealer, so that seems quite limited to me.</p>
<p>@scotteast: Rallye edition</p>
<p>that color looks almost black. Love the painted-in hood stripes!</p>
<p>Happy to see MINI slowly banishing the R56 plastic silver trim from the land… that is a great looking Clubbie interior!</p>
<p>Gotta say, the interior color line is pretty bad. Like bad meaning bad, not bad meaning good. Looks like the Mazda Speed3 interior. Faded red dots over black, no bueno. Red stitching is a cool accent though.</p>
<p>What a great interior improvement with no cheap looking silver plastic trim!!! Wish my 07 JCW had that interior.</p>
<blockquote>Personally, I’m disappointed that they made the interior so similar to the JCW. Mini claims that they were using visual cues to separate the JCW from a standard car and yet this interior looks frighteningly familiar. The seats and the dials are way too similar to my own 2011 JCW.
</blockquote>
<p>This red trim is a noticeably different shade of red than is used with the JCW seats. This is a deeper red, almost a burgundy color, rather than a bright red. The dash and mirrors also have the same pattern as the Camden and Mayfair trims but with Damson red instead of white silver or toffee. I think that this will be even more striking in person. Your local dealer should have the color samples now or should be getting them soon.</p>
<p>Boring, as is this forum lately.</p>
<p>As Lars Ulrich’s dad once said … “I would delete that”</p>
<p>this just looks totally random.</p>
<p>Those mirrors look great!</p>
<p>Nice. I wouldn’t kick it out of my garage.</p>