Mini Clubman: Stretched Retro Style Motoring Channel Staff - 21/February/2008 
2008 Mini Clubman
Mini's new Clubman is not your everyday wagon
The cleverly named 'clubdoor' will become
a favourite with the mafia to 'club' people
As this photo shows, access to the Mini
Clubman is not through orthodox means
Note the 'ye olde' British influences
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Sydney, Australia — Priced between $34,400 and $47,000, Mini has launched a new elongated 'wagonised' version of the Cooper in Australia. On
sale from the 6th of March 2008, the new Mini Clubman is aimed at
driving enthusiasts who need more loading space, and is also expected
to boost Mini sales thanks its trendy retro design and increased boot
space. While the new look will be the main reason people take a look at this oddly fun new vehicle, other aspects stand out. In
addition to the extra room that longer design provides for lifestyle
activities - surfing, mountain biking etc - the splitdoor tailgate
design allows for easy loading into the rear, while the intriguing
Clubdoor seems like a retro relic brought back from the past. "The new Mini Clubman will offer our customers a little bit more real
estate with which to enjoy their lifestyle," says Justin Hocevar,
the national manager for Mini. Explaining
that the Clubman model is some 23.9cm longer than the standard Mini
Cooper, Mr Hocevar said the new design "opens up a world of
possibilities for customers, with more useable
interior space for loading adventure pursuit gear, or for enough
luggage for even longer road trips along our exciting and unspoiled
road networks." The full range of Mini Clubman models and pricing is as follows:  Mini Cooper Clubman: $34,400
Mini Cooper Clubman Chilli: $38,200
Mini Cooper S Clubman: $43,200
Mini Cooper S Clubman Chilli: $47,000
All
models come standard with a 6-speed manual transmission, but a 6-speed
automatic with steering wheel paddle shifters can be had for an extra
$2,200 on all models. Mini's new lifestyle vehicle is expected to
grow the brand in Australia, but don't expect the expansion of the
range to end there. Already there are rumours that Mini and BMW are
hard at work developing a compact AWD that could arrive in a couple of
years. The Mini car company claims the Clubman is unique because no other vehicle offers the practicality,
verve, dynamic excitement or unique presentation of the Clubman
concept. There are more than 40 exterior colour
combinations and a huge array of colour, trim and feature options for
the interior explains the car maker. Power
for the Cooper and Cooper S Clubman models comes from 1.6-litre engines
- one turbocharged (Cooper S) and one not (Cooper). Details on the engines are as follows: Mini Cooper S Clubman:
1.6-litre Turbo Engine - 128kW @ 5500rpm, 240Nm @ 1600rpm (The
engine is also capable of developing 260Nm of torque with the overboost
feature) Mini Cooper Clubman: 1.6-litre Engine - 88kW @ 6000rpm, 160Nm @ 4250rpm. With
sporty suspension and a low-to-ground feeling, the new 'stretched'
Minis are expected to drive very much like their siblings, with
responsive handling delivering a fun-to-drive experience.
"Mini
Clubman is chic, cheeky and even more accommodating. We have answered
our fans who have said they wanted more from Mini," says Hocevar. The
Clubman model joins the hatch and cabrio (convertible) Mini models in
Australia.
The BMW-owned company says that while the Mini
Clubman has a distinctive side and rear profile, it is identical to the
Mini Hardtop from the A-pillars forward. Who will buy the new
model? Mini believes it will be the same community who previously
sought out the hatchback models: urban based, young and young-at-heart,
premium market customers seeking an expression of their passion and
excitement for driving. Mini says that new customers will
see the Mini Clubman first as a Mini and secondly as an innovative and
unusual vehicle that not only offers more space, but does so with
panache. "All Mini brand models excel through their engaging
driving experience, go-kart handling, comfort and agility, not to
mention impressive fuel economy and low emissions, and the Mini Clubman
shares all these brand values," added Mini's national manager, Mr
Hocevar. "We know size doesn't count when it comes to delivering
exhilaration and satisfaction. It's how you drive it that matters,"
quipped Mr Hocevar.
Related articles:
- Mini Clubman (2008)
- New Mini (2007)
- Mini
Concept Tokyo
(concept)
- Mini
Concept Frankfurt (concept)
- Mini Cooper
Cabrio (2005)
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