Mini Clubman

For the original British Leyland Mini Clubman (1969−1980), see Mini

Mini Clubman
Overview
Manufacturer	Mini (BMW)
Production	2007–present
Model years	2008–present
Assembly	Cowley, Oxford, England
Body and chassis
Class	Supermini (B)
Body style	2+1-door wagon (first generation) 5-door wagon (second generation) 3-door car derived van (Clubvan)
Layout	Front engine, front-wheel drive
Related	Mini Hatch
Powertrain
Engine	1.6L I4 (One/Cooper) 1.6L Petrol turbocharged I4 (Cooper S) 1.6L BMW N47 diesel I4 (Cooper D and One D)
Transmission	6-speed automatic 6-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,548 mm (100.3 in)
Length	2008–2010: 3,937 mm (155.0 in) 2008–2010 S: 3,957 mm (155.8 in) 2011–present: 3,960 mm (155.9 in)
Width	1,684 mm (66.3 in)
Height	1,425 mm (56.1 in) S: 1,433 mm (56.4 in)
Kerb weight	1,205 kg (2,657 lb)

The Mini Clubman supermini engineered and manufactured by Mini. It was introduced in 2007, as a variant of the Mini Hatch (hatchback). A commercial version called Clubvan was added to the range in 2012. It is the first Mini to have suicide doors on its first generation but the second generation lacks them.

Background

The use of the name "Clubman" is a departure from Mini tradition. "Clubman" was originally the name given to the 1970s facelift of the classic Mini, which mostly resulted in a squared-off front end, whereas the classic Mini estates had traditionally been named "Traveller" or "Countryman" (a Clubman-styled estate was, however, available in Australia). However, BMW did not initially purchase the rights to use those names, and so decided to call its estate-variant "Clubman", a name which it did own rights to.

The model variants are the same as the Hatch/Hardtop version; being in available in One, Cooper, Cooper D, Cooper SD, Cooper S and John Cooper Works (JCW) (2007-2014) variations.

First generation (R55) (2007–2014)

First Generation (R55)
Overview
Manufacturer	Mini (BMW)
Also called	Mini Clubvan
Production	2007 – June 2014
Model years	2008–2014
Assembly	Cowley, Oxford, England
Body and chassis
Class	Supermini (B)
Body style	4-door wagon (Clubman) 4-door car derived van (Clubvan)
Layout	Front engine, front-wheel drive
Related	Mini Hatch
Powertrain
Engine	1.6L I4 (One/Cooper) 1.6L Petrol turbocharged I4 (Cooper S) 1.6L BMW N47 diesel I4 (Cooper D and One D)
Transmission	6-speed automatic 6-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,548 mm (100.3 in)
Length	2008–2010: 3,937 mm (155.0 in) 2008–2010 S: 3,957 mm (155.8 in) 2011–present: 3,960 mm (155.9 in)
Width	1,684 mm (66.3 in)
Height	1,425 mm (56.1 in) S: 1,433 mm (56.4 in)
Kerb weight	1,205 kg (2,657 lb)

Design

Mini Clubman, rear

Identical to the 3-door hatchback from the B-pillar forward, the Clubman features a length increased by 240 mm (9.4 in), an 80 mm (3.1 in) longer wheelbase, increased rear-seat leg room and cargo space deeper by 160 mm (6.3 in), providing an increased 260 litres (9.2 cu ft) of space – growing from a total of 680 to 920 litres (24 to 32 cu ft) with the rear seats folded. The Clubman model weighs 64 kilograms (141 lb) more than its two-door counterpart.

The Clubman features access to its cargo volume via bi-parting rear doors, also known as barn doors or Splitdoors. All Clubman models, feature a pair of bi-parting side doors, marketed singlarly as the Clubdoor, which are always located on its right side of the body – irrespective of market. This in turn creates differences between right and left-hand driver markets. Because (irrespective of market) the steering wheel will preclude the driver's seat from folding as far forward as the passenger seat, left-hand drive markets feature increased access to the rear seat via. For right-hand drive markets, including the car's home market, the bi-parting door is located on the road side of the car, requiring rear passengers to exit into the road.^[1]

In 2007, Torque magazine said the Clubman is "essentially a 4-door hatchback design."^[2]

Mini Cooper S Clubman, cargo area

Recently, the company unveiled the Clubman Bond Street, named after a prestigious shopping destination in London, featuring exclusive and stylish appointments inside and out.^[3]

Specifications

Four-cylinder engine, automatic transmission and manual transmission selections are identical to those used in the corresponding hatchback models, except for the 66 kW (90 PS; 89 bhp) One Diesel which is not offered in the Clubman. The rear suspension setup shares many of the same design features, including the rear trailing arms and the anti-roll bars.^[4]

The Clubman comes with 6 airbags; stability control, brake assist driving and electronic brakeforce distribution.

Clubvan

A panel van commercial version of the Clubman was first shown to the public in June 2012, called the Clubvan. Initially shown as a concept car at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show,^[5] a pre-production version was shown at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.^[6] Sales in the US began in early calendar 2013 but it was withdrawn in July with only 50 units sold, the Chicken tax having made it more expensive than a Clubman wagon.^[7]

Second generation (F54) (2015 – Present)

Second Generation (F54)
Overview
Manufacturer	Mini (BMW)
Also called	Mini Clubvan
Production	2015–present
Model years	2015–present
Assembly	Cowley, Oxford, England
Body and chassis
Class	Supermini (B)
Body style	4-door wagon (Clubman) 4-door car derived van (Clubvan)
Layout	Front engine, front-wheel drive
Related	Mini Hatch
Powertrain
Engine	1.6L I4 2.0L Petrol turbocharged I4 (Cooper S) B38A15T0 1.5L turbocharged Inline-3 gasoline
Transmission	8-speed automatic 6-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,670 mm (105.1 in)
Length	2015–ongoing: 4,275 mm (168.3 in)
Width	1,801 mm (70.9 in)
Height	1,440 mm (56.7 in)
Kerb weight	1,375 kg (3,031 lb)

A second generation Clubman was announced in 2013, with model code F54.^[8] A concept version was unveiled at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show, with a production model expected towards the end of 2014.^[9] The new second generation Mini Clubman was shown in Frankfurt IAA MotorShow featuring more space. It is based on the actual Mini Five Door.^[10] The Mini Clubman is also the largest Mini ever manufactured by the brand, measuring 427 centimetres (168.3 in) long and it is wider measuring 180 centimetres (70.9 in) in comparison to the previous 168-centimetre (66.3 in). The new model has 4 doors for passengers.

This generation of the Mini Clubman comes with two engines for the North American Market. The basic model comes with the 100 kW (134 bhp) 3-cylinder engine mated with either a 6-spd manual or 6-spd automatic transmission, while the new MINI Cooper S Clubman comes with a 4-cylinder engine and 189 bhp, mated with either a 6-spd manual or 8-spd automatic transmission. All-wheel drive in the form of MINI's all4 system is optional in the Cooper S in select markets.^[11]

Vision GT Concept

In 2014, work began on the MINI Clubman VGT, which was designed for the videogame Gran Turismo 6.^[12] The car features four-wheel drive^[13] and carbon fibre components to save weight,^[14] and at nearly 400 horsepower, is one of the most powerful Minis.^[15] It was made available to players via an update in February 2015.^[16]

Reception

In October 2014, Top Gear magazine placed the Mini Clubman on its list of "The worst cars you can buy right now", describing the car as "Lamentable to drive - shuddery, messy and as comfortable as a marble mattress."^[17]

References

1. Car Advice - Not so mini new Mini clubman, published 2007.
2. A New Kind of Club. Torque Magazine, October 2007.
3. Barari, Arman (ed.). "MINI Clubman Bond Street Edition Unveiled". Motorward. Retrieved 2013-01-24.
4. DRIVE.com.au Mini Clubman wagon revealed
5. "Geneva motor show: Mini Clubvan". Autocar. Retrieved 2 November 2012.
6. "Mini Clubvan (2012) first official pictures". Car. 22 June 2012. Retrieved 2 November 2012.
7. "Mini Clubvan axed".
8. "Ten facts about the new Mini". Autocar. 2 August 2013. Retrieved 12 June 2014.
9. "Mini Clubman Concept". Evo. 5 March 2014. Retrieved 12 June 2014.
10. "Nova Mini Clubman deixa-se mostrar com timidez". Retrieved 2015-06-18.
11. https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/usa/pressDetail.html?title=the-new-mini-clubman&outputChannelId=9&id=T0223262EN_US&left_menu_item=node__5145
12. http://www.autoblog.com/2015/02/26/mini-clubman-vision-gran-turismo-concept-video-official/
13. http://www.motoring.com.au/news/2015/mini/mini-clubman-vision-gran-turismo-49549
14. http://www.roadandtrack.com/car-culture/entertainment/news/a25129/mini-clubman-vision-gran-turismo-first-look/
15. http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/mini/clubman/90609/mini-vision-gran-turismo-concept-teases-next-clubman
16. http://autoweek.com/article/car-life/mini-introduces-clubman-vision-gran-turismo-concept
17. "The Worst Cars You Can Buy Right Now". Top Gear magazine. 2014-10-09. Retrieved 2014-10-12.