Max-Mini: Mini Clubman Perplexes
Obviously, the only thing wrong with the Mini Cooper is that it doesn't offer a Max version. But it will, starting this fall in Europe and coming to the U.S. in the first quarter of next year.
That’s sad, because the initial attraction of the machine was its size — a David out to do battle with all the Goliaths. Its petite size won many fans for the Mini camp, including people who found it easy to park along congested streets or in cramped downtown garages. In the garage at home, you could slip the bike, mower, and car into the same one-vehicle garage stall.
Of course, if you have six kids and two dogs, it's not the car for you. It’s also a mite out of place for soccer moms, considering how many Minis you could fit in a soccer goal. But the Mini is cute and cuddly, and that's what won over fans.
Apparently, though, a number of Mini enthusiasts said that while they were deeply, madly, head-over-heels in love with their car, there was one teenie-weenie little problem: The car wasn't big enough. So the automaker decided to give them what they want — a Clubman edition with a wheelbase extended 3 inches and an overall length that's nearly 10 inches greater overall. It will be available starting with the 2008 model year.
"The added length will be almost evenly split between the rear seat and the rear cargo area for those who love the car but said they feel they need more space," said Mini spokesman Andrew Cutler.
Duh! Need more space? It's called the M-I-N-I, not the XXL, for a reason. What’s next, a Mini SUV with four rows of seats for those who think the three rows in a Chevy Suburban isn't enough? Or perhaps a Mini pickup truck aimed to take on the Toyota Tundra?
If memory serves, wasn't there a little two-seater called Thunderbird that sized itself out of the market?
The Clubman will be powered by a choice of a 120-hp, 1.6-liter four-cylinder or a 175-hp, 1.6-liter turbo four-cylinder. A 1.6-liter turbo-diesel will be sold in Europe, not the U.S. The European version will also shut the engine off at idle to conserve fuel. Mini said that feature won't be offered in the U.S.
Both the European and U.S. versions will feature a small rear-hinged access door on the passenger side of the vehicle, behind the passenger door, for easier access to the rear seat.
No word yet on price or mileage — or if an even-bigger version is coming. If you still want more space, buy a Honda Fit.
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i admit it looks a little awkward but just as the mini was a reimagining of the old brit mini, so too is this rooted in the clubman/traveler of old. in europe, a "van" is a little hatchback with a big box in the back. this just strikes me as a way to take advantage of the mini's handling, economy, good looks, etc., in a version that is a little more practical for everyday use. it's still a little little car, just one that could be your only car if you didn't want somehting as big or boring as a toyota matrix.
"If you still want more space, buy a Honda Fit."
Why not buy a Fit in the first place?
I think this ruins the Mini's image. It is known for it's unique mini size. If people need a bigger car, get a bigger car.
I was just at the Mini site the other day to build one and it had cool features to compare it to objects such as a dog, person, the Queen Elizabeth II, and an average sized car. Plus a parking video which shows the advantage over an average car.
I find it highly dissapointing that the option for the car to shut off at idle is not included in the american version. Such a simple idea to save gas and it is not as though anything new would have to be developed.
The all-new Mini XL. As oxymoronic as it is moronic.
I'm not sure why people are seeing this car as an oxymoron, it's still a small car (not to mention the fact that the MINI brand offered a car like this before). If a Honda Fit were as athletic (both in speed and in handling) as a MINI, that'd be one thing, but the fact is that this is a car for people that want the capability of the MINI with a dash more practicality than what the base car offers. It's called giving people what they want folks, and there are at least a couple car companies out there that could learn a thing or two in that regard.
For those who don't know the history of the original Mini, here's a list of the major factory variants of the original:
1) The original Austin 7 and Morris Mini Minor were the familiar small two door saloons (sedans)
2) The Cooper and Cooper S variants were more powerful versions of the original
3) The Wolsley Hornet and Riley Elf had a proper boot (trunk) on the rear and leather and wood trim (still the same wheelbase)
4) There were two estate car variants, the Countryman (Austin) and Traveller (Morris) with a longer wheelbase, split rear doors and optional non-functional real wood framing on the rear half
5) A van version of the estate cars with no rear side windows, a vent in the roof and no wood frame option
6) A pick-up version of the van with a pickup bed instead of the van body. An optional cloth tilt was available
7) The Mini-moke was a Jeep-like variant (can be seen in The Prisoner) which used the normal subframes but used an entirely different body than all the other Minis.
8) The Clubman was a revised original Mini with an enlarged front end, intended to provide more crash protection and look more moderen. It was regarded as rather ugly and was outlived by the original! There was also an estate version of this with a fake wood stripe on the side.
9) The 1275 GT was a Clubman with essentially a detuned Cooper S engine. This model "replaced" the Cooper S (well, it might have in some marketer's eyes...)
So, the new Clubman is reusing arguably the least loved of the Mini variants' names, with an estate car style which was added to the Mini range very soon after the original was introduced. In the light of that, it is hardly ruining the MINI's image as one poster complains, it is simply carrying on what has happened before.
I could care less about what everyone says about how much appeal it will loose. I personally think it will gain even more appeal!!! As to the honda fit vs mini thing... these two cars are not even in the same playing field.. the fit offers practicality economy and a cheap price.. the Mini offers style performance and more but for a completely different audience! I know that i will be in line for the mini clubman in red with the checkered roof and side mirrors... as well as white bonnet stripes!
The Clubman makes Minis Minis no more. BMW cauld market this car, and then it would be acceptable. the thing is, minis sell because they're small. this car isn't small. if they wanted this car in the they wouldn't be in the mini dealership in the first place.
Yes, there is a problem with the mini: it's too small. Also, there is a problem with the hummer, but that doesn't mean the H3 was a good idea. My main gripe is the cacophony of shapes and colors, that make this car look like two different cars glued together as if the designers of the front and the back didn't meet until a day before the car made it off of the line. Brings me back to the days when i wished my corolla was safer, more powerful, and had better traction before realizing that such a car was already out there and was produced by a different manufacturer.
I reallly lov da car n yes of cos da fact d@ its small made me lov it more..I blv da size of da mini is ok,imagine me havin 2 complain n sayin mini is 2 large 4 its nym n expected somethin smaller cum on da manufactures of dis car probably thot bout ol d@ which is y i think its ok lyk d@ as a mini fanatic I also lov da fact d@ it has 3 kinds of mini n dey wer designed in da manner 4 us 2 pick da 1 d@ suits u...so it olredi went its way 2 satisfy u so y nw want a bigger size if its nt ur car its nt sori n live with d@ fact.