Design
Identical to the 3-door hatchback from the B-pillar forward, the Clubman features a length increased by 240 mm, an 80 mm longer wheelbase, increased rear-seat leg room and cargo space deeper by 160 mm, providing an increased 260 L of space – growing from a total of 680 to 920 L with the rear seats folded. The Clubman model weighs 64 kg more than its two-door counterpart.
The Clubman features access to its cargo space via bi-parting rear doors, known as barn doors or splitdoors. The passenger doors configuration and split rear cargo doors of the Clubman made it a unique model on the market at the time of release.[4] Also, all Clubman models feature a single backwards opening side door to access the rear seats. The first generation was the first Mini to have a so-called suicide door, but the second generation does not have one. It is marketed singularly as the Clubdoor, and is always located on its right side of the body – irrespective of market. It is much smaller in comparison to the regular driver and passenger side doors. This in turn creates differences between right and left-hand drive markets. In right-hand drive markets, the steering wheel won't allow the driver's seat to fold and slide as far forward as the passenger seat. This means that left-hand drive models have better rear seat access. For right-hand drive markets, including the car's home market, the Clubdoor is located on the road side of the car, requiring rear passengers to exit into the road.[5]
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) variations.
In 2011, the special edition Hampton was unveiled and comprised a Reef Blue metallic paint with a black roof, black leather seats, Damson Red bonnet stripes and interior detailing and Anthracite instruments borrowed from the Mini John Cooper Works.[6]
In 2013, the company unveiled the Clubman Bond Street, named after a prestigious shopping destination in the West End of London, featuring exclusive and stylish appointments inside and out.[7] The colour combination was Midnight black with Cool Champagne for the roof.[8]
Specifications
Four-cylinder engine, automatic transmission and manual transmission options are identical to those used in the corresponding hatchback models, except for the 66 kW 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.[9]
In 2011 the Peugeot DV6 (Ford DLD-416) engine used in the diesel models was replaced with 1.6L BMW N47 engines. The 2.0L version of the BMW engine appeared for the first time in the range for the Cooper SD versions.
The Clubman comes with 6 airbags, stability control, brake assist and electronic brakeforce distribution.
Cargo area
The cargo area of the first generation Clubman received mixed reviews. Although it was far bigger than the Mini Hatch, most critics still believed that it was too small in comparison to one of its main competitors, the Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen. Many complaints were also cited about the boot/trunk. The car area aft of the B pillar was said to suffer high levels of road noise, especially at high speeds. Also, the rear seats did not fold flat with the load floor. Critics also said that the "storage package", which included options such as a 12V power outlet, perimeter lighting, and nets, should have been a standard fitting on the vehicle.
Clubvan
The light commercial, panel van 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,[10] a pre-production version was shown at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.[11] 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 passenger wagon.[12]
