2008 MINI Clubman Greets America
North America rolled out the welcome mat for the 2008 MINI Clubman today amidst news of the new model's pricing in the U.S. A MINI Clubman (or MINI Cooper Clubman) will cost $20,600, while a Cooper S Clubman will go for $24,100, inclusive of destination charges.
That price reflects a modest step up from the Cooper and Cooper S, which go for $1,900 and $2,250 less in the states. The 2008 convertibles will still cost more than the Clubman, at $22,600 and 26,050.
MINI claims the Clubman opens up a "totally-new market segment," but in reality the Clubman is still a small sedan. An interestingly designed sedan, but a sedan nonetheless.
The five-door Clubman is laid out with two passenger-side doors - one of which is a suicide door called the "Clubdoor" - two rear doors, and one driver-side doors. The wheelbase on the Clubman is over three inches longer than that of the Cooper, helping to give significantly more room for rear passengers. Family's with two young children will find the Clubman to be a somewhat reliable option, as it will be a bit easier to get child safety seats in and out. Unfortunately, the lack of a door behind the driver may still be a put off for these buyers.
With split-rear doors at the back, MINI Clubman owners will find it easier to load and unload bulky items into the boot, although a hatchback with a higher placed hinge may have connected this model with the Cooper a little more. Still, with significantly more room in the boot, and a body length over 9 inches longer than the Cooper, the Clubman seems to be a solid option for anyone who feels as though they have outgrown their MINI.
The American market is a very important one for MINI, which saw 150,000 sales in its first five years. This may be the single biggest problem with the car: will it only be bought by current and former MINI Cooper owners, or will MINI be able to attract new customers with the Clubman?
Press Release
NEW MINI CLUBMAN MAKES NORTH AMERICAN DEBUT AT LOS ANGELES INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW
11/14/2007
New Member of MINI Family Offers Flexibility, Fun and Performance
Woodcliff Lake, NJ - November 14, 2007... The 2008 MINI Clubman, an all-new addition to the MINI model line, has just made its North American debut today at the Los Angeles International Auto Show, bowing to the audience most unconventionally, with its rear-end first! With a little more room in the back and an innovative door configuration, the eagerly anticipated MINI Clubman defies convention in its concept and style. This all new addition to the MINI family will go on sale in the US February 16th, 2008 as both a Cooper and a Cooper S model. The MINI Cooper Clubman will be offerd with a MSRP of $20,600, while the MINI Cooper S Clubman will come with a MSRP of $24,100. Both prices include a $650 Destination charge.
The MINI Clubman paves the way into a totally-new market segment, offering new opportunities for the MINI brand and showcasing, yet again, MINI's leadership in the premium small car segment. With its hallmark design elements, the MINI Clubman is clearly a MINI from every angle. Yet it is the MINI Clubman's unique rear-end design and new proportions that distinguish it from other members of the MINI family and make it unlike anything else on the road today.
Compelling Design and Five Doors in a Brand-New Configuration.
MINI is well known for its combination of successful attributes - a truly unique design; agile driving characteristics; premium quality; a high level of safety; a wide range of customization options, and outstanding efficiency. Now the all-new MINI Clubman offers another compelling attribute - an additional 9.45 inches in body length and wheelbase extended by 3.15 inches that helps create more space in the rear legroom area. What makes the MINI Clubman truly unique is its innovative five door configuration with the conventional driver's and front passenger's door supplemented by an additional rear-hinged door on the right-hand side of the car and the two split-rear doors in the back.
The MINI Clubman extends an open welcome to rear-seat passengers with the "Clubdoor", a rather ingenious door configuration on the right side of the vehicle. The Clubdoor swings open in the opposing direction relative to the main passenger door to dramatically increase the access to the rear seating area. Behind the front seats, the new MINI Clubman offers remarkable rear seating comfort and flexible use of space. Rear seat passengers now enjoy 3.15 inches more legroom compared to the MINI hardtop. Without an exterior handle, the Clubdoor is integrated unobtrusively into the body design of the MINI Clubman and for safety, can only be opened with the adjoining front door open. The MINI Clubman comes to the US in a four passenger configuration.
The split-rear doors at the back of the MINI Clubman are another unique design element of the MINI Clubman and open up to offer easy and convenient access for larger parcels and equipment such as sports gear. In addition to increased functionality, the split-rear doors represent a modern interpretation of an authentic detail seen on MINI's classic forerunners. The rear doors are further highlighted with the C-pillars painted in a contrasting silver or black finish. Inside, the generous luggage compartment may be further extended with a flexible rear seat configuration, offering very easy and convenient loading options thanks to the two rear doors.
The MINI Clubman is the modern successor to the legendary classics Morris Mini Traveller, Austin Mini Countryman, and Mini Clubman Estate. However, the MINI Clubman retains all the functionality, handling and performance characteristics that one expects in a thoroughly modern MINI.
Enhanced Function With MINI Performance and Driving Characteristics.
MINI has developed the new MINI Clubman specifically for the active and passionate individualist wishing to consciously stand out. The MINI Clubman retains its sporting character, while offering new and flexible options in interior use and practical value. Despite its slightly longer proportions the MINI Clubman retains MINI's typical "wheels at the four corners" stance and the car's driving characteristics still offer the legendary go-kart feeling unique to MINI.
The MINI Clubman will be available in the U.S. with two different engines:
* Powered by a 1.6-liter four-cylinder with twin-scroll turbocharger, direct gasoline injection and maximum output of 175 hp at an engine speed of 5,500 rpm, the MINI Cooper S Clubman offers the highest level of performance.
* The MINI Cooper Clubman, benefiting from its 1.6-liter four-cylinder developing 120 hp at 6,600 rpm and featuring fully variable valve management, offers impressive performance and economy.
More Than 40 Color Combinations for the Individualist
Motoring in a MINI is more than just getting from A to B - it is an expression of ones' lifestyle - a genuine attitude towards life. In particular, it is the focus on the enjoyment and experience of driving combined with an appreciation of powerful, trendsetting design. The MINI Clubman offers the enthusiast even greater options in personalizing his or her style, with more than 40 combinations of the exterior paintwork alone. Add to that the full compliment of options and features and the possible combinations a MINI Clubman can be configured becomes almost limitless.
http://www.worldcarfans.com/9071115.014/mini2/2008-mini-clubman-greets-americahttp://www.worldcarfans.com/9071115.014/mini3/2008-mini-clubman-greets-americahttp://www.worldcarfans.com/9071115.014/mini4/2008-mini-clubman-greets-americahttp://www.worldcarfans.com/9071115.014/mini5/2008-mini-clubman-greets-americahttp://www.worldcarfans.com/9071115.014/mini6/2008-mini-clubman-greets-americahttp://www.worldcarfans.com/9071115.014/mini7/2008-mini-clubman-greets-americahttp://www.worldcarfans.com/9071115.014/mini8/2008-mini-clubman-greets-americahttp://www.worldcarfans.com/9071115.014/mini9/2008-mini-clubman-greets-americahttp://www.worldcarfans.com/9071115.014/mini10/2008-mini-clubman-greets-americahttp://www.worldcarfans.com/9071115.014/mini11/2008-mini-clubman-greets-america
http://www.worldcarfans.com/9071115.014/2008-mini-clubman-greets-america
