[minicabrio]

Yesterday, a few folks from within the MINI owners community were lucky enough to attend a VIP preview of the New MINI Clubman. For those of you who weren't there, hopefully this will be the next best thing, with plenty of pictures to keep you entertained!!

After a reception in the visitors lounge at Plant Oxford, we were ushered through into the presentation area. Here we were greeted by our first MINI Clubman - although it was far from complete!!

Here we see a bodyshell of a Lightning Blue Cooper S Clubman. Interesting to see how large the Club Door makes the side opening, and the construction of the floorpan....

[minicabrio]

We were then treated to a presentation by Dirk, a member of the MINI Design team based in Munich.

Dirk pulled the covers of a Pepper White and Black Cooper D Clubman, and then explained the design and development process behind the Clubman, from initial sketches, to clay modelling, to the final design build.

Meanwhile, off to our left, under the cover of darkness, we could see three MINI Clubmans waiting for us!! With so many people itching to clamber over the cars I snapped a couple of moody shots of the cars waiting for us

There were four cars in the hall. The Pepper white Cooper D on the stage, a Nightfire Red Cooper with silver roof, a Hot Chocolate Cooper D with silver roof, and a Lightning Blue Cooper S with silver roof.

Here's a look at the three cars in more detail, once the lights came on

[minicabrio]

The first of the three cars was a Nightfire Red Cooper Clubman, complete with silver roof and rear trim.... here are a few pictures for you

[minicabrio]

The second car was finished in the exclusive Clubman colour Hot Chocolate. Under the lights the metallic fleck in the paintwork looked stunning, confirmed by MINI Design team member Dirk, who said the colour looked stunning under daylight

Fitted with Crown Spoke 17" wheels, chrome line exterior and the Lounge Leather interior in Hot Chocolate, this car really did look the part

Not the best picture in the world, but this shot really shows how amazing the Hot Chocolate colour will look in the sunshine

[minicabrio]

The third car in the hall was the Lightning Blue Cooper S Clubman, wearing the very sexy 17" Pace Spoke alloy wheels which are exclusive to the MINI Clubman range.

This car also had the chrome line exterior whcih, in my opinion, suits the bumpers on the Clubman better than those on the standard hatchback.

Anyway, some pictures for you

[minicabrio]

As good looking at the New MINI Clubman is, we couldn't attend the event and simply drool over its looks - we had to see if it really is more practical.

I'm 6ft5, and very well built, and to be honest, I find getting in and out of the rear of any MINI a chore - lucky it doesn't happen to often!! The addition of the Club door on the Clubman, really does make rear access for full size adults easier though, and here I am, sat in the back of a Clubman (I think I was trying to say there's room for one more )!!

Four adults in, and ready to go!! Check out the knee space behind the driver!! Loads of room!

So, on to the boot space. The shape of the boot is certainly much more useable than on the hatch. There is a load divider creating a well under the flat boot floor to keep valuables out of sight. This can be folded out the way to give a deeper boot space for tall items.

On to the burning question that's on the tip of everyones tongue - can you fit a six foot six Brummie into the boot of a Clubman (with the rear seats in place) and still shut the doors? YES - you can!!!!

[minicabrio]

The Clubman in any form really is a worthy addition to the MINI range.... its has the hatchbacks great engine range, more interior space and flexibility and some really funky features.

The new colour Hot Chocolate was a brave choice given most people misconceptions about the colour brown, but it suits the car perfectly, as do the new exclusive Pace spoke alloy wheels.

This car will appeal to so many people. People with young families will be glad of the extra carrying capacity, people who have to carry tools and equipment for work will be able to make use of it also. Sportsmen and women who have large equipment to carry at last don't have to resort to the mundane world of the Focus or Golf...

Well done MINI.

Special thanks must go to Paul Mullet who generously passed on the tickets

I'll leave you with a few more pics

Thanks for reading,

Jon

All the pictures, and their high resolution versions are available here:
MINI Clubman Preview Day - Oct '07 - a photoset on Flickr

[mad brummie]

fantastic pics Jon

[Joogle]

Brilliant piccies

Who is that in the back of the S Clubman?

Edit: - I think thats Mad Brummie........???

[mad brummie]

Yup it was me! just had to be done! Leave no test undone!

[Joogle]

Thanks for taking the Photos for us at the end of the day!!
(I was in with the BMC lot....)

[EMZ]

Love your pics Jon
Think its time to get my pennies together and say goobye to Daisy
Don't tell her

[mad brummie]

oh was that you! i had no idea who i was talking to! did they come out ok, they looked a bit dark and the one i took on mine was the same.

[Joogle]

You were talking to Dave the Chairman I was the big fella with the glasses......

[mad brummie]

ahhh i'm with you, sorry we didn't get to meet properly.

[Minnie Mouse]

Excellent photos and reports Jon!

Felt like I was there too

[neston4nomads]

The clubman was fantastic, did anyone else see the lightening blue clubman parked outside at the other end of the carpark, it was the same as the one inside, but it still had all of its badges covered but it looked really brilliant in proper daylight

[M111 CGC]

A great day out, paricularly for those like us who are patiently(!) waiting for our Clubman orders to be built.

Better still, on the way up from Newbury we passed a BRG/Silver Clubman heading south on the A34, then on the way back a Hot Chocolate/Silver heading North!

Chris & Helen

[smartbomb]

Great pics !
Had a great day and the food was a good as the cars !

[supa-dupa-cooper]

Great piccies Jon

Though im still gonna get you for taking one of me