2008 MINI Clubman

The new Clubman is more MINI. Or is that less?


When the first, new generation MINI launched in 2002, the recipe was written. Take unique, sporty styling, sprinkle in point-and-shoot handling and park-it-anywhere sizing. Add a dash of affordable pricing, and stir things up. That it did, and buyers responded with wallets in hand. The sales success spawned a convertible sidekick (2004), and four years later, Team MINI is still clicking. Last year, MINI sold 42,000 units in the U.S., and 222,000 worldwide.

Clubman S Style

Since its introduction, about the only recurring rap that's been heard about the MINI was that it was too, uh, MINI. Though brimming with character and a blast to drive, many people found it hard to make a business case for buying one, because it just wasn't big enough to be practical. If front passengers were tall, backseat space came up short. And, the pint-sized cargo capacity (5.7 cu. ft.) couldn't hold enough stuff to fit the lifestyles of a good-sized chunk of the car-buying public. So, as popular as it was with buyers, there were still many others who passed on it, with regrets.


Now, MINI responds, with the introduction of the new Clubman. The idea behind the third and latest addition to the lineup is simple. Take the basic Cooper concept, keep the fun factor, and add some functionality. The process involved putting the MINI on the rack and stretching it out a bit. Clubman is 9.4 inches longer than the standard hard top, and 6.3 of those inches can be found in the cargo area. The wheelbase gains 3.1 inches. Now, as any middle-aged person can tell you, it's one thing to add extra inches—quite another to put them where they'll work in your favor. MINI's added length lands right where the original was lightest: backseat and cargo room. The tale of the tape shows that Clubman has 2.4 inches more rear seat legroom than the standard hardtop (32.3 vs. 29.9), and 3.5 inches cubic feet more cargo capacity.

Unique Doors

You access that added space through a trio of unique portals. A pair of barn doors swing wide to the cargo bay while on the passenger side, a rear, half "Clubdoor" allows easier access to the backseat. With the additional legroom, it's now possible to put six footers in both front and back, with some accommodation among riders. Storage space measures a still small but now usable 9.2 cubic feet. It expands to as much as 32.8 cubic feet with rear seats folded, and there's an additional covered storage bin below floor level. Four tie-downs help secure your gear, and a vinyl screen shields contents from inquiring eyes (although a retractable version would be an improvement over the current, fold back design).