Mini Clubvan
The personality and hallmark driving fun of the MINI brand is coming to a
whole new group of customers with the launch of the new MINI Clubvan.
Making its global premiere at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, the
world's first premium compact delivery van has five doors, but only two
seats. That means outstanding levels of practicality and storage, making
it the perfect new member of the team for any business with an eye for
style.
Key to the Clubvan's appeal is its spacious load bay. It extends from
the wide-opening double doors at the back of the vehicle to a sturdy
internal bulkhead immediately behind the driver and passenger seats.
That's made from a solid aluminium lower section with a steel mesh
upper, and stowed cargo can also be accessed through the two rear doors
or via the Clubdoor on the driver's side.
The blocked-out rear side windows are body-coloured and feature interior
polycarbonate reinforcement. Combined with tinted glass in the rear
doors, it means the load compartment is both secure and concealed from
prying eyes.
Inside, the cargo area stretches back 115 cm and, even at its narrowest
point just behind the rear doors, is 102 cm wide. With the bulkhead to
protect the driver and/or passenger, it can be loaded right to the roof
which measures 84cm at its highest point. That means 860 litres of space
and a maximum payload capacity of 500 kg.
The load floor is completely flat for ease-of-use, and both it and the
side walls are trimmed in high-quality upholstery. Above, an anthracite
roof liner runs the full length of the vehicle. Six heavy duty
attachment loops are recessed into the floor at the sides to help
prevent cargo from moving around in transit, while multiple 12-volt
sockets can be used to power electrical equipment.
In common with all MINIs, the Clubvan will offer owners outstanding
driving dynamics. Featuring powertrain and chassis technology from the
Clubman, it comes with powerful and efficient four-cylinder engines.
Three versions will be available; the 72 kW/98 hp MINI One Clubvan, the
90 kW/122 hp MINI Cooper Clubvan and the 82 kW/112 hp MINI Cooper D
Clubvan. All come with MINI's familiar front-wheel-drive set-up,
Electric Power Steering, MacPherson strut front suspension, multi-link
rear suspension and powerful brakes. A six-speed manual transmission is
standard, but an optional six-speed automatic transmission is also
available.
Also standard are MINIMALISM features including Auto Start/Stop, Shift
Point Display, Brake Energy Regeneration and on-demand operation of
ancillary units. These will help business users keep a tight rein on
fuel consumption and offers exceptionally low running costs. For
example, the MINI Cooper D Clubvan offers official combined fuel economy
of 72.4 mpg, meanwhile CO2 emissions of just 103 g/km put the vehicle
into an exceptionally low tax bracket.
Built in Britain at Plant Oxford, the Clubvan is true to the
now-familiar MINI design language and features the same classic lines
that have become the hallmark of the brand. Based on the Clubman
platform, its exterior dimensions are identical to those of its sibling.
It's 3,961 mm long, 1,683 mm wide and 1,426 mm high, with a wheelbase
of 2,547 mm. The Clubvan is the seventh unique member of the MINI
family, selling alongside the Clubman, Hatch, Convertible, Countryman,
Coupe and Roadster.
It is the first commercial vehicle to be offered since the MINI brand
was relaunched under BMW's ownership in 2001. Because of that
classification business users can claim back their VAT.
The newcomer's heritage can be traced back to 1960, when the original
Mini - launched a year earlier - was joined in showrooms by the Morris
Mini Van. With an extra 10cm in the wheelbase, closed-off load
compartment and split rear door, it offered exactly the sort of
workhorse capability that urban commercial users of the time required.
The new Clubvan is bringing that tradition of MINI practicality right up
to date, while adding the brand's modern values of outstanding driving
performance, high standard specification and exceptional style. The
Clubvan comes with much higher specification than any comparable van in
the segment with items such as DAB radio, air-conditioning, electric
windows, anti-theft alarm and side and head airbags included as
standard.
The MINI Clubvan is available in four exterior colours - Pepper White,
Ice Blue, British Racing Green metallic and Midnight Black metallic. The
roof, rear side window area, C-pillars and exterior mirror caps are
body-coloured on all versions. The standard 15-inch Delta-spoke alloy
wheels, which are exclusive to the MINI Clubvan, can be replaced by
alternative 15, 16 or 17-inch alloy wheel designs.
Inside, black seats with Cosmos fabric upholstery, a black interior
colour scheme and Fine White Silver trim strips are standard. The
specification has been carefully considered to be in keeping with the
functional and practical character of the vehicle. However, the interior
can be customised to suit individual requirements. Options include
black sports seats, which are available in Ray Cloth/Leather, Punch
Leather or Lounge Leather.
Like every other MINI, the Clubvan can be personalised from the brand's
extensive range of optional extras. These enhance comfort, convenience,
driving enjoyment, safety and practicality. Expected to prove popular
are xenon headlights, black headlight shells, adaptive headlights,
automatic climate control, park distance control, automatically dimming
interior and exterior mirrors and a trailer hitch. The optional MINI
navigation system, as well as MINI Connected, with the Google send to
car service will keep the Clubvan heading in the right direction on its
delivery runs.
The MINI Clubvan brings a new blend of sophistication and style to the
business sector. Its blend of practicality and premium features means
commercial customers could include caterers, event planners, small
retail businesses or photographers. However, it will also appeal to some
drivers with outdoor-based adventure hobbies such as cycling or
mountaineering, where high-value equipment needs to be kept secure.
Retail prices, excluding VAT:
MINI One Clubvan: £11,175
MINI Cooper Clubvan: £12,475
MINI Cooper D Clubvan: £13,600
