It’s pretty obvious by now that what happened with the Clubman wasn’t an accident. Those that are still complaining about the new MINI and that it’s too big for the brand should get a reality check. Since when did the name of a company start being the same as the size of the cars they should make?
Some people should understand that just because the British brand has that name, it doesn’t mean that all of their cars should be small in size. Sure, most of them will be because they are inspired by the old models of the 1960s and 1970s but as time goes by, new ideas need to be put in production.
Yes, the Clubman is a lot bigger than we expected but that was the point, as the brand is looking to move upmarket, and it will be entering the premium compact segment with this 6-door car, a daring move that could prove successful.
Since most of the tech facts will be similar to the rest of the range, the only difference between it and the hatches for example, remain the design cues, styling and practicality approach.
The Clubman is, by far, the most practical car in today’s MINI range. The barn-style doors at the back will be of great help trying to get things in and out of the car. They also make it stand out in the crowd, something the brand is quite known for.
What attracts this particular editor the most is the interior though. Don’t get me wrong, the exterior is ok but wears too much of the other models on it. The front fascia is basically the same as on the hatch and so is the side profile. Round the back, the new taillights make a difference but it’s inside where the magic happens.
The new seats, the new design of the dash and the overall feeling inside the cabin makes the whole thing fresh, and it’s done using familiar buttons and knobs from the hatch versions. That's a feat that’s not easy to achieve. At least that’s how it all seems from the video posted below.