MINI Clubvan: I See What You Did There

by Derek Kreindler

Published: February 19th, 2012

MINI will unveil their new Clubvan (isn’t that clever), a Clubman-based van with the rear seats removed and a metal screen placed in the back to separate the cargo compartment from the two seats up front.

Apart from that, not much else has changed. MINI also wants to gain “…new popularity among target groups not previously on the Mini radar.” It may be a substitute for the Chevrolet HHR Panel Van or (and this is a stretch) the Ford Transit Connect, but I’d rather buy a Clubvan outfitted in Cooper S JCW trim and have a factory lightened car for track days and the like. The Clubman’s long wheelbase doesn’t detract from the MINI’s trademark handling characteristics, and the extra space means room for tires, tools and a helmet bag.

Derek Kreindler

More by Derek Kreindler

Comments

Join the conversation

2 of 33 comments

JustPassinThru on Feb 20, 2012

It also may make sense for light delivery companies, who think about resale value as well as purchase and operating cost. After many years of Dominos Pizza using Chevettes and Metros as delivery cars, in the mid-1980s they started using S-10s Reason, I was told, was that those things kept resale value much better than the others. I don't know what they're using now; most pizza delivery drivers use their own heaps, and like it that way - they get mileage. But for florists, parts stores, couriers...if the company can afford the initial layout, they might do better as a total cost of operation.

Like Reply
Obruni on Feb 20, 2012

this sort of body style in France is called the societe or affaires, and many cars can be ordered this way: Clios, Pandas, Golfs, 207s, Fiestas, etc corporate car fleets should eat these up.

Like Reply

Recent Comments

ToolGuy First picture: I realize that opinions vary on the height of modern trucks, but that entry door on the building is 80 inches tall and hits just below the headlights. Does anyone really believe this is reasonable?Second picture: I do not believe that is a good parking spot to be able to access the bed storage. More specifically, how do you plan to unload topsoil with the truck parked like that? Maybe you kids are taller than me.
ToolGuy The other day I attempted to check the engine oil in one of my old embarrassing vehicles and I guess the red shop towel I used wasn't genuine Snap-on (lots of counterfeits floating around) plus my driveway isn't completely level and long story short, the engine seized 3 minutes later.No more used cars for me, and nothing but dealer service from here on in (the journalists were right).
Doughboy Wow, Merc knocks it out of the park with their naming convention… again. /s
Doughboy I’ve seen car bras before, but never car beards. ZZ Top would be proud.
Bkojote Allright, actual person who knows trucks here, the article gets it a bit wrong.First off, the Maverick is not at all comparable to a Tacoma just because they're both Hybrids. Or lemme be blunt, the butch-est non-hybrid Maverick Tremor is suitable for 2/10 difficulty trails, a Trailhunter is for about 5/10 or maybe 6/10, just about the upper end of any stock vehicle you're buying from the factory. Aside from a Sasquatch Bronco or Rubicon Jeep Wrangler you're looking at something you're towing back if you want more capability (or perhaps something you /wish/ you were towing back.)Now, where the real world difference should play out is on the trail, where a lot of low speed crawling usually saps efficiency, especially when loaded to the gills. Real world MPG from a 4Runner is about 12-13mpg, So if this loaded-with-overlander-catalog Trailhunter is still pulling in the 20's - or even 18-19, that's a massive improvement.