2008 Mini Cooper Clubman
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Mini's reveal at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show was no surprise, and in fact, its new addition hits the streets just one month after coming off the stage. For 2008, Mini's lineup gets a little, well, less mini. The 2008 Mini Cooper Clubman is a stretched Cooper with a third, clamshell-like "Clubdoor." We got the first glimpse of a stretched Mini in concept guise at the 2006 Detroit Auto Show with the Traveller.
Available in base and S versions, Cooper Clubman is powered by a 120-horsepower 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine. Clubman S gets power from a turbocharged 175-horsepower 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine. Both have a standard 6-speed manual or optional 6-speed automatic transmission with a manual mode and steering wheel-mounted paddles. According to Mini, Cooper Clubman S does 0-60 in 7.6 seconds with a top speed of 139 mph.
Clubman seats five and measurers in at 154.4 inches long, about 10 inches longer than the standard-length Cooper. The added length gives rear seat passengers 3.2 inches more legroom than in the coupe. Cargo volume also increased. With its seats folded flat, Clubman offers 32.6 cubic feet of cargo space. With the seats folded flat in the regular Cooper coupe, 24 cubic feet of cargo space is available. Reminiscent of several models in Mini's past, Clubman's third door is hinged at the back of the right rear door. Also distinctive from the regular Cooper coupe and convertible are Clubman's barn-style rear doors instead of the traditional hatch.
Inside, Clubman can be personalized with a choice of four interior colors, a variety of cloth and leather upholstery seating options, and several interior trim choices including English Oak, Piano Black, Fluid Silver, and Brushed Alloy.
Outside, drivers can customize Clubman's body color and trim more than 40 different ways. Exterior body color choices include Chili Red, Pepper White, Mellow Yellow, Astro Black, Sparkling Silver, British Racing Green, Pure Silver, Lightning Blue, Nightfire Red, Dark Silver, Laser Blue, and Hot Chocolate.
Look for Clubman at dealerships starting February 16th. Base models should start at $19,550, and S models at $23,450. What's next for BMW's "expressive and individualistic" brand? Mini announced plans to further expand its lineup with a crossover vehicle. Stay tuned for more.
