MINI unveiled their new 2016 Clubman, the quirky version which just grew up a bit now running the risk of being an oxymoron. It is after all the largest MINI ever.
It’s no longer simply a stretched out Cooper with extra doors but an enlarged and separate model – the un-MINI if you will. The new 2016 MINI Clubman is nearly 11-inches longer and almost 3-inches wider than the MINI Hardtop 4-door, pitting it against sport wagons from Volkswagen and Volvo.
It’s all part of a repositioning of the MINI brand more upscale. And in so doing they’re being more out with its association with BMW by using feature content and marketing terms the two brands share, such as TwinPower and Steptronic.
This can be found under the hood where available engines include a 1.5 liter 134 horsepower 3-cylinder TwinPower turbocharged engine and a larger 2.0 liter 4-cylinder variant with 189 horsepower. Both engines are shared with BMW as is the 8-speed Steptronic transmission.
The interior is cavernous by MINI standards, offering rear-seat passengers generous space in every direction. With the rear seats folded, the cargo area expands to a never before seen 48 cubic feet. And of course that’s still accessed by Clubman’s trademark dual swinging doors.
Styling for the most part breaks no new ground, looking and feeling like a MINI from virtually every angle, other than looking well, not mini. The rear tail lamps are the one exception to the rule, with a new elongated look which while a pushing anew, still look “English” in some way.
The new 2016 Clubman is closely related in chassis architecture to the upcoming 2016 BMW X1, and will likely at some point to offer an ALL4 all-wheel drive option in a more off-road oriented model. Countryman anyone?
The new 2016 MINI Clubman will be available in both Cooper and Cooper S, going on sale in North America early in 2016. Pricing will be announced this coming September.
