Split windows might look cool but who really wants a huge obstruction in the middle of the rear window!?!

[...] [ MINI Clubman ] Leftlanenews.com [...]

That big black junk is not going to be on the production model obviously.

Very cool.

Cool, but bad for the British and Japanese….why BMW is going to risk this in one of MINI’s main markets is really strange to me. BMW now admitingly cutting corners….not good.

Maybe follow this up with a limo version with max stretching.

very cool car! i love the original travellers and such. very collectible now.

I think the Clubman doesn’t look that good, nor will it sell very well. Who will buy this car? Teenagers who need more room for their surfboard? Or fashionable 40-year old women who need more luggage space in a Mini for their shopping? Or perhaps the man from the bakery who wants a Mini to add public awareness to his local business??

As to the right-hand drive markets, I’m surprised that the Mini, which has its origins in Britain, will not be fitted with the door on the other side… So much for heritage.

The answer to the question nobody asked.

Fugly. This one clashes with the previous Mini models’ design, IMO.

I don’t get it? If you’re buying a Mini you’re not buying the space & practicality…you’re buying the “go kart” feel, that connection to the road that is hard to find in other vehicles. The clubman effectively gets rid of that by adding weight, length & a lower power to weight ratio. If you want a damn wagon buy a Mazda or Subaru.

How much is it gonna cost?

Actually since they reduced the weight, by about 68 lbs I think I read, of the next gen MINI compared to the previous gen MINI I doubt the Traveler/Clubman will weigh much more then the 2002-2006 MINI Cooper. Also keep in mind that the size differance here is very minimium. When it comes down to it a similarly optioned 2007-2008 MINI Cooper S will probably weigh within 100 lbs of a 2008-2009 MINI Traveler S.

BMW has plans to make the MINI brand their FWD brand to exspand their marketshare some. You already have four models right now basicly and the Traverl/Clubman will add two more. Old minis and Ausins also had pickup versions and panel van versions but I don’t see BMW bringing those back. They might be able to squezze one more model out of MINI but I am not sure which one it will be.

[...] Vía: LeftLaneNews Archivado en: Compactos, Mini, Adelantos [...]

1. For all of you calling this ‘fugly’, remember this is a *pre-production*, engineering test mule. They’re evaluating things like handling, body integrity, door functioning, etc… They’ll make it all pretty after they figure out the hard stuff. Just compare any testing spy shot and the final version, M’kay?

2. As to who will buy it, think guys who like the Mini coupe as a daily driver but need to occasionally haul around the family. They already own an SUV/station wagon/crossover/minivan so they want something sportier and not so huge (yeah, that would be guys like me…)
The other key market would be women who like the Mini but would use this as a primary vehicle for a small family.

BMW really needs to reconsider the door issue… while they are expressing concern that the RHD markets might not like the one rear-hinged door on the wrong side, I think they are underestimating the US market as well, which has grown accustomed to having access doors on BOTH sides of the small cars and pickups that have offered them before. Judging by the spy pics that appear to have both doors, the fuel system seems to be out of the way enough to keep both, so why not? If this is supposed to be the more “practical” Mini, wouldn’t more doors be better? IMO, the two swinging doors in the rear are the most questionable element of this design, not the side half-doors.

there isnt any split windows, it’s part of the plastic covers they put on it

Taking a closer look at the pictures, some interesting items:

1. These are three separate mules. There are three different licence plates (MNP4393, MPT4363, and MUY4383) and each vehicle has different wheels. MNP4393 is labeled ‘Chris’ on the driver’s quarter panel, MPT4363 also has a label but it’s hard to make out (’Dominique’ maybe?)

2. MNP4393 has an extended moon-roof covering 2/3’s of the roof area. It appears similar to the Panoramic Roof option, which should give you an idea of how much the frame has been stretched.

3. The rear door panel on MPT4363 has an interesting offset vertical seam that runs right behind the licence plate. This doesn’t appear to be an opening, just a plastic cladding split. The single wiper appears to sweep the entire window, which would have problems if the door were split. As RustedEmpire noted, the blocked section of the window is cladding. Prediction: The rear hatch will be a traditional setup: single piece, roof hinged, and opens upwards.

4. On the rear doors: There seems to be no difference between the area behind the front doors on either side of the vehicle. Looking at the gas cap placement, there’s no reason why they can’t put a door just ahead of it. Furthermore, I seriously doubt BMW would design a vehicle that wouldn’t sell in key markets like the UK & Japan. Prediction: The Clubman will had half-width suicide doors (like the current Mazda RX-8) on both sides.

Conclusion: The rumors about asymetric doors and split rear hatch aren’t supported by the pictures.

Back when the Traveler concept was first launched it was said that the split door would not go into production because of cost cutting measures.

I really don’t think they will do the split tailgate doors.

i wouldnt ever buy this grandma wagon