Photo: MINI
The most talked about model in the BMW Group’s line-up today is definitely the new MINI Clubman. A lot of people have criticized the company for moving up a step in the automotive segments, but few of them have actually stopped to learn about why they did it.
Yes, the Clubman has become the biggest MINI offered today, being nearly 30 cm (12 inches) longer than the 5-door hatch. Once again, this was a planned move, as the company is looking to take a bite out of the premium compact segment that will supposedly grow a lot in the future.
The thing is, while writing this article, I couldn’t actually find a model that the Clubman will be rivaling when it goes on sale. The closest thing that came to mind was the Audi A3 Sportback, the old one, not the current hatch. However, that car is no longer in production so I was left with the Golf Variant. That’s still on sale and the pricing seems to indicate that it will be the direct rival for MINI’s new model. One problem though: it’s not a premium car.
So what car will represent the direct competition for the MINI? Well, it’s still an unknown fact but in the meantime, we have the pricing for the new car which has become the most expensive one in the range.
The MINI Cooper Clubman will start at £19,995 OTR and it will be fitted with a 3-cylinder 1.5-liter turbocharged petrol engine good for 136 HP and 220 Nm (136 lb-ft) of torque. According to the British company, it should return around 55.4 mpg.
The MINI Cooper S Clubman will be at least £22,755 and it will be the fastest and most powerful model in the range for now. Using a 2-liter 4-cylinder turbocharged mill making 192 HP and 280 Nm of torque, it should return 45 to 48 mpg.
Last but not least we have the £22,265 Cooper D Clubman that is brand new to the range. It uses a new 2-liter 4-cylinder diesel engine that wasn’t fitted to any other MINI so far. It makes 150 HP and 330 Nm of torque and should be good for 68 mpg.
As you can see, the prices are pretty steep, on average around £3,000 more than for an equivalent 5-door hatch. The added space and practicality should make up for it. At least in theory. Ordering books will be open starting next week.
The thing is, while writing this article, I couldn’t actually find a model that the Clubman will be rivaling when it goes on sale. The closest thing that came to mind was the Audi A3 Sportback, the old one, not the current hatch. However, that car is no longer in production so I was left with the Golf Variant. That’s still on sale and the pricing seems to indicate that it will be the direct rival for MINI’s new model. One problem though: it’s not a premium car.
So what car will represent the direct competition for the MINI? Well, it’s still an unknown fact but in the meantime, we have the pricing for the new car which has become the most expensive one in the range.
The MINI Cooper Clubman will start at £19,995 OTR and it will be fitted with a 3-cylinder 1.5-liter turbocharged petrol engine good for 136 HP and 220 Nm (136 lb-ft) of torque. According to the British company, it should return around 55.4 mpg.
The MINI Cooper S Clubman will be at least £22,755 and it will be the fastest and most powerful model in the range for now. Using a 2-liter 4-cylinder turbocharged mill making 192 HP and 280 Nm of torque, it should return 45 to 48 mpg.
Last but not least we have the £22,265 Cooper D Clubman that is brand new to the range. It uses a new 2-liter 4-cylinder diesel engine that wasn’t fitted to any other MINI so far. It makes 150 HP and 330 Nm of torque and should be good for 68 mpg.
As you can see, the prices are pretty steep, on average around £3,000 more than for an equivalent 5-door hatch. The added space and practicality should make up for it. At least in theory. Ordering books will be open starting next week.
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