Spy Shots: MINI Traveller/Clubman
The MINI Traveller, or as it should now be officially called, the Clubman, has been revealed to us in concept form as well as heavily camouflaged spy pics, but these new spy shots found on The Car Connection reveal a completely undisguised mule undergoing testing. Sporting a wheelbase probably longer than the original MINI itself, the Traveller adds at least a foot to the length of the standard MINI. Rear passengers will be able to access their seats through a rear-hinged suicide door on the passenger side, but as you can see from the pic, the driver's side sports a side window that's one long expanse of uninterrupted glass. No suicide door on that side, thank you very much. The benefit of the Traveller's extra inches seem relegated solely to additional space behind the rear bench, effectively making a MINI with a big trunk. While the look is all MINI, hopefully BMW engineers can maintain the same sharp handling and go-kart steering that makes the swb MINI so fun to drive. [Source: The Car Connection]
Related posts:
Spy Photos: 2008 MINI Traveller
MINI Traveller redubbed Clubman
MINI to show special version of Traveller concept in Detroit
MINI Clubman opens its doors
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Dardoz 7:38PM (1/11/2007)
I dont know if I love it or hate it, its still in the weird category
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Mini Cooper videos 7:44PM (1/11/2007)
One thing is for sure, it is not as desirable as the Mini Cooper, this is more like a utility vehicle.
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Kumar 9:32PM (1/11/2007)
Nice ride. It's probable the driver's side suicide door was axed to increase crash protecting in the new t-boned-by-a-big-ass-suv crash test, since it tests only that side of the vehicle.
I like the roofline and the prospect of real rear set room. Through the diesel in that thing we'll talk.
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Northeaster 1:43AM (1/12/2007)
They should make them even longer - might be able to sell them as hearses.
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alex 8:27AM (1/12/2007)
What about the English version? Are the passengers going to go out of the car on the traffic side?
And if there is a different version for each market (righ-hand and left-hand drive), Why don´t put the doors on both sides and save the development of two different panels?
Adding to this I think the car looks ugly and it wont sell well...
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JON C 9:28AM (1/12/2007)
They need to do a 2 door coupe with a trunk(boot?) and then make a convertible version available to grow the brand.this would be a great way to capitalize on the low end of the performance car market with a 2002 coupe type product, without dilluting BMW luxury/techno/performance brand equity that would happen with a de-contented(25k territory) BMW in this segment.
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smooth sailin 9:35AM (1/12/2007)
Proportions don't work.the elongated rear make it look like a doggy hearse.
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Austin 10:31AM (1/12/2007)
They should put an extra door on the drivers side - would make it easier for single parents to grab their kids out of the back seat.
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dionysus 11:38AM (1/12/2007)
Hahaha.. it's like a dachshund "long in body and short of leg."
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Owain Ozymandias Buck 11:28AM (1/17/2007)
I like it! Screw looks!--although I happen to think it's pretty good. Really funky.
If this thing handles anything like it's bob-tailed sibling, I'm all in. Well, if I could afford one.
All it needs now is a real roof rack!
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