Filed under: Wagons/Estates, Etc., MINI, Lifestyle
Clarkson considers the MINI Clubman "a toilet"
For all of his popularity and sceptered isle wit, it's probable that Jeremy Clarkson hasn't kept anyone from buying a car they really wanted. Which is a good thing for MINI and those folks looking at a Clubman, because Jezza has this to say about it: "About as desirable as a packet of dung or a can of worms."
Most of his issues with the car are sensible: the third door is on the wrong side for the Brits, no rear visibility due to the split rear doors, massive torque steer, tramlining, and a (still) tiny boot. His other problem with the car doesn't really strike us as a problem: according to Clarkson, the car's natural cruising speed is 110-MPH. Um... that's what cruise control is for... or paying attention to the flow of traffic... because it's not like you could need a larger speedo to keep better track of your progress.
As always, it's an entertaining read, if full of digressions. But as we said, we don't think it will keep even one MINI Clubman from finding a good, private home. For all of its perceived and/or actual shortcomings, MINI is practically the entire reason that the noun "lifestyle" became an adjective, and lifestyle purchases operate on principles that have nothing to do with torque steer and boot volume.
[Source: London Times]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Fabri91 4:24PM (12/26/2007)
Useless car, agree with jezza.
Small, expensive, ugly, expensive, useless.
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Ducky 4:31PM (12/26/2007)
It looks like Autoblog is slightly offended with JC's review. I hope they enjoyed the Christmas episode of Top Gear then, where the Mini Clubman took the worst car of the year award lol
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Mel R. 8:19PM (12/26/2007)
I thought the worst car award went to the G-Whiz?
Rocketboy 4:37PM (12/26/2007)
Yes, too bad for the MINI Clubman. They are so un-popular that they are hard to buy in the UK.
Oh wait, I have that backwards, they are so POPULAR that they are hard to buy in the UK. Whoops, silly me.
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Kamil 4:38PM (12/26/2007)
I don't get the Mini Clubman. If I wanted a car that is bigger than the Mini, I would buy a car that's bigger than the Mini, not a bigger Mini.
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JohnnyRyall 5:27PM (12/26/2007)
There you go with that logic and rationality again. Those things never did anyone any good. I'm holding out for the 5 door FWD Miata though.
Jason 4:47PM (12/26/2007)
Rocketboy, let us please not confuse popular with "good".
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FThorn 10:26AM (12/27/2007)
Jason @ Dec 26th 2007 4:47PM
Rocketboy, let us please not confuse popular with "good".
who brought up toyota? :)
Rocketboy 10:28AM (12/28/2007)
And please do not confuse Clarksons's opinion as 'Universal Fact'.
Jason 11:03AM (12/28/2007)
Never said it was. You were the one defending his critique of it's usefulness with it's popularity. You seem to have trouble keeping focus...that's twice now.
Rocketboy 12:54PM (12/29/2007)
# people who believe that the MINI Clubman is worthy of a purchase > # of Jeremy Clarksons who think it's a toliet.
Make sense now?
Xcountryflyer 4:51PM (12/26/2007)
The destruction of a classic brand continues.
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ebm14 1:53PM (12/27/2007)
Clarkson first thought the new Jag XF was "horrible and nasty" happen to change his mind when he saw the car again. I am not sure of his evaluations.
As far as the Clubman, it is not a destruction to the brand.
What Mini should do is attach the third door to the other side for the Brits. If they do so Clarkson will be a jolly man
since he loves the Cooper.
Giuseppe 5:31PM (12/26/2007)
It looks like an elongated Mini with the cramped space of the original. Why would i want this?
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3seriesisking 5:39PM (12/26/2007)
Everyone should keep in mind that Clarkson hates everything associated with BMW so take his words with a grain of salt.
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James 6:16PM (12/26/2007)
untrue, I think he likes Rolls Royce :P
He just hates the cookie cutter 3 series. I think he's had alot of good things to say about the 5 series (mostly M5). He hated the M6 though, I think.
Zane 6:16PM (12/26/2007)
Things might be changing. He adored the E92 M3 in the last episode.
The Joker 10:09PM (12/26/2007)
Uhh, no:
"I should make it plain from the outset that I like the normal Mini. I think that although it has a wheelbase longer than the Land Rover Defender, and therefore isn’t mini at all, it has a lot of charm and so many natty design features, you really don’t care that the back is suitable only for Anne Boleyn and that the boot couldn’t handle even half a king charles spaniel."
3seriesisking 11:08PM (12/26/2007)
I hope he is beginning to change his outlook. He was the one defending the new M3 in the last episode. I know there is a lot of room between Mini and BMW and I can relate to some of his comments on the clubman but my point, like the autoblog staff was that you have to take these comments with a grain of salt. I'm sure they are right as well in saying that this will keep a single clubman off the streets. Guess we'll just have to wait and see.
Rick 6:24PM (12/26/2007)
I have always thought a stretched Mini made no sence and the designs looks too forced to be attractive. It is a toilet.
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