Mini USA's product planning manager Patrick McKenna walks us around the all-new, 2016 Mini Clubman, discussing changes both big and small.
TranscriptBRANDON TURKUS: Hey, Autoblog. This is associate editor Brandon Turkus. I'm here with the 2016 Mini Clubman. And I'm going to be joined by Patrick McKenna, head of product planning for Mini USA. He's going to walk us through the changes.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
PATRICK MCKENNA: Well, first thing, we've got a little bit of camouflage because this is still a preproduction car. So not quite ready for prime time. But it's the familiar face of Mini in the front, the hexagonal grill that we see in the hard top. But then we have some other elements that aren't just for design. We have brake cooling ducts here.
And then we have a side curtain. And the side curtain actually has an air opening here. And then we have a small opening on the other side. And what this does, is it cuts down on the turbulence that happen at the wheel, especially at high speed. So that's really a great example of just good aerodynamics on this new Mini Clubman, taking it to the next level.
So this is actually our longest Mini ever. So this is at 105.1 inches on the wheelbase. So it's actually longer than even today's Countryman, but sits lower by 4.3 inches than our Countryman. And that's because this is really more of a car. And what that, what that gives us in terms of the wheelbase, it gives us really an extensive back seat.
BRANDON TURKUS: And here we are at the back of the Mini, of the Clubman, where you can see that the traditional barn doors have gotten quite a makeover from the previous generation. So what have you guys done here?
PATRICK MCKENNA: We keep the traditional chrome handles that were on the previous generation. Underneath the camouflage, we'll actually spell out that it's a Clubman, kind of give it a little bit of its own character.
And for the first time ever, we've got the convenience opening. So one kick opens that door, and one kick opens the left door. So that can be super convenient when you've got packages and you're approaching your mini.
In the back, we have 17.5 cubic square feet of space. And with the seats folded down, you have 47.9 cubic feet. So that's a really nice generous space that just gives this Mini just a lot of practicality.
What we really wanted to do on the interior is really have-- elevate the premium of a small car. So you'll see extensive use of chrome vessels on the trim. We have auto climate control standard.
This is the first Mini that comes with an electric e-brake. First Mini with power seats, for example. Extensive use of ambient lighting. And then on the exterior, when you approach the vehicle, you have driveway lights at the door handles. You actually have the Mini logo shining down from the side view mirror.
We're going to also have a screen standard on these cars. So we'll have Mini Connected, which is our app integration program. And I think what makes this car unique is we're not at the point where we're announcing pricing, but we expect this car to be in the mid 20,000 range for the entry level Cooper version of it.
BRANDON TURKUS: Cool. Thanks a lot, Patrick.
PATRICK MCKENNA: All right.
BRANDON TURKUS: So there we are. That is the 2016 Mini Clubman. It's more spacious, more comfortable, better equipped vehicle than the one it replaces. We can expect big things from the second generation Mini. For Autoblog, I am Brandon Turkus.
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