The iconic Mini Cooper went through a transformation in 2001 and became a Mini for the new millennium.
And they have done it again this time with the Mini Panel Van giving drivers 24 centimeters more room in the back.
It's a reincarnation of the popular mini vans of the 1960s - a panel van, without the panels but a bit of extra room and an ingenious
half a door.The new BMW versions of the Mini have been driving the traditionalists mad since 2001 and this one is likely to do the same.
But some people can't get enough of these tiny hotrods. Power comes from a turbocharged 1.6L 16-valve light alloy engine with direct injection and delivers 172-hp.
The MINI Clubman is a separate model now available to order in Cooper, Cooper D, and Cooper S variations. It is several inches longer to accommodate more leg room and a larger boot. It has double doors as a boot instead of a pull up boot. It also features a suicide door on the right side for passengers in the back.
The name 'Clubman' is a break with classic Mini tradition. The classic Mini Clubman was a saloon car with a squarer front end but a standard Mini rear end. The estate van versions of the classic Mini were called 'Mini Traveller' and 'Mini Countryman'. However, BMW did not purchase the rights to use those names when they bought the rights to the other Mini names.
I don't know if i would ever buy one though, It still seems to small, I couldn't imagine trying to pull a boat or a car on a trailer with a mini. I prefer the big American or Australian V6s and V8s.
2 comments:
I agree, this is cute, but what is the utility? I know it has a screamer engine, but only for its size. I currently drive a V8 myself, and it gets over 20 MPG, so I don't feel bad. I keep my house cold in the winter so I figure I'm offsetting the energy use. I'm amazed at the proliferation of boxy wagons on the market. Expect more of these boxes on the road. Do you like them?
Honestly, I don't like them at all. They maybe quick, But as you say, Its power to weight. They are just too small for my liking.
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