This is the all-new Mini Clubman, which is in the final stages of testing ahead of its planned launch later this year.
The new Clubman is a significantly different car to the quirky outgoing model. First, the new model is a substantially larger because it shares the same front-drive platform that underpins the BMW 2 Series.
Judging by the Clubman concept shown at the Geneva show in 2014, the new car will be just over 4.2m long – some 26cm longer than the current Clubman – making it the biggest Mini yet. It’s also thought to be a significant 161mm wider and 24mm taller.
This time around, the Clubman gets four conventional doors but, instead of a conventional hatchback, it has the same twin, side-hinged, ‘barn door’ arrangement as the current Clubman.
BMW has also decided to distinguish the car from its three-door sister car by significantly changing the exterior and interior design.
The Clubman’s front end takes its inspiration from the Mini Rocketman concept. The interior gets its own style with a different dashtop moulding (which reduces the visual bulk of the dashboard) and a new high-rise centre console.
Sources say that the Clubman’s interior space will make it competitive in the European C-segment, offering a ‘fresh and dynamic’ alternative to the VW Golf and Ford Focus.
The Clubman has the same suspension set-up – including an independent rear end – as its smaller sister, and BMW insiders expect it to be most impressive driver’s car in this class.
The Clubman will share the same range of three- and four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines as the three-door Mini. All-wheel drive is likely to be offered on the Clubman, although not from launch. Later in the Clubman’s life a plug-in hybrid version with a three-cylinder engine is also likely.
There’s no news on pricing as yet, but expect the entry-level model to cost at least £17,500.
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