Monday 5 February – Today, the last MINI Clubman rolled off the production line at MINI Plant Oxford; 55 years after the model’s debut in 1969. 

With its unique styling and signature rear split doors, the MINI Clubman remains instantly recognisable around the world. The end of the MINI Clubman signifies a closing chapter in MINI’s history, while the brand continues to introduce its new, all-electric MINI family.

Commenting on the end of production, Dr. Markus Grüneisl, CEO of Plants Oxford and Swindon, said “We are incredibly proud to have built the MINI Clubman at Plants Oxford and Swindon over the last 18 years for customers all over the world. With its departure, we look ahead to welcoming members of the new MINI family to our Oxford and Swindon lines, including a new convertible model which we will start to produce at the end of this year.”

Since its introduction more than 1.1 million MINI Clubman models have been built, with half of these made at MINI Plant Oxford*. Exported to more than 50 countries, the Clubman is driven across the globe, with the UK choosing Midnight Black as its favourite exterior colour.

With its production coming to an end, we look back at the Clubman’s iconic history, including the cars that influenced its design, pivotal moments for the model and the three Clubman generations.

A step back in time: the classic Mini Clubman.
The Clubman silhouette dates back to the early 1960s, when Mini’s owner, British Motor Corporation (BMC), introduced two estate versions of the original Mini: the Austin Seven Countryman and Morris Mini Traveller. Featuring a longer chassis and distinctive barn-style rear doors, both models offered additional space and practicality. Alongside the Riley Elf and Wolseley Hornet - which were longer, more luxurious saloon versions of the Mini - these cars paved the way for the first Mini Clubman.

In 1967, British Motor Holdings (previously BMC) set out to streamline the Mini portfolio, hiring renowned designer Roy Haynes to combine attributes from all four models into a single car: the Mini Clubman. The final design was far more angular and featured a distinctive front nose, which was 10cm longer than the original Mini.

In the end, three production vehicles were based on the Clubman, with the first car debuting in 1969 as a saloon, followed by the Clubman Estate a year later. The third was the 1275 GT, which did not bear the Clubman name but did share its distinctive nose and was famed for its motorsport career.

The seventies brought new features including a more powerful, 45 bhp engine and side stripes. Proceeding to dominate the automotive market for over a decade, almost 600,000 Mini Clubman were produced – including 197,000 Estates – before it finished production in 1982 under the 1000HL Estate moniker.

Rebirth: the first modern MINI Clubman.
Following a 25-year-hiatus, the MINI Clubman was reborn in 2007. While delivering a modern aesthetic, it retained characteristic styling cues from its predecessors - most notably the signature, split rear doors. However, reinstating them into a modern-day vehicle proved quite the challenge for engineers at MINI Plant Oxford. “We needed to ensure that both doors would always open fully without obscuring the rear lights, which was a legal requirement. Achieving this required fine tuning and developing the gas strut system to ensure the doors functioned correctly in all climatic conditions” explained Lead Quality Engineer, Guy Elliott, who was part of the development team for Door Systems at the time.

As the first MINI to offer five seats, the Clubman introduced a unique Clubdoor – enabling easy access for rear passengers – which was hinged at the rear, and asymmetrically positioned on the one side of the car.

Reflecting on the integration of the Clubdoor, Guy commented, “The Clubdoor was pillarless, meaning two moving parts were coming together. We had to ensure the front door and Clubdoor were flush to minimise wind noise when driving. The two glass systems had to be carefully controlled and most importantly, it needed to be watertight, which required precise control measures.”

From Clubman to Clubvan.
Inspired by the Morris Mini Van, MINI introduced the world’s first premium compact delivery van in 2013, dubbed the MINI Clubvan. Retaining five doors but with only two seats, the model offered businesses a larger, easily accessible loading area with a completely flat floor.

With a bulkhead to protect the driver and passenger, the Clubvan cargo area could be loaded roof high, with a maximum payload capacity of 500 kg. Recessed into the floor were six heavy duty attachment loops, which prevented objects from moving around in transit, while multiple 12-volt sockets could be used to power electrical equipment.

Further refinement and four full-sized doors.
With the third generation in 2015 the Clubman grew, offering a boot capacity of up to 1,250 litres, enhanced usability thanks to four full-sized doors and an 8-speed Steptronic transmission – a first for the MINI brand. Numerous other features made their brand debut on the Clubman, including an electric parking brake, full electric seat adjustment and the optional MINI Yours Interior Styles with backlit door bezels. Its launch was closely followed by the introduction of the Clubman ALL-4, the brand’s first all-wheel drive model, in 2016.

Commenting on the launch of the third generation MINI Clubman, then Project Lead Dr. Ernst Fricke said, “As the final of three consecutive launches in less than three years (3-Door, 5-Door, Clubman), the Clubman presented special challenges to the Manufacturing Launch team.  In the Pressings and Body in White factories, new subassembly facilities unique to Clubman were installed, enabling frames from all three MINI models to feed the final lines in any sequence or batch size. In Assembly, a new door build process for the split doors was implemented, requiring critical innovations in a new area.

After the launch, we referred to the third generation Clubman as ‘our masterpiece’ – the ultimate Oxford built MINI with new standards of high quality and refinement.”

The Final Edition.
In 2023, the Clubman was celebrated with the launch of The Final Edition. Offered with a fixed specification, this model featured an edition-specific Shimmer Copper radiator grille and side scuttles, 18” Final Edition Spoke 2-tone alloy wheels and exclusive ‘Final Edition’ letting on the rear. Limited to just 1,969 units, the Final Edition paid homage to the launch year of the original.

As the Clubman’s half-century journey draws to a close, an electrifying new chapter begins with the continued launch of the new MINI family. Following the debut of the all-electric MINI Cooper and new MINI Countryman, 2024 promises to be another exciting year for MINI.

Ends

*Modern MINIs produced since 2007

The BMW Group

With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial and mobility services. The BMW Group production network comprises over 30 production sites worldwide; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2022, the BMW Group sold nearly 2.4 million passenger vehicles and more than 202,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2022 was € 23.5 billion on revenues amounting to € 142.6 billion. As of 31 December 2022, the BMW Group had a workforce of 149,475 employees.

The success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. The company set the course for the future at an early stage and consistently makes sustainability and efficient resource management central to its strategic direction, from the supply chain through production to the end of the use phase of all products.

www.bmwgroup.com

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MINI Press Office Contacts:

Tom Evans
MINI Press Officer
Tel: 07815 371705
Email: Tom.Evans@mini.co.uk

Helen Wilson
MINI Media Relations Manager
Tel: 07815 372480                   
Email: Helen.Wilson@mini.co.uk

Christina Burnham-Hepe
General Manager, Communications
Tel: 07815 371 206
Emails: Christina.Burnham-Hepe@bmw.co.uk

Graham Biggs
Corporate Communications Director
Tel: 07815 376 867
Email: Graham.Biggs@bmw.co.uk 

With a newly modified design, the latest technology and hallmark MINI driving fun, the new MINI Clubman has received fresh exterior and interior design changes for 2019.

Ride comfort, space and versatility characterise the new MINI Clubman which establishes a distinctive new style within the compact segment. There is a choice of two petrol engines and one diesel engine, with output ranging from 126hp to 192hp (combined fuel consumption: 43.5 – 70.6mpg; combined CO2 emissions: 147 – 105 g/km). The extremely sporty MINI John Cooper Works Clubman will join the range at a later date.

Expressive and powerful: new distinctive front design.

The body design of the new MINI Clubman is unique in its segment. The vehicle’s distinctive proportions, elongated roof line and split rear doors make a style statement whilst providing outstanding versatility. The luggage compartment can be extended from 360 litres to as much as 1,250 litres with the rear seats folded.

The unique body is combined with MINI brand design cues. At the front of the vehicle these include the domed bonnet, the circular headlamps – of which the surrounds are in chrome as standard and the hexagonal contour of the grille.

The most striking design feature of the new MINI Clubman is the newly designed grille, which now extends across the entire bumper. With a new structure for the air inlet, it gives the front view a particularly distinctive appearance. The grille is bordered by a slim frame produced from a single piece.

The air inlet is separated into six black, horizontal struts, which can be optionally upgraded to a chrome version as part of the Exclusive trim style.

The MINI Cooper S Clubman has an exclusive hexagonal grid pattern instead of the horizontal struts and individual chrome strut in the air inlet, as well as the letters chrome-plated emblem with a red “S” at the centre.

Variable illumination intensity, dazzle-free long beam: adaptive LED headlights with Matrix function.

The distinguishing look of the new MINI Clubman from the front is enhanced by the modified design of the circular headlamps. The LED headlamps includes LED modules for low and high beam, which generate enhanced brightness, and a shield that is also finished in black. A white ring of light surrounding the headlamps serves both as daytime driving light and turn indicator. In addition, LED fog lamps are standard on this model as well.

The adaptive LED headlamps with Matrix function automatically adapt their brightness to the situation on the road and are available as an individual option. In urban traffic and when visibility is limited, the side area of the road is illuminated more intensely by adding the dimmed turning light.

The adaptive LED headlamps offered on MINI Clubman now feature an automatic selective dip function for high beam. Their innovative Matrix technology for high beam enables the visibility range to be increased while at the same time avoiding any dazzle effect for other road users. The high beam is subdivided into four segments which can be activated and deactivated independently of each other by the front camera and adapted to the situation on the road at speeds of over 45mph.

LED rear lights as standard.

The new MINI Clubman is fitted as standard with LED rear lights. The light units with chrome surround are now integrated in the wings of the split door. In conjunction with the optional LED headlamps or the adaptive LED headlamps, the horizontally oriented rear lights feature a horizontal turn signal and vertical brake lamp.

Fresh look with new body finishes.

Three new exterior colours are available to choose from launch. The new MINI Clubman is now available in Indian Summer Red metallic, British Racing Green metallic or MINI Yours Enigmatic Black metallic. As an alternative to body colour, the roof and exterior mirror caps can also be finished in either black, white or silver.

Depending on the model variant, the new MINI Clubman is fitted as standards with either 16-inch or 17-inch alloy wheels. 18-inch and 19-inch alloy wheels are available.

New additions to the range include 18-inch Multiray Spoke 2-tone and MINI Yours British Spoke 2-tone, along with 19-inch John Cooper Works Circuit Spoke 2-tone design.

An entirely new sports suspension is also now available and offers a 10 millimetre height reduction, further optimising the vehicle’s agile driving response.

There is also the option of an adaptive suspension. This enables the driver to choose between two characteristic curves for the damper set-up via the MINI Driving Modes toggle switch – one setup geared for comfort, and the other for a sportier driving style.

Classic, Sport or Exclusive: pick the trim that incorporates all your needs.

The new MINI Clubman offers a high level of standard features, including MINI Navigation on a 6.5” display, Real Time Traffic Information (RTTI) and Apple CarPlay. Also standard are rain sensors and automatic headlight activation, the interior lights package and the MINI Excitement pack which includes MINI logo projection, illuminated door handles and LED mood light

MINI Connected Services are also standard, as well as Intelligent Emergency Call (E-Call) and Bluetooth. Heli-Spoke alloy wheels and Firework Cloth seats in Carbon Black complete the Classic offering. 

In addition, for those wanting a more powerful looking MINI Clubman, the Sport style adds a John Cooper Works Sports steering wheel, John Cooper Works sports seats and 17” John Cooper Works Track Spoke alloy wheels as standard. For further personalisation, customers can upgrade to a full leather John Cooper Works sport seat or Cross Punch leather seat and 19” John Cooper Works Course Spoke alloy on Cooper S models.

Completing the trio of styles, Exclusive offers customers the option of additional luxury. With 17” Roulette Spoke alloys, MINI Yours leather steering wheel and MINI Yours Leather Lounge sports seats as standard, this style ensures a sophisticated presence both inside and outside the vehicle. Additional leather options include Satellite Grey and Indigo Blue.

Drive: three engines, and two transmissions.

The engine portfolio for the new MINI Clubman includes a 3-cylinder and 4-cylinder petrol engine along with one 4-cylinder diesel engine, all of which feature the latest generation of MINI TwinPower Turbo Technology.

Instead of the standard 6-speed manual transmission, a 7-speed Steptronic transmission with double clutch is optionally available for the MINI Cooper Clubman and the MINI Cooper S Clubman. A 7-speed Steptronic sports transmission is also optionally available for the MINI Cooper S Clubman.

At market launch, the new MINI Clubman will be available in three model variants:

MINI Cooper Clubman*: 136hp, 0 – 62mph in 9.2 seconds (9.2 seconds), top speed: 127mph (127mph), fuel consumption combined: 49.6 – 50.4 mpg (52.3 – 53.3 mpg), CO2 emissions combined: 129 – 127 g/km (122 – 120 g/km).

MINI Cooper S Clubman*: 192hp, 0 – 62mph in 7.3 seconds (7.3 seconds), top speed: 142mph (142mph), fuel consumption combined: 43.5 – 44.1mpg (50.4 – 51.4 mpg), CO2 emissions combined: 147 – 145 g/km (127 – 125 g/km).

MINI Cooper D Clubman*:150hp, 0 – 62mph in 8.9 seconds (8.6 seconds), top speed: 132mph (132mph), fuel consumption combined: 64.2 – 65.7 mpg (65.7 – 67.3 mpg), CO2 emissions combined: 114 – 113 g/km (113 – 111 g/km).

Class leading audio and navigation.

Navigation pack comes as standard in the new MINI Clubman, with the option to upgrade to the Navigation Plus Pack which boasts a larger 8.8” touch display, Concierge Service and Enhanced Bluetooth with wireless charging. It is also possible to use the online-based MINI Connected services. Harmon Kardon Hi-Fi System and a MINI Head-up Display are also available as optional upgrades.

The new MINI Clubman: smarter than ever and “always online“.

The new MINI Clubman is equipped with a 4G SIM card which is embedded within the vehicle. This technology enables Intelligent Emergency Call with automatic detection of the vehicle location and accident severity is available, as well as MINI TeleServices.

In addition, the current version of the MINI Connected App offers an exceptionally wide range of digital services that facilitate effortless trip planning from the driver’s mobile phone. This includes the possibility of sending navigation destinations from smartphone to vehicle and receiving information such as the ideal departure time, as well as Remote Services. The latter function allows the driver not just to display vehicle location, fuel level and other vehicle status details on their smartphone, but also flash the headlights, activate the horn, ventilation and door lock/unlock function.

The new MINI Clubman is available from April 2019 from £21,200.

Ends

* Preliminary technical data. Fuel consumption, CO2 emissions and power consumption were measured using the methods required according to Regulation (EC) 2007/715 as amended. The information is based on a vehicle with basic equipment in Germany; ranges take into account differences in wheel and tyre size selected as well as optional equipment and can change during configuration.

The information has already been calculated based on the new WLTP test cycle and adapted to NEDC for comparison purposes. In these vehicles, different figures than those published here may apply for the assessment of taxes and other vehicle-related duties which are (also) based on CO2 emissions.

For further details of the official fuel consumption figures and the official specific CO2 emissions of new cars, please refer to the "Manual on the fuel consumption, CO2 emissions and power consumption of new cars" available free of charge at all sales outlets, from Deutsche Automobil Treuhand GmbH (DAT), Hellmuth-Hirth-Str. 1, 73760 Ostfildern-Scharnhausen and at https://www.dat.de/co2/.

The BMW Group

With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial and mobility services. As a global company, the BMW Group operates 31 production and assembly facilities in 14 countries and has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2018, the BMW Group sold over 2,490,000 passenger vehicles and more than 165,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2018 was € 9.815 billion on revenues amounting to € 97.480 billion. As of 31 December 2018, the BMW Group had a workforce of 134,682 employees.

The success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. The company has therefore established ecological and social sustainability throughout the value chain, comprehensive product responsibility and a clear commitment to conserving resources as an integral part of its strategy.

www.bmwgroup.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/BMWGroup
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MINI Press Office Contacts:

Helen Wilson
MINI Media Relations Executive
Tel: 07815 372480
Email: Helen.Wilson@mini.co.uk

Piers Scott
General Manager, Product and Internal Communications
Tel: 07815 378190                                 
Email: Piers.Scott@bmw.co.uk

Graham Biggs                
Corporate Communications Director
Tel:  07815 376867
Email:  Graham.Biggs@bmw.co.uk

Media website:

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