The last Clubman estate has left the MINI factory in Oxford this week, bringing almost two decades of production to an end.
So if you want to lease this split-door icon, you need to act now while you still can!
Prices for the MINI Clubman begin at just £282 per month* with Select Car Leasing.
As we’ve said before on these news pages, we’ve a lot of affection for the MINI Clubman here at Select Towers. It's a car that wasn’t afraid to do things differently and which has a unique heritage going way back to the 1960s.
Looking ahead, though, the Clubman will exit stage left while a brand new model - the fully-electric Aceman - joins the MINI line-up later this year.
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.”
The Clubman shape - which took the regular hatchback and added an estate-style boot - dates back to the early 1960s when the old ‘Mini’ marque was owned by the British Motor Corporation (BMC).
At the time, BMC’s customers could enjoy the Austin Seven Countryman and the Morris Mini Traveller, both of which had trademark ‘barn-style’ rear doors. BMC also produced the Riley Elf and Wolseley Hornet - which were longer, more luxurious saloon versions of the Mini.
And by 1967, designer Roy Haynes had taken those four cars and smashed them together to produce the Mini Clubman.
Fast forward to 2007, and MINI was now in the hands of BMW. And after a 25-year hiatus, the Clubman was revived.
As the first MINI to offer five seats, the Clubman introduced a unique ‘Clubdoor’. It gave easy access to the back for rear passengers, was hinged at the rear, and was also positioned asymmetrically on just one side of the car. It was weird and quirky, but it worked.
Lead Quality Engineer, Guy Elliott, says: “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.”
By 2013 there was even a MINI Clubvan - a commercial version of the Clubman with just two seats and a flat load area in the back.
And, for the time being, the Clubman is available to lease in myriad forms - with the most desirable being the all-wheel drive, 306 PS Clubman John Cooper Works, which can throttle from 0-62mph in just 4.9 seconds.
There’s also a ‘Final Edition’ model, launched in 2023, which features copper-coloured exterior style flourishes and unique 18-inch alloys.
A MINI spokesperson adds: “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.”
*Prices include VAT. Credit is Subject to Status, Ts and Cs and Arrangement Fees apply. Excess mileage may apply. Stock levels and prices correct as of 06/02/24.
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