KEY POINTS:
The Mini with a little more is on its way to these shores, with BMW New Zealand launching the extended Clubman version of the iconic small car in March - and it will also be the first Mini model in this country to be available with a diesel
engine.
The launch variants will have identical engines to the current Mini hatchback line-up.
The Cooper Clubman has a 1.6-litre petrol engine, with 88kW/160Nm, and it accelerates from 0-100km/h in 9.8 seconds. Pricing starts at $40,900, which is a $5000 premium over the Cooper hatchback.
The Cooper S Clubman is powered by a 1.6-litre powerplant with direct injection and a twin-scroll turbocharger/intercooler.
It makes 128kW/240Nm and accelerates from 0-100km/h in 7.6 seconds and is priced at $48,900. The two engines are part of a new family co-developed between BMW and Peugeot.
The turbo diesel-powered Cooper D Clubman won't arrive until the second half of the year.
The common-rail four-cylinder unit, with particulate filter, produces 80kW/240Nm and can propel the little wagon from 0-100km/h in 10.4 seconds.
The combined fuel consumption is just 3.8 litres per 100km. Pricing will start at $44,900.
The Clubman is 240mm longer than the Mini hatchback. The unique selling proposition of the Clubman is the extra rear-hinged "club door" on one side of the car, designed to improve access for rear-seat passengers and make cargo-loading easier.
Novel, although there is one problem with the execution of the concept, and that's the Mini might be British-built but it's German-designed and also destined for the American market, so the club door is located on the right-hand side of the vehicle, meaning that rear-seat passengers step out into the traffic, rather than on to the footpath.
There is no left-door version planned at this stage. The Clubman also features a split-door at the rear, paying homage to classic models. such as the Austin Mini Countryman, the Morris Mini Traveller, and the Mini Clubman Estate, which sold from 1960 to 1982.
The contrasting colours used around the door frames evoke memories of the wooden frames on the original models.
In standard configuration, the rear of the Clubman offers 260 litres of load space - around the same as your average supermini. However, with the rear seats folded the luggage compartment can swallow up to 960 litres.
The rear seat backrest is divided 50/50. When folded and teamed with an optional folding floor section, it provides a long flat load bed.
BMW claims the car can accommodate a mountain bike, albeit with the front wheel removed. As an option there is also a safety net separating the luggage area from the passenger compartment. Each rear door comes with a separate windscreen wiper.
A Mini wouldn't be a Mini without a multitude of colour and trim options.
A wide range of interior and exterior customisation packages will be available for the Clubman, with the frame around the rear doors colour-matched to the roof trim.
There will be more than 40 different colour combinations. to choose from.
