As a preview of the forthcoming new Clubman, MINI will be presenting the Clubman Concept at next week’s Geneva Motor Show.
26 centimeters longer and under 17 centimeters wider than the current MINI Clubman, the design study is precisely 4223 mm long, 1844 mm wide, and 1450 mm tall.
Even with larger exterior dimensions, the Clubman Concept retains all of MINI’s traditional design features such as the hexagonal radiator grille, side scuttles, the black band, short overhangs and elliptical front and rear headlights.
The themes of aerodynamics and air ducting are noticeable in the exterior design. All openings and outlets are integrated in the geometry. In the lower area of the front-end design, for example, there is a continuous air inlet. In the outer section of the front apron there are so-called AirCurtains – an aerodynamic feature that is said to give the wheel arches a more aerodynamically optimised closure. These surround the lower part of the front section like two brackets.
The Clubman Concept is also the first MINI to be fitted with a so-called AirBreather at the side. The AirBreather echoes the design theme of the AirCurtains in the front apron, cutting into the surrounding black band.
The side view is dominated by a long wheelbase, flatly positioned windows and short overhangs. Meanwhile the four doors reflect the extended exterior dimensions and hint at the increased interior space. At the front, the side scuttle incorporates the filigree mirror base and turn indicator in an elongated element whose shape is echoed by the two electrical door openers. Integrated flush with the surface, these draw a line back to the rear which is taken up by the rear door handles. Above this, the surrounding shoulder line in chrome offsets the corpus of the car from the greenhouse and roof in hallmark MINI style. This so-called “Waistline Finisher” embraces the entire passenger cell.
At the back, the main design elements are the characteristic split doors. However, the continuous door frame is no longer made of sheet metal. The door graphic itself provides the frame surrounding the entire rear section like a bracket. The horizontally positioned rear lights carry a detailed finish, while a third brake light is integrated in between the two wings of the roof spoilers in Formula 1 style.
There are also two longitudinal sections of plexiglass which run across the entire length of the roof like rally stripes.
Along with the exterior, the interior of the Clubman Concept has also grown to larger dimensions. With four doors and five fully-fledged seats, the car aims to offer enhanced space and practicality.
The underlying design theme in the interior is the characteristic ellipse. The concept of spatial function in the rear is rounded off with additional storage facilities in the split doors as well as a double load floor.
“The MINI Clubman Concept shows how the MINI Clubman could be taken a step further: more interior space, a greater sense of high-end quality and yet still clever, bold and distinctive. In short: more car, more MINI,” says Adrian van Hooydonk, Head of BMW Group Design, explaining the approach to this model.
Head of MINI Design Anders Warming adds: “With the MINI Clubman Concept we are presenting a car with space, flair and style in a segment where the focus is mainly on function and utility. With clever ideas, emotional design and a cool blend of colours and materials, it offers an overall experience which remains unique in this segment to date.”
Source: MINI
