| All-new Model Preview | Frankfurt Motor Show | MINI Clubman |

Bringing back memories of the once successful mini-estates of the sixties, MINI has finally revealed its 21st century equivalent. It's official; the Clubman is set for UK release November 10th 2007, but will showcase at this year's Frankfurt Motor Show on September 13th.

Assembled at Plant Oxford, the Clubman features design cues from the original, wooden-framed car. The trademark two-piece split boot has been revived with exterior hinging and separate rain wipers for each window. The mini-estate features new rear light clusters and exclusive to the model, 'Hot Chocolate' design paint, along with another 36 conventional colour combinations to choose from.

Entry to the rear seats has been designed so the door opens against the direction of travel, as seen on the Mazda RX-8. The rear handle is concealed, since the door can only be opened once the front right-hand is already for safety reasons. Unfortunately, there is just one rear door, on the right hand side of the car; this will be the same regardless of which side the steering wheel is on...

The Clubman is identical to the regular hatch up to the B-pillar, but provides greater interior flexibility. Space has been maximised in the Clubman thanks to an extra 24cm in length over the hatch, providing 8cm much-needed more rear legroom. The Clubman is also 2cm taller, which should create a bit more room for adults who want to sit in one of the five seats available - a first for MINI. The Clubman boasts a boot capacity of 260 litres too - 100 more than before. With the rear seats folded flat the total space rises to 930 litres, with a completely flat floor as an optional extra. The Clubman offers the same interior variety as the hatch, with four interior colours to choose from, plus Brushed Alloy and Piano Black Paint finishes available for the interior panels.

MINI will offer just three engine variants. The Cooper Clubman comes on 15-inch alloys and will start at £14,275 using the 1.6-litre, four-cylinder engine fitted to the regular Cooper. Producing 120bhp at 6,000rpm, it will hit 62mph from zero in 9.8 seconds and is good for 125mph, whilst returning 51.4mpg on the Combined Cycle.

The second engine offering from MINI is the turbodiesel found in the Cooper D. At £15,400 - and also shod in 15 inch alloys - the diesel's best asset is fuel economy, which MINI claims can reach 68.9mpg. The engine produces only 109g/km of CO₂ too and had a particulate filter as standard. There is 177lb.ft of torque available between 1,750 and 2,000rpm, and though being slightly down on power from the 1.6-litre petrol model, it manages 0-62mph in 10.4 seconds and a 120mph top speed.

The quickest and stiffest Clubman is the £17,210, 1.6-litre Cooper S complete with a twin-scroll turbo. Producing 175bhp at 5,500rpm, the S transmits power through its 16-inch wheels and achieves 62mph in 7.6 seconds on the way to 139mph. MINI has separated the channels of two cylinders into the exhaust manifold and turbocharger, which reportedly reduces exhaust back pressure. The S manages a still respectable 44.8mpg on the Combined Cycle.

Moving with the ever-more present need for fuel economy, the Clubman utilises several of the technologies found in BMW's EfficientDynamics, including a regenerative braking system as standard, as well as an electric alternator that disengages itself under normal acceleration, allowing more of the engine's energy to be used for forward propulsion.

Developed for six-speed manual Clubmans only, MINI's 'Auto Start-Stop' system automatically switches off the engine as soon as the car is in neutral with a disengaged clutch at a standstill. The engine is re-started immediately as the driver re-engages the clutch pedal. A Gearshift Point Indicator below the rev counter also comes as standard, advising the driver which is the most 'economic' gear to be in, dependant on engine speed, driving conditions and the position of the accelerator pedal.

To maintain the MINI's dynamics, an anti-roll bar is fitted at the front to minimise body roll, working together with a central arm rear-axle, lightened by aluminium longitudinal arms. Although the Cooper S has a firmer set-up as standard, the other models can opt for optional Sports Suspension, as well as paddle-shift, automatic transmission.

The Clubman will feature this year in Frankfurt, but The Car Enthusiast will have a chance to drive the new MINI before the event in early September, to decide whether it really lives up to the hype. Watch out for the review on our MINI Road Tests page.

Kyle Molyneux - 27 Jul 2007