Auto Express magazine in the UK today is saying the MINI Traveller / Clubman is to be called "Countryman" after the original 1960s Austin version of the Mini estate and that the Cooper/Cooper S will be out first in UK (early 2008) followed by One/Cooper D versions a few months later.

 

I feel the same way. Just looks odd. A 4th door wouldn't be that hard to add in there, and I'd imagine it would make it easier for both LHD and RHD vehicles too (won't be forced to enter on the 'wrong' side of the car).

 

I'm not fond of the roof line. Reminds me of a Renault or something. Too angular on the sides. Front grill is too wide as well but I guess that's what to be expect with the '07+'s.

It's gotta have an "S" version otherwise I wouldn't be interested.

So far it looks okay, not great, from the pictures.

CO

 

I like it. This would be a good platform for the diesel option. It looks to be just as much fun as the smaller car but in a more relaxed way. Would I buy one. Perhaps, but would want the Mini 1 or diesel motor in it. This is not a sport car. Overall it has a pleasant look to it.

 

This is what MINI motoring is all about -- the variety of configurations that will open up MINI motoring to a whole new group of customers. The more the merrier! By the way the Countryman looks great -- cant decide whether to hold off a purchase of my next MINI until this is available! Just too many choices. Love the door set-up! Great design features kudos to MINI for a great looking car.

 

Yeah! It does look like a hearse. Well, might as well have some fun on the final ride!

 

Why did they produce such a wonderful, imaginative, good looking and clever concept version of the estate in 2005, if this was what they intended to produce all along?

Tigger.

 

Actually the taller roof and squared off back end looks much better in the Clubman design than in the R56 3 door model.

Is it me, or the R55 seems to ride lower than the R56???

 

Personally, and I know others in our Club who feel this way, I would like to see the Clubman come with a Turbo Diesel, vice the Turbo of the S. When you see a 'Estate Wagon', you should be thinking low end torque and drivability with 200+ lbs of kids gear in the boot. Not 1/4 mile times.

If BMW/MINI/MINIUSA play their cards and think ahead, I think a Turbo Diesel version of the Clubman/Clubman Estate (what the h3ll is the 'short form' going to be?) would murder the rest of the market. The only competition might be a similarly equiped VDub Wagon, but the US/Japanese market would be slaughtered.

 

First fix the roof! Aweful design!

 

That's what I thought about the side repeater grilles on the R56 that slice off at the bonnet. I still can't believe that's the production design. It's the first design since the Subaru B-9 Tribeca that looks so bad to me that it actually cracks me up. (Although in the Subaru's case, it's the whole car... here just a grille.)

 

I don't even have a Mini and yet I find that the Clubman takes everything that helps the Mini stay unique and presents another "crossover-ish" grocery getter. Let 'em buy a Focus ZX3/ZX5 if they want a hatch. Just my .02 hp.

 

Some really awesome current shots !!!

http://www.mini2.com/2007/06/20/flee...-at-zandvoort/

the Clubman is so much better suited for the new body design inherited from the R56 ... the rear end looks awesome even with camo.

 

http://www.motorauthority.com/cars/m...d-mini-clubman

 

Looks like they've updated the body style a bit... I'm liking it!

 

Here's the source...
http://www.worldcarfans.com/rsslink....suv-spy-photos

 

Interior shots included this time:

http://www.autogespot.com/index.php?id=313

Lots of close ups:

http://www.autogespot.com/log/...1.jpg
http://www.autogespot.com/log/...2.jpg
http://www.autogespot.com/log/...3.jpg
http://www.autogespot.com/log/...4.jpg
http://www.autogespot.com/log/...5.jpg
http://www.autogespot.com/log/...6.jpg
http://www.autogespot.com/log/...7.jpg
http://www.autogespot.com/log/...8.jpg
http://www.autogespot.com/log/...9.jpg
http://www.autogespot.com/log/...0.jpg
http://www.autogespot.com/log/...1.jpg
http://www.autogespot.com/log/...2.jpg

 

Thanks for the links to the closeup shots - I think the Clubman is really looking great. I love the silver roof with many of the body colors.

 

I like the tail pipe set up ,mabey room for a spare now.

 

I also had an Astro with the rear dutch doors, It's a great design! I replaced the Astro with a turbo PT Cruiser. It is comfortable, hold lots of stuff, has guts and style (whether or not you like it it does have style). Lousy gas mileage. I also looked seriously at the Scion xB. It too has style (like it or hate it), holds lots of stuff, but NO guts and not much creature comfort. Excellent gas mileage and reliablity ratings. My point, you may be asking, is I'd love a MINI that is large enough for my stuff and has guts. A Clubman S would be very welcome in my garage!!

 

My only "gripes" are the asymmetric look that having the backdoor on only one side presents and the rear "overhang" of the roof looks less like a spoiler and more like the roof they put on was a touch too long

 

beats the pieced together attrocity that the R56 spoiler is

 

Interesting! I saw an article in Motor Trend (March '07) that showed a photo of the MINI Moke. They look pretty similar. I'll see if I can post a scan.

Edit: Here it is. Hope it's not too OT.

 

Looks like 2 different vehicles to me. One a Clubman and 1 a Moke?