Mini Clubman's third door wasn't part of the plan

MADRID, Spain — The Mini Clubman's unusual, three-door configuration evolved during the entry-premium car's development.

“This is a thing only Mini would do,” said Ulrich Kranz, director of Mini engineering and product development, during the car's press launch here.

The Clubman debuted at the Frankfurt auto show this month. It is the third model in Mini's lineup, following the three-door hatchback and convertible. Sales in Germany begin in November; U.S. sales start in the first quarter of next year.

Mini designed the Clubman to create additional space for rear-seat passengers and more cargo space without sacrificing the go-kart driving experience that Mini enthusiasts expect. Some Mini owners and enthusiasts had complained that the three-door hatchback was too small for their needs.

The challenge was to increase the vehicle's wheelbase for more rear-seat comfort and the rear overhang for more cargo capacity without harming the car's iconic styling. And Mini wanted to do it with minimal increase in cost and vehicle weight.

The result is the Clubman, a model that draws styling inspiration from the 1960s Mini Traveller and Clubman. The wagonlike vehicle features two doors at the rear, hinged at the sides like a commercial van, just as the models did in the 1960s. The wheelbase was stretched 3.15 inches to 8.36 feet, and the car's overall length is 13 feet, or 9.45 inches longer than the three-door Mini hatchback.

The passenger door that was added to the right side of the Clubman was not part of the original plan, Kranz said, and evolved during discussions about how to improve rear-seat entry and exit. The door is hinged at the rear and can open only if the front passenger door is opened.

Kranz said that during development, the Mini team asked whether there was a low-cost way to get easier access to the rear of the vehicle without a significant increase in vehicle weight.

“The engineering guys came up with the proposal that we could add one additional door,” Kranz said.

Mini added the door to the right side of the vehicle to avoid relocating the gasoline filler neck, which is on the left side. That would have required more crash testing and costs for certification in markets where the car will be sold, Kranz said.

The Clubman weighs about 175 pounds more than a three-door hatchback and has the handling that enthusiasts expect in a Mini, he said.

In Europe, the base Mini Cooper Clubman has a 120 hp, 1.6-liter engine and starts at about $27,780. c