Mini Clubvan set for Goodwood debut

Mini's seemingly never-ending product proliferation continues unabated as the small-car specialist is using this week's Goodwood Festival of Speed to roll out the production-spec version of its first modern-generation commercial vehicle, dubbed the Clubvan.

Inspired by the 1960s Morris Mini Van, the baby van will be priced in the UK from £11,175 ($17,310) plus tax, but the vehicle isn't currently on the radar for Australia, according to company spokesman Piers Scott.

Despite its diminutive external dimensions – it's identical in size to the 3961mm long, 1683mm wide and 1426mm high Clubman – the Clubvan can swallow 860 litres of cargo and has a maximum payload capacity of 500kg.

Adding to its versatility, cargo can be loaded in via the rear barn doors, or via the rear door on the driver's side. The load area is completely flat and there are six heavy-duty loops that can be used to tie down items.

There's a fixed partition to segregate the passenger compartment from the load area, and the rear side windows have also been blocked to provide greater security and additional space for signage.

In the UK the Clubvan will be offered as standard with a 72kW 1.6-litre petrol engine, along with a sporting version of the former with 90kW. Even the latter isn't exactly a fireball, accelerating to 100km/h in a leisurely 9.8sec.

Supplementing the petrol variants is the Cooper D, which is powered by an 82kW diesel that propels the car from 0-100km/h in 10.2sec and on to a v-max of 200km/h.

All models will be offered as standard with a six-speed manual gearbox, with the diesel optionally available with an automatic.

No word as yet on a turbocharged Cooper S range-topper, but such a variant doesn't seem all that likely given the Clubvan's utilitarian orientation.

That said, the vehicle will allegedly be offered with a range of customisation options to enable boutique businesses to tailor it to their needs. In keeping with its intended clientele, the Clubvan is trimmed in high-quality materials, and there is an anthracite roof liner to further enhance cabin ambience.

The Clubvan will be the seventh member of the current Mini line-up, extending the brand's reach into a segment that could add significant growth to its sales volume (at least in Europe).

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