New MINI Clubman here next month

MINI Australia has confirmed it will release only mid- and high-grade turbocharged petrol variants of the new MINI Clubman here in November.

Speaking at the international launch of the upsized, six-door MINI wagon, MINI Australia General Manager Corporate Communications Lenore Fletcher said Australians will have the choice of Cooper and Cooper S petrol models, consigning diesel variants and the base-grade MINI One Clubman to the sidelines.

“They will be offered as automatic models, though the [six-speed] manual gearbox will be available to order,” added Fletcher.

MINI Australia's higher-spec, petrol-only strategy with the new MINI Clubman follows the pattern established by the previous-generation wagon, which also snubbed the oiler.

Sadly, it will deny Aussies the opportunity to sample the new 140kW/400Nm 2.0-litre turbo-diesel four-pot that debuts in Europe's MINI Cooper SD Clubman.

“At this stage there’s no confirmation that this engine will roll out into the other body styles,” said Fletcher.

Although local pricing and specifications are “still to be finalised, expected in mid-October”, it is believed the Cooper Clubman will use the six-speed automatic familiar in three- and five-door MINI variants.

Meantime, ‘our’ Cooper S will gain items such as the new ‘sports’ eight-speed self-shifter (‘sports’ denoting shift paddles behind the wheel) and adaptive dampers as standard equipment.

“Australian buyers are always after a high base specification, so these vehicles will be well specified. We will also create our own group option packages to suit the market,” said Fletcher.

In terms of that market, the MINI Clubman range has never been a massive seller, with a peak of 545 sales in 2010 falling to only 50 sales in 2014. The increased practicality afforded by the larger body may encourage a spike.

“It is often the case with a new niche, premium model that there’s an initial surge, though I don’t want to put a number on it,” said Fletcher, before adding that it would be nice to see the third-generation Clubman approach its previous [2010] levels.

Both the MINI Cooper Clubman and Cooper S Clubman are expected to arrive locally in the third week of November. Stay tuned for our international launch review.