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A Mini spokesperson in the U.S. has confirmed to us that the nifty, two-seat Clubvan delivery special previewed as a concept in Geneva will indeed be produced. Better yet for fans of tiny cargo carriers—wealthy heiresses and their chihuahuas, for example—the vehicle will join Mini's U.S. model lineup this September as a 2013 model. Based as it is on the Clubman, the diminutive Clubvan has nothing on the Ford Transit Connect in terms of interior space and ultimate utility, to say nothing of larger haulers such as the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, but is all sorts of stylish in ways most vans could never, ever be. (Even with C/D graphics plastered all over them.)
Key features for the production version include the driver seat and front-passenger seat separated from the loading area by a stainless-steel grille, an aluminum cargo rail in the rear hold, six tie-down hooks, a cloth-trimmed load floor and cargo-area walls with matching roof liner, and an integrated power socket in the cargo area. The rear side windows will be lined inside with polycarbonate and safety foil, and they'll be covered with body-color foil on the outside. Mini also claims the Clubvan will boast increased load capacity compared with the Clubman, but didn't specify a number. The company did go on to say that it has received many inquiries from small businesses in the U.S. following the concept's Geneva reveal.
Mini wouldn't confirm whether the powertrain choices will be limited to the base Clubman's 121-hp naturally aspirated four, or if the Clubman S's 181-horse turbocharged engine also would be available. In a separate conversation, Mini boss Kay Segler unequivocally told us that there would be no hotted-up John Cooper Works version. So, yeah, your pizza is still probably going to arrive cold. from Car and Driver Blog http://blog.caranddriver.com | |||
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Friday, April 20, 2012
Mini Clubman–based Clubvan Cargo Hauler Confirmed for Production, U.S. Sales
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