Mini Clubvan commercial vehicle not for Australia

Initially unveiled as a concept at the 2012 Geneva motor show in March, the Mini Clubvan will become the seventh model in the UK-based, BMW-owned manufacturer’s line-up when it goes on sale in Europe in the northern autumn (September-November).

Mini Australia has confirmed the Clubvan will not join its local line-up at this stage, however, with demand for the compact van not believed to be great enough to satisfy a business case for its introduction.

The 3.96m Clubvan shares its exterior dimensions with the existing Mini Clubman, retaining its unique five-door layout with two at the front, a rear-hinged ‘club door’ on the right side and twin barn doors at the rear, but replacing its rear seats with a flat loading space.

A fixed partition behind the front seats divides the passenger compartment from the load area, which can be accessed either from the club door or from the rear. The 860-litre cargo space is 1150mm long and 1020mm wide at its narrowest, and has a maximum payload capacity of 500kg.

The load floor and walls are trimmed with carpet while an anthracite headliner runs the length of the cabin. The partition panel comprises stainless steel mesh and a solid aluminium section at its base. The load space features six attachment loops for securing cargo as well as 12-volt sockets to power electrical equipment.

Body-coloured rear side windows ensure privacy and security and act as a canvas for businesses to brand their vans.

Three variants will be offered with three different engine options: the Mini One Clubvan with the basic 72kW/153Nm 1.6-litre petrol engine, the more powerful 90kW/160Nm Mini Cooper Clubvan, and the Mini Cooper D Clubvan, which gets the 82kW/270Nm 1.6-litre diesel engine and promises combined cycle fuel economy of just 3.9 litres per 100km.

The Mini Clubvan will be manufactured alongside the Clubman at the brand’s UK plant in Oxford.

The Clubvan will hit showrooms more than 50 years after the introduction of the original Morris Mini Van, which featured an extended wheelbase, closed-off rear compartment and split rear doors.