Mini gives green light to new Clubvan 27 | 04 | 2012

MINI HAS CONFIRMED privately that its new Clubvan will definitely go into full production. An official announcement will be made in June, with production starting in July. First deliveries are expected in Scottish dealerships before the end of the year.

The car, which is Mini's first commercial-based model since the brand was relaunched in 2001, is — to all intents and purposes — a modified Clubman estate.

It will become the seventh model in the Mini range and has been created to boost the rather surprisingly slow sales of the Clubman bodystyle.

While 50,000 Minis left the forecourts last year, only 3300 of them were Clubmans. And while 285,000 Minis were sold globally, just under 26,000 of those were Clubmans.

See more official photos of the Mini Clubvan

Restricted to being a two-seater, the Clubvan has a bulkhead to separate the load area from the passenger compartment and opaque rear side windows. It also comes with split rear doors and the vestigial rear-hinged door on the driver’s side.

And in a bid to elevate it above its rivals and place it as a premium commercial 'van', the new Mini will have a fully lined load area rather than the painted metal load-spaces found in most car-derived vans.

Continuing that 'premium' attitude — and in a clear bid not to harm the strong residual values of the mainstream range — the Clubvan will be aimed at boutique shops and businesses with small, but high value items to carry.

Prices? Well Mini hasn't given any hints on that yet. Will it cost less than the entry-level, and basic Mini First at £11,820? If it does, it would be a serious saving on the entry-level Clubman which currently sets you back £14,430.

Mini reveals Mini Clubman concept

Keep up-to-date with all the latest news by following us on twitter.com/scotcars

Jim McGill