With production of the MINI Clubman likely to be in its final year, the company appears to have decided to commemorate its impending retirement with a Final Edition that will be offered worldwide, but only in a limited number of 1,969 units.
Why such an odd number, you may wonder? The answer is simple – 1969 was the year the original Mini Clubman was introduced and it would be in production for 12 years.
While the modern Clubman’s estate-like style should have associated it with the original 1960s Traveller or Countryman name that the original had for its stationwagon/estate version, BMW could not use it initially because it did not have the rights to those two names. So it chose Clubman, which still has nostalgic connotations although the Countryman name would later also be acquired and used for another model.
The current MINI Clubman is the second generation which came out in 2015. The absence of any successor after 8 years raised suspicions that it would be discontinued as MINI is going forward with new product strategies, particularly with electrification.
When it was first introduced in 2007, the Clubman offered a modern interpretation of the classic shooting-brake concept. For access to the rear, one small door on the right side (rear-hinged) of the car was available and it was only on the right side even on righthand drive versions.
At the time of launch, an engineer said that to make two different bodyshells with doors on different sides would involve engineering ‘an almost new car altogether’. It was obviously additional cost which MINI did not want to spend. However, it was interesting to note that Hyundai was willing to do so for its Veloster, which had the door on the left or ride side, depending on the steering wheel location.
With the next generation from 2015, the Clubman grew to 4.25 metres in length with the wheelbase extended. This time round, the designers were able to provide doors on both sides. Together with the unique split rear doors that mimicked those on the Traveller of the 1960s, the Clubman was the more versatile model of the range.
Priced from £37,000 in the UK (about RM202,000), the Final Edition is available with a choice of three exterior paint colours – Nanuq White, Enigmatic Black and Melting Silver. Edition-specific Shimmer Copper details can be found on the surrounds and upper third of the radiator grille crossbar, side scuttles and Cooper ‘S’ blade on the rear.
MINI typical narrow lines on the body, passenger side of the bonnet and right side of the split doors. Exclusive ‘Final Edition’ lettering on the rear and ‘1 of 1969’ badge on the C-pillar side complete the exterior. There are also Final Edition Spoke 2-tone alloy wheels, 18 inches in diameter and finished in a tinted clear lacquer to give an elegant copper hue.
The door sill trims are embellished with ‘Final Edition’ lettering which is also found on the lower spoke of the Nappa leather-wrapped steering wheel. MINI Yours leather sports seats – finished exclusively in Dark Maroon Leather – offer sewn-in edition-specific badging, seat heating and adjustable thigh support. Anthracite-coloured Piquet fabric inserts, and blue contrast stitching further complement the seat design.
The dark dashboard trim is accentuated by trim strips finished in Sage Green and Shimmer Copper. On the passenger side, the trim is decorated with a ‘1 of 1969’ badge which is also found on the floor mats. Graphic lettering on the model’s key cap completes the exclusive aspects.
Other standard equipment comes from the Exclusive version and this an 8.8-inch touchscreen with MINI Navigation System, Apple CarPlay and a Digital Dashboard. Also offered is Comfort Access, Reversing Camera, Parking Assistant including Front Park Distance Control and Harmon Kardon Surround Sound.
Also offered as standard is a Panoramic Glass Sunroof which lets sunshine in but surrounding the rear section is darkened rear glass for privacy.
Most of the Final Edition units will have the Cooper S 178 bhp 4-cylinder petrol engine with MINI TwinPower Turbo Technology. Customers will also be able to order the Final Edition with a diesel engine or with all-wheel drive.
