Mini Goes Commercial With New Concept
Like the production Clubman, it has a third rear-hinged door on the passenger side and barn-door-style cargo doors. Instead of seating five, however, the concept seats two in front, with a flat load floor in back for cargo. The passenger and cargo areas are divided by a fixed aluminum and stainless-steel panel, and the rear window is tinted to seclude the cargo. To keep items from sliding, Mini added six recessed anchors with elastic straps to the cargo area. A 12-volt outlet was also added for power tools.
Mini is aiming at upscale businesses with the new concept, and says the Clubvan can be customized with made-to-order drawers, shelves and bins inside and business logos and custom design themes outside. In a statement, the automaker says it’s aiming at “premium small businesses who want to combine sharp driving dynamics with low cost of ownership, while also making a style statement with their company van.”
Mini didn’t mention production plans for the Clubvan, but this isn’t the first time the brand attempted to attract commercial-van shoppers. The Clubvan concept echoes Mini’s Morris Mini Van from the ’60s.
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