See all Motoring NewsFashion designers, boutique cake bakers and art gallery owners rejoice. MINI has created what it calls 'a compact lifestyle van for business and leisure - the first concept of its kind in the premium segment'. The MINI Clubvan Concept, the result of ripping the rear seats out of one of the unsold Clubman models stored out the back, is set to go on display at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show.
Promising to offer the style and driving fun of a passenger MINI the Clubvan features a flat floor with integrated attachment hoops that can be used to bungee cord cargo into position. There is no official word on the loading space but you can expect more than the 930 litres offered by the 'conventional' MINI Clubman.
The Clubvan retains the Clubman's five-door layout with two front doors for the driver and front passenger, two barn doors at the rear and the rear-opening Clubdoor on the right-hand side. On the Clubvan the controversial door actually makes sense as it allows for the loading of small items much like a regular panel van.
Like the rest of the MINI range customisation of the Clubvan will be key to its appeal, with made-to-measure drawers or shelving units likely to top the list ahead of personalised mirror caps and multi-colour interior lights. No word yet on what engine powers the Clubvan Concept but with low cost of ownership being touted as a selling point the 90hp 1.6-litre diesel from the One D would make sense.
What next? The Countryvan?
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