Maximizing the Mini

2008 Clubman is big enough for a cello and some fun

Got cello?

No problem. It’ll fit right in a new king-sized 2008 Mini Cooper Clubman, says Andrew Cutler, Mini’s communications manager.
Think of the Clubman as a sports car disguised as a really cool, miniature station wagon — and an affordable one to boot. The base Clubman lists at $20,600, with the speedier Clubman S coming in at $24,100. And a standard six-speed Clubman gets an Earth-friendly 28 miles per gallon city, 37 highway.

“That’s pretty impressive,” says Cutler, who piloted a Clubman on a 90-mile round trip for three days straight.
“I took it easy and kept it at 75 miles per hour, and I recorded a 37.2 mpg highway. And you know, I’m the PR guy, but to actually experience it firsthand was pretty amazing.”

The Clubman’s “real strength” is its appeal to enthusiasts who covet a two-door Mini Cooper but need something a little bigger, Cutler says. Take the Mini owner who plays the cello and manages to squeeze the instrument into the car.

Speaking of space, when the Mini launched six years ago, Playboy ran up a faux ad with a blueprint of the car and tongue-in-cheek instructions on how to get lucky within its tiny confines.

“Remove seat belts,” it began. “Move front seat slightly forward. Lower backrest not quite all the way. Put small pillow or folded clothing on seat bottom; helps soften seat hinge hitting partner’s back. Make sure the emergency brake is in the down position.”

“It was the funniest thing, because they created it,” Cutler says. “We didn’t want to do a traditional ad in Playboy.”
The hot color? Too early to tell, but look for the metallic brown “hot chocolate” to vie for that honor.

Cutler’s bottom line: “I think people really wondered where Mini was going — how far can the brand go — will this brand be a one-hit wonder? And I think a lot of people were pleasantly surprised when we came out with the Clubman.”