Detroit 2008: New Mini Cooper Clubman on display (video)

BMW CEO Lindsay Duffield jokingly commented at a recent conference that although BMW group doesn't build pickup-trucks, the new Mini Clubman was readying for launch as a 2008 model. His joke stems from a common complaint about the current 3-door Mini model: its size.

To solve the problem and aim the Mini brand at a new selection of customers, Mini has created the Mini Cooper Clubman and Mini Cooper S Clubman. The pair were on display from today onwards at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit.

The new five-door model takes styling lessons from past Mini's, including the Morris Mini Traveller and Austin Mini Countryman. It's a look back to history that will see the Mini brand find its way into the driveways of even more excited customers.

MINI Cooper S Clubman

Powering the Cooper and Cooper S Clubman are powered by the same engines as their 3-door counterparts. These engines employ technologies like variable timing and twin-scroll turbocharging for an optimized blend of economy and power, topping out at 172 horsepower in the S model.

The main difference and topic of discussion around the automakers stand at the NAIAS was the additional set of doors housed underneath the lengthened roof. The rear doors pivot from just ahead of the taillights on external hinge mechanisms, allowing a generous opening for loading of cargo.

It's stretched out by almost a foot as well, compared to the standard Mini, and cargo capacity is rated at nearly 33 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down.

Clubman models go on sale next month.

MINI Cooper S John Cooper Works

photo:Sébastien D'Amour