Wednesday, March 16, 2016

The New MINI Clubman: Go With Your Gut


Wazzup Pilipinas!

MINI Asia and MINI Philippines have introduced the new MINI Clubman to conquer the premium compact segment. The new model offers the highest level of everyday practicality, long distance suitability, versatility and ride comfort ever seen in a MINI.

At a lavish launch held at Axion Green Sun located at Pasong Tamo Extension on March 10, 2016, we got to see the unveiling of the new MINI Clubman luxury vehicles namely the MINI Cooper Clubman and the MINI Cooper S Clubman. 

MINI Executives Willy Tee Ten, President and Sunny Medalla, Head of Asia Pacific, were there to give their message about the new models. MINI Philippines General Manager Lito Jose was also there for the ceremonial toast welcoming the new MINI Clubman models.

The venue was themed with cool, classy and sophisticated displays showing how you would also look when driving the new MINI Clubman. 

There were areas where you can have a haircut and a shoe shine, a spot where they customize you leather key holder with your initials,  bars for cocktails and coffee, displays of artistic furniture form a famous designer, a spot for suits, shirts and ties from a foreign brand, a couple of food stalls where you can queue for pasta, salads, and many other choices, a dessert station for the sweet tooth, and a sala set where you can relax and unwind while sipping your cocktails.


The ambiance was truly for the gentleman as the MINI Clubman is ideal as a cool ride for the truly discerning in taste and style.

We will post all the images of the new MINI Clubman on our Facebook page so it won't flood this blog article. Please check the The New MINI Clubman Launch album at http://www.Facebook.com/wazzuppilipinas


Video of the highlights of the event is posted on our YouTube channel at http://www.YouTube.com/user/wazzuppilipinas


With four doors and the characteristic split doors at the rear, five fully-fledged seats and a generously sized, versatile interior, the new MINI Clubman meets all the requirements of the compact class in terms of functionality in its own unconventional way. Individual style, outstanding driving fun and the quality level of a premium automobile make it an exceptional phenomenon that allows additional target groups to get a taste of the distinctive MINI feeling.

“When the MINI Clubman was first presented in 2007, it was responding to a desire for space to accommodate more passengers and luggage as well as to expectations of a 21st century automobile in terms of comfort, safety and efficiency. It took the shooting brake concept in MINI style to a whole new dimension. Today, the new MINI Clubman far surpasses its predecessor not only in dimensions but in providing an overall better driving experience packed with more technology and innovations than before,” said Mr. Willy Tee Ten, President of MINI Philippines.

The matured character of the new MINI Clubman is reflected in dimensions that are significantly larger than the predecessor model, a distinctive body concept, high-quality materials and finish quality and also new features in the areas of drive, suspension comfort, safety, controls and connectivity based on the latest MINI generation. Its status as the largest representative of the new MINI generation is also clearly shown in comparison with the MINI 5 door. The new MINI Clubman is 4,253mm (+271mm) longer and 1,800mm (+73mm) wider than the MINI 5 door, while its wheelbase is 2,670mm (+103mm) longer. Its luggage compartment has a volume of 360 litres, which can be extended to as much as 1,250 litres by folding down the rear backrest with its 40:20:40 split.



Exterior Design: Shooting Brake Concept.

The new MINI Clubman introduces a contemporary interpretation of the tradition-steeped shooting brake concept. This genre of vehicle - especially popular in the country in which MINI originated, the UK - combines sporty style with functionality and is reflected in design by means of a stretched silhouette, a long roof line and a steep rear.

Classic design features and the emotionally appealing styling indicate the kinship of the new MINI Clubman as part of the brand's model family while at the same time setting it clearly apart from its competitors. Circular headlamps with chrome surrounds, the hexagonal contours of the radiator grille and the vigorously arched power dome of the engine compartment lid define the front view in characteristic MINI style. The lower air inlet is particularly wide, thereby highlighting the car's solid stature. The bumper trim, integrated in the radiator grille and also acting as a number plate carrier.








 

New MINI Features: Air Curtains and Air Breathers Optimise Air Ducting.

The aerodynamic properties of the new MINI Clubman are optimised by means of precisely conceived air ducting elements, which are now applied to a model of the British brand for the first time. The so-called Air Curtains consist of narrow, vertically arranged openings in the outer sections of the lower air inlet. From here, air is selectively channeled around the wheel arches. It flows along the wheels with much reduced turbulence, escaping once again through Air Breathers in the rear section of the side panels. A model-specific roof spoiler also helps reduce aerodynamic drag. The bottom edge of the body features black surrounds in the new MINI Clubman. A new design has also been created for the side scuttles - the elements which embellish the front side panels along with the side turn indicators.


Split Doors and Rear Lights in Novel Design.

The split doors with their striking metal surround are the most outstanding feature at the rear of the new MINI Clubman. The central bar between the glass sections of the two side-opening wings is significantly narrower than in the predecessor model, thereby optimising the view to the rear. The split doors are opened by means of a dual-section door handle finished in chrome. Non-contact opening of the split doors is possible in combination with the standard Comfort Access function. If the driver is carrying the car key, it is sufficient to make a foot movement under the rear apron to trigger automatic opening. The likewise newly designed, horizontally oriented rear lights are integrated in the wing doors and have chrome surrounds. Additional lights arranged below the doors perform a signaling function when the split doors are open. The impression of a body that rests powerfully on its wheels is emphasized from this perspective, too, with a contour edge in the rear apron as well as the downward increase in width at the rear that is typical of MINI. The MINI Cooper S Clubman, meanwhile, has an aerodynamically optimised bumper including diffuser element and two exhaust tailpipes that are set wide apart.


Interior: Generous Space, New Design.

Five fully-fledged seats, convenient access, plenty of freedom to move for all occupants and a versatile luggage compartment are the salient features of the MINI Clubman as it advances into the premium compact segment. The generous space and comprehensive redesign of the interior ensure that the driving fun so characteristic of the brand can be enjoyed in a unique ambience. A clear signal of the more sophisticated character of the MINI Clubman is its exceptionally wide instrument panel with cockpit facia frame. This design feature is also echoed in the door trim panels and centre console. Below the air outlets there is a horizontal decorative strip which lends additional emphasis to the width of the interior. The central instrument typical of the brand is integrated in the instrument panel of the new MINI Clubman in especially harmonious style. Fitted with either a 6.5-inch (for both Cooper and Cooper S variant) colour screen, it serves as a display for vehicle, infotainment, phone function (for Cooper S variant only) and has an LED ring surround which responds to the current situation on the road and to specific operating procedures by means of an interactive lighting display. The selection and control of all functions is facilitated by a Controller in the centre console, which is also where the electrical parking brake button is situated. Meanwhile, the elliptically shaped surrounds in the door panelling frame the speakers and door openers. The decorative strips of the door trim also follow a gently curved contour back to the rear. This creates a visual connection between the two rows of seats that emphasises the generous space of the interior.


Atmospheric Lighting.

With the new MINI Yours Interior Styles feature, the new MINI Clubman now comes with a striking door trim design highlighted by means of indirectly illuminated decorative strips. They are combined with interior trim finishers available in various types. The lighting package with LED interior and ambient lighting also creates an atmospheric ambience comprising all colours of the rainbow (up to 255 colours) whichever suits your mood.

In conjunction with the special equipment feature MINI Excitement Package, this offers continuously variable colour changes and has also been extended to include a light display that is activated when opening and closing the car. On activation of the remote key, the MINI logo is projected onto the ground for 20 seconds from an additional light source in the exterior mirror on the driver's side.


Powerful Engines with MINI TwinPower Turbo Technology.

The MINI Cooper Clubman and MINI Cooper S Clubman are both powered by the latest generation three and four cylinders engines, respectively. They are also driven by MINI TwinPower Turbo Technology. All motorisations meet the EU6 exhaust emission standard.

The MINI Cooper S Clubman is powered by a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder engine with a peak output of 192hp and maximum torque of 280Nm from 1,250 rpm. Torque can even briefly be increased to 300Nm by means of an overboost function. As a result, acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h takes just 7.1 seconds, while the top speed is 228 km/h. The average fuel consumption of the MINI Cooper S Clubman is 5.9 litres per 100 km, with CO2 emissions of 138 g/100km (per LTA figures).

With output of 136 hp and a maximum torque of 220 Nm from 1,250 rpm (230 Nm with overboost), the 1.5-litre 3-cylinder petrol engine in the MINI Cooper Clubman also enables a sporty driving performance. The MINI Cooper Clubman sprints in from 0 to 100 km/h in 9.1 seconds, with a top speed of 205 km/h. Its average fuel consumption is 5.4 litres per 100km and CO2 emissions level is 125 g/100km (per LTA figures).


A MINI Premiere: 8-Speed Sports Automatic Transmission.

The new MINI Clubman is fitted as standard with either a 6-speed Automatic transmission (Cooper variant) or an 8-speed Sports Automatic with shift paddles (Cooper S variant) of the latest generation. The automatic transmission is characterised by low weight, a high level of internal efficiency and shift comfort optimised by means of carbon fibre friction linings for the synchroniser rings. A gear sensor also enables active engine speed adaptation for especially sporty shifting when accelerating and increased comfort when shifting down. This automatic transmission type is available in a MINI for the first time, providing an even more favourable basis for efficient, comfortable and sporty driving due to a broader gear spread and smaller engine speed steps. The 8-speed Steptronic sports transmission offers even shorter shift times that can be operated in manual mode by means of shift paddles at the steering wheel. It also has a Launch Control function for traction-optimised acceleration with maximum dynamic performance from standing (for Cooper S variant only).


The Full Range of Driver Assistance Systems.

The driver assistance systems optionally available for the MINI Clubman enable selective optimisation of comfort, driving fun and safety. They include Park Distance Control with sensors at front (optional) and rear (standard), a rear view camera (optional), the Parking Assistant (optional) which helps the driver select and use parking spaces parallel to the road, and a cruise control with brake function (standard).

The optional Driving Assistant feature comprises a camera-based cruise control and distance control function that automatically maintains a distance from the vehicle ahead, as well as the collision and pedestrian warning system with initial brake function. In critical situations, the driver is initially warned by means of visual and acoustic signals. Additionally, an automatic brake manoeuvre is triggered in the case of an imminent collision with a pedestrian or if there is a risk of a rear-on collision in urban traffic.

The likewise optional MINI Head-Up-Display promotes concentration on the road by projecting driving-related information onto an extendible display in the upper area of the instrument panel between the windscreen and steering wheel. This allows quick and convenient reading of the information without the driver having to avert their eyes from the road.

The MINI Cooper S Clubman and MINI Cooper Clubman are both retailing at MINI Global City, MINI Roadshow Greenhills and MINI Cebu for Php 3,200,000 and Php 2,700,000, respectively.

MINI Cooper S Clubman
Four-cylinder petrol engine with MINI Twin Power Turbo Technology (turbocharging, direct injection, VALVETRONIC).
Capacity: 1,998cc
Max output: 192 hp at 5,000 rpm
Max torque: 280 Nm from 1,250 rpm (300Nm with overboost)
Acceleration: 0-100 km/h in 7.1 seconds
Top speed:  228 km/h
Average fuel consumption to the EU standard: 5.9 litres/100km
CO2 emissions to the EU standard: 138 g/km.

MINI Cooper Clubman
Three-cylinder petrol engine with MINI Twin Power Turbo Technology (turbocharging, direct injection, VALVETRONIC).
Capacity: 1,499cc
Max output: 136 hp at 4,400 rpm
Max torque: 220 Nm from 1,250 rpm (230Nm with overboost)
Acceleration: 0-100 km/h in 9.1 seconds
Top speed:  205 km/h
Average fuel consumption to the EU standard: 5.4 litres/100km

CO2 emissions to the EU standard: 125 g/km.

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