A brand new era of the Mini Cooper is simply across the nook, scheduled to make its debut this 12 months with each electrical and fuel powertrains, however the iconic hatchback doubtless will not spawn a recent model of the Clubman wagon. A Mini fanatic web site referred to as MotoringFile claims that the manufacturing of the Clubman will finish within the first quarter of 2024, and whereas there isn’t a official affirmation of this rumor, there may be a variety of proof pointing to its veracity.
Automotive and Driver contacted a Mini spokesperson, who wouldn’t touch upon what they referred to as “extremely speculative” experiences in different media but additionally stopped wanting a denial, saying that “the corporate has not confirmed something at this level.”
We all know for sure the the Cooper hatchback will obtain a serious replace for 2025—in late 2021, Mini teased a camouflaged two-door Cooper and a two-door prototype was spied fully undisguised in China. However there was no indication of a revised Clubman mannequin in the best way of spy photographs, and whereas Mini made a splash by bringing the guide transmission again to the Cooper lineup, the Clubman was overlooked of the enjoyable.
Clubman gross sales have been on the decline because the mannequin’s peak in 2016, when the second era was launched and 12,204 items discovered properties, making it the second hottest Mini that 12 months behind solely the Countryman. Mini gross sales have decreased throughout the board since, however the Clubman has suffered worse than the four-door hatch. Final 12 months, 2469 Clubmans had been bought versus 4115 four-door Cooper hatches. The Clubman was the model’s worst-selling car, behind even the Cooper Convertible. Whereas no four-door prototypes of the next-generation Cooper have been spied but, that mannequin will most likely stay on and partially succeed the Clubman.
Mini can also be anticipated to place its Aceman idea into manufacturing, which might function a extra direct Clubman substitute. The electrical crossover will slot in under the Countryman, which is rumored to develop in dimension for its subsequent era. Whereas the Aceman is rumored to be shorter than the Clubman, the taller physique and the advantages of an EV skateboard platform might present related quantities of inside room. The Clubman’s wagon form may even be deserted for extra rugged and SUV-like styling, and, given present market traits, that seems to be a well-advised transfer by Mini.
Even when manufacturing of the Clubman extends past the primary quarter of 2024, that may doubtless be the final mannequin 12 months for the Mini wagon. The primary-generation Clubman was really quirky, with suicide rear doorways and barn doorways as an alternative of a conventional hatch. However the second era turned extra typical, and the rise of the crossover noticed the Clubman outmoded by the Countryman as the sensible mannequin within the lineup, spelling the tip for one of many few wagons left in america.
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Caleb Miller started running a blog about automobiles at 13 years outdated, and he realized his dream of writing for a automobile journal after graduating from Carnegie Mellon College and becoming a member of the Automotive and Driver crew. He loves quirky and obscure autos, aiming to sooner or later personal one thing weird like a Nissan S-Cargo, and is an avid motorsports fan.