Mini is considering an increase in the size of the Clubman for its next generation, turning it into an SUV, while at the same time working on ways to reduce the external bulkiness of its three-door hatchback model.
In the US, Mini is losing sales because it has only one SUV – the Mini Countryman – which many Americans perceive to be too small to justify its purchase price. The shift towards SUVs has triggered a steep decline in hatchback and saloon sales, necessitating a dealer retrenchment.
Chief designer Oliver Heilmer hinted to Autocar that the next Clubman could move towards an SUV format. Currently, the six-door estate is only slightly shorter (4.26m) and wider (1.82m) than its Countryman sibling, and both occupy the same market pricing level.
It’s unclear at this stage whether the Clubman will become substantially bigger to differentiate it from the Countryman, or whether the latter will grow to provide two SUVs of distinctly different sizes. Heilmer refused to comment on Autocar’s report on the return of the Traveller name as an electric MPV sharing parts with the BMW i3.
He did talk about the efforts being made to improve the space efficiency of Mini’s next three-door hatchback. Heilmer said: “For future architecture, we’re having weekly discussions to improve interior space and reduce the car’s footprint. But it’s not solved yet. Maybe next year.” He also noted that the “development cost is also an issue”.
“It’s not necessarily the internal combustion engine that needs the space – even with an EV (which has a smaller motor) you still need a crash box,” Heilmer continued, referring to the progressively deformable and substantial structure around the powertrain. “Crash performance is the bigger issue.”
Another challenge is dealing with “an electric motor that might keep running”. This is a post-crash circumstance that does not usually affect cars with internal combustion engines.
