Mini UK’s most contentious decision here was not to offer the Clubman originally in the entry-level One specification, which they duly rectified and then removed with no fanfare.
The decision would have been taken partly because we’ve got a record of embracing the Mini brand and spending plenty of cash on its cars over the years – and so a better-equipped, more premium-brand position makes financial sense for BMW. And after giving customers the option to buy a One D Clubman, many shunned it for the higher powered models.
It also better protected residual values, which our sources expect to be competitive, although not outstanding – and therefore, for the first time in living memory for a Mini, perhaps in need of protection.
But now would-be fleet users have access to the only version of the Clubman with sub-100g/km CO2 emissions.
Even with its new entry-level model, Mini can afford to fit its 6.5in colour infotainment system, with iDrive-style controller and Mini Navigation, as standard to all cars. We would also opt to add the Chili Pack (£2785), Media Pack (£1010) and variable damper control (£450) to the Clubman, it would also be worth asking the dealer to throw in a smaller set of alloys on non-run flat tyres and a spacesaver spare wheel.
