Mini

Clubvan

MINI is putting the fun back into the workplace with its Clubvan. Based on the Clubman, it offers all the MINI trademarks but is a capable operator too.

The good

Looks, style and driving dynamics

The bad

Extra side door is pointless

Tech Specs

Price from

£11,175

Combined Fuel up to

72.4mpg

0-62 from

9.8 seconds

max speed up to

125mph

co2 from

103g/km

Test Drive

MINI Cooper D Clubvan

Whoever said driving a light commercial vehicle has to be boring needs introducing to MINI’s Clubvan which is fun, fun, fun all the way.

It’s funky, packed with MINI characteristics and is guaranteed to generate interest as it passes by which means good advertising for a company too.

Plus the Clubvan is a capable operator too and will cope with any cargo-lugging chores that come its way – it simply achieves these tasks with a little more style.

Like its sibling, the Clubman, the Clubvan also has two doors the driver’s side and just the one on the passenger’s side.

And from the second you take your seat behind the multi-function sports steering wheel, the array of MINI characteristics are everywhere to be explored discovered. These include the large central dial, toggle switches, circular air vents and gadgets galore.

A metal grate protects occupants from any bulky items in the rear along with a high shelf that prevents anything sliding forward.

The split rear doors offer easy access to the 860-litre payload and there are plenty of nets and securing straps to keep any fragile items firmly fastened.

The test model was priced at £17,055 (£14,257 excluding VAT). It also featured an additional £4,444 of optional extras.

But in true MINI tradition, the performance is vital and this particular model can sprint from 0-62mph in 10.2 seconds and tops out at 122mph. According to MINI, it can achieve 72.4mpg on a combined run and has carbon emissions of 103g/km.

The six-speed manual transmission was nice and smooth and there was plenty of power on tap from the 1.6-litre diesel engine. It was a little noisy at times, but the super sound system easily drowned out any engine or road surface din.

Comfort levels were good and the interior was neatly furnished with part leather sports seats and a snazzy cream and black colour scheme.

The all-round visibility was fine apart from that protective grate that resembled a game of Battleships every time you checked the rear-view mirror!

And as one would expect, there are techno treats galore within the Clubvan, including sat-nav, rain-sensing wipers, automatic headlights, a multi-media system with CD player and DAB radio, Bluetooth connectivity, air con and much more besides.

The Clubvan is guaranteed to turn heads as it passes by. Maybe it was due to the striking black alloys or roof rails, or possibly the fact that one of the all-time favourite brands has a van in its line-up.

But whatever the reason, there’s no doubting the Clubvan’s value to the marketplace. It’s a clear reminder that vans can be fun and load-lugging needn’t be boring anymore.