New Mini Clubman - hit or miss?

[gina2201]

Not my cup of tea...

 

[TonyVianoAmbiente]

I think it's the best looking "British Leyland" car since the Allegro Mk 1.

Having that extra door on the right for the UK market is just plain silly. With today's versatile manufacturing, there is no reason why a proper RHD version could not have been made.

 

[Apial]

Have you tried it after a crash where the front ones are jammed.?

I dont' know where it is written that it is accepted as best practise that rear doors must be fitted to allow escape of trapped rear seat passengers. In fact it is not. I know this because it would make the manufacture of all coupes too liable to litigation from accident victims. Wether it is accepted best practise for rear doors to be openable is another matter, but as no rear doors at all is acceptable, I can't see any problem with this cars design.

If you are asking me personally, then no, I have not had the misfortune to have been trapped in a crashed car. Judging by the use of cutting gear by the emergency services, I would imagine that jammed doors are a pretty regular occurence. Fortunately though, this vehicle appears to have rear doors, which would be useful to make an exit through, making it safer than sitting in the back of my CE.

 

[Swiss Toni]

Judging by the use of cutting gear by the emergency services, I would imagine that jammed doors are a pretty regular occurence.

Not really, just that it is easier to lift a seated person upwards rather than bend them to get through a door appature (which is likely to worsten any injury).

I'd rather be in the rear of a W124 Coupe than say, a 4 door Granada of the same era, but the passive safety of even the most basic modern design has moved on (and airbags, airbags, airbags) such that a modern supermini would fare better than most W124, W202 etc..

MB actually publish a guide for emergency services to detail where the appropriate points are to cut a roof off.

I *think* the issue with RHS suicide door is that it gives the rear seat passenger no choice but to step out into traffic?
In most cars with 2 doors, the front seats tilt to allow the choice, but here the suggestion was that you get out one side only?

Emperors new clothes.

 

[ShinyF1]

Yeah - but what's suicidal about it that doesn't already exist on other cars/vehicles? That's what I don't understand. I might just be being a bit thick - but I don't get it Is it the rear passenger off side door we are discussing? as apposed to the rear vehicle doors. Either way, why is it any more dangerous than exisiting ones? Like the RX8, to use the rear doors you have to have the front doors open - so they are not suicide.

Heres a useful article on it

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/autoexpressnews/202578/mini_traveller.html

btw - I have to say it looksa lot better in the colours in post #11 than the Smart Forfour colours.

Still don't like it - it only has the rear door on one side. Daft, eh? Compare the two images - they don't show you both sides in the publicity blurb...

The trouble is it's the door's on the same side regardless of steering wheel orientation

 

[Martin]

I *think* the issue with RHS suicide door is that it gives the rear seat passenger no choice but to step out into traffic?
In most cars with 2 doors, the front seats tilt to allow the choice, but here the suggestion was that you get out one side only?

You can exit the rear on both sides like most 2 door cars by just tilting the front seats as normal, the "suicide" door is just an added feature on one side which gives even wider access if and when required.

 

[Apial]

You can exit the rear on both sides like most 2 door cars by just tilting the front seats as normal, the "suicide" door is just an added feature on one side which gives even wider access if and when required.

Exactly. If you have to get out on the drivers side you at least have the benefit of a wider aperture to get through, unlike the standard version. Getting out of my CE on the drivers side is much worse with the huge doors.

Any way, all this concern about the back seat passengers is missing the point. The passengers get another 3" of leg room and you can now fit 3 adults in the back unlike the standard MINI.

This is the coolest estate on the road. They will sell like hot cakes, and if you haven't already ordered one, you will have a long wait in the queue.


There is a review in the Sunday Times today, and they give it 5*. They say that the driving experience is just as dynamic as the standard MINI Cooper S. 44.8mpg on the combined cycle, 0-60 7.6sec, top speed 139mpg. £17,210

 

[verytalldave]

Exactly. If you have to get out on the drivers side you at least have the benefit of a wider aperture to get through, unlike the standard version. Getting out of my CE on the drivers side is much worse with the huge doors.

Any way, all this concern about the back seat passengers is missing the point. The passengers get another 3" of leg room and you can now fit 3 adults in the back unlike the standard MINI.

This is the coolest estate on the road. They will sell like hot cakes, and if you haven't already ordered one, you will have a long wait in the queue.


There is a review in the Sunday Times today, and they give it 5*. They say that the driving experience is just as dynamic as the standard MINI Cooper S. 44.8mpg on the combined cycle, 0-60 7.6sec, top speed 139mpg. £17,210

Well Joe Public certainly wont be getting any discounts on this little baby for some time so it gonna be full price - "take it or leave it sir".
I can think of a dozen cars I would rather own with £17,210 burning a hole in my pocket.
Top of the list would be a low mileage 2005/6 well loaded W203. :bannana: