Mini Clubvan has loads of style if little space

Remember the original Mini van – a vehicle so basic that exterior paint and a passenger seat were optional extras? The recently-launched BMW reincarnation is a world away from such austerity, with its plush leather interior and carpeted load bay, but there again the latest van is aimed at an entirely different buying base.

The Mini Clubvan puts form before function but its stylish appeal is hard to resist

BMW says the Clubvan is still an honest little worker but sees the typical owner more in tune with lifestyle trades and so needs a trendy dual role vehicle for business and perhaps social use – something the van caters for quite brilliantly.

The Clubvan is little more than a Clubman estate with the side windows blanked out and the rear seat removed. The range starts with a petrol 1.6-litre in “One” trim, although the upmarket Cooper diesel is expected to account for an amazing 70 per cent of sales.

To drive, the Clubvan looks and feels just like a normal Mini, which means it’s great fun with very good performance from the 112bhp 1.6-litre diesel engine that boasts bags of pulling torque though a six-speed gearbox. Add typical Mini handling and you have one of the fastest and smartest vans on the block for speedy deliveries.

From a practical standpoint, it’s not half as impressive. As a load carrier, it’s pretty mediocre but no worse than rivals such as the Peugeot Bipper, Citroen Nemo and perhaps the Ford Fiesta, says BMW. We think the original Minivan was roomier.

The doors are also a niggle. The two rear ones use hydraulic assistance for opening which sounds a good idea – except that the pressure is too strong for you, with your hands full, to nudge them shut as you normally would do. And while the Clubvan retains that small useful side door found on the Clubman estate, its use is negated by the stout full mesh bulkhead fitted.

To be fair, workrate is not what the Clubvan is primarily about – and nor is value. Prices start from £11,175 (plus VAT) but you can go all the way to the thick end of 20 grand if you want to spec one up. For example, our test Cooper D cost £13,600 basic, but options such as the £1,117 Media Pack (Bluetooth and sat nav), the £813 Pepper Pack (automatic air con, front fog lights, auto wipers and light activation), four kerb-prone alloy wheels (£942) and leather trim, which also costs a whopping £942, all pushed the price up to more than £18,000. BMW points out that residual values will be very strong.

For all its drawbacks – not least its high screen price – we loved the Clubvan but reckon it may simply be too small and plush for most operators.

If you are expecting a practical pick-up spin-off like the original Mini, don’t hold your breath says BMW, although it did make a concept one complete with a jacuzzi in the back.

VITAL STATS

VAN Mini Clubvan Cooper D

PRICE £13,600 (ex VAT)

WARRANTY 3 yrs unlimited mileage

SERVICE INTERVAL Varies

LOAD L: 1150mm W: 1090mm (max) H: 660 mm

PAYLOAD 500 kg

TOWING LIMIT 750 kg

ECONOMY 72.4 mpg

CO2 EMISSIONS 103 g/km