Mini recently rolled out facelifted versions of its three- and five-door hatchbacks, as well as the Cabrio. So what’s next? The Clubman.
That much we already suspected when a reader sent us some photos of a partially camouflaged Clubman prototype driving down the highway. But here we have a much better look.
With some of the camo wrap now removed (and much clearer photos), we can see that the update, at least cosmetically, is rather minor. New taillight graphics, mainly, derived from the Union Jack (as the British flag is known).
Based on the shorter models unveiled refreshed in Detroit earlier this year, we might also expect new headlights and a spruced up cabin with a new three-spoke steering wheel. Some trim updates inside and out as well, and some upgraded powertrain equipment under the hood. But nothing earth-shattering here.
Mini first introduced the modern Clubman in 2007 as a wagon version of the hatchback, with a rather unusual door arrangement. With the standard Mini Hatch having sprouted an available extra set of doors, the current second-gen Clubman arrived in 2015 with a more conventional layout, an elongated form, and a more upscale position.
Judging by the apparently preparedness of this prototype and the calendar of events, we’d expect Mini to lift the veil off the updated Clubman at the forthcoming Paris Motor Show. We’d also expect mostly (if not completely) the same range of trim and engine options, ranging (on a global basis) from the base Cooper to the performance-oriented John Cooper Works model (which will likely follow at a later date).