MINI Clubman Production Ends After 17-year Run

The MINI plant in Oxford marked a bittersweet milestone recently as it produced the final MINI Clubman unit. The model goes out of production without a direct successor.

The MINI plant in Oxford, UK marked a milestone earlier this week as it produces its final MINI Clubman unit. This marks the split-rear-doored estate model’s end after a 17-year production run and, sadly, there won’t be follow up to this in MINI’s next generation line-up.

The bittersweet moment comes 55 years after the model’s original debut in 1969, nearly two decades after the Clubman was “reborn” in 2007 under BMW’s control. Over 1.1 million units have been built, with over 550,000 units from which being produced in the BMW-era.

From the first iteration, the MINI Clubman stood apart from its iconic hatch twin thanks not only to its long-roofed estate body styling, but also through its signature adoption of split-opening ‘barn doors’ rear hatch. The latter design ensured both doors would always open fully for easier access and loading without obscuring the rear lights.

The model spanned three generations, with the original first-gen being produced between 1969 and 1982. It was revived for a second- and third-gen models developed and built under BMW Group since 2007.

The first-generation original saw over 600,000 units built and shifted between 1969 and 1982. BMW Group revived the nameplate in 2007 with a second-gen iteration, which retained both the long-roofed look and signature split rear hatch.

Said model also gained a peculiar narrow rear-hinged third door on the right side which, in left-hand-drive (LHD) versions, made sense as it offered easier rear seat access for passengers. However, said third door wasn’t repositioned in right-hand-drive (RHD) versions, and proved cumbersome.

The third-gen follow up came in 2015, this time packing four regular doors instead, but retained its signature split rear hatch opening.

Over 1.1 million units of the MINI Clubman was built since 1969, with over over 550,000 units of which shifted under BMW Group's stewardship.

The MINI Clubman Final Edition was announced in April last year, and just 20 units from its global limited-run of 1,969 units made landfall in Malaysia at RM318,888 apiece.

The end was inevitable for this quirky long-roofed estate (wagon) variant of the MINI as signalled by BMW Group’s move in releasing the MINI Clubman Final Edition special back in April last year. A limited run of just 1,969 units worldwide was planned – said figure symbolising the first-generation original’s debut year.

From that, just 20 units of the MINI Clubman Final Edition made landfall in Malaysia back in Nov last year, each tagged at RM318,888 sans insurance. A quick check online revealed that stocks of the regular Clubman variants are still available locally, currently priced between RM303,388 (Cooper S, excluding extended warranty and service) and RM362,358 (JCW, extended warranty and service included).

Keen on a used one instead? Plenty have found their way into the local used car market, and you view a number of which listed by our dealer-partners by clicking these blue words...

Moving forward, the SUV-styled latest-generation MINI Countryman will stand in as the Clubman’s replacement. The upcoming MINI Aceman will also play a similar role when it officially launches later this year and slot itself below the Countryman mentioned.