MINI Unveils Redesigned, Larger 2016 Clubman

MINI has unveiled its redesigned 2016 Clubman, and in the automaker’s seemingly unending quest to be oxymoronic, the MINI has gotten bigger again.

The new Clubman, which has been re-done from the ground up, is longer (168.3 inches) and wider (70.9 inches), so rear seat passengers get more shoulder, head- and legroom. This makes the Clubman nearly seven inches longer than its Countryman sibling. This also means more cargo room with the fold-flat rear seats, and easy access with the Clubman’s signature spilt rear doors. Besides updated exterior styling, a new feature is the ability to open the rear doors with a foot-activated sensor.

SEE ALSO: 2015 MINI Cooper S Hardtop 4-Door Review

The new Clubman Cooper will be available with a six-speed manual transmission or a six-speed automatic. The Cooper will be powered by a 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine with 134 hp and 162 lb-ft of torque, while the Cooper S variant will come with a 2.0L turbo four-cylinder with 189 hp and 207 lb-ft. The Cooper S will also be offered with an optional eight-speed automatic, the first time this transmission will be used in the MINI lineup. Zero to 60 for the Cooper S rings in at around seven seconds and at nine seconds for the base Cooper.

The previous-generation MINI has been around since 2007.

Originally one of the MINIs that was rumored to be discontinued, it looks like the odd duck/wagon thing is here to stay: “Its premium styling and functional design will play a critical role as we reposition the brand over the next few years,” said David Duncan, vice-president MINI of the Americas.

The new 2016 MINI Clubman goes on sale in the U.S. in January 2016 and pricing will be announced in September.