MINI of Peabody threw a fun introduction party for the MINI Clubman tonight. The event started with an excellent catered dinner and drinks (including Young’s Double Chocolate Stout) at its Centenial Drive service facility. After an hour and a half of mingling and munching, they filed everyone into the service bays and started the show.
After going over some MINI news (including the announcement that MOP will eventually be moving to their current Acura location on Rt. 114), Paul first displayed a parade of the current model MINIs. Then we had a parade of Clubmen (?) with several creative demonstrations. Afterwards everyone was able to have a first hand look at all the new MINIs, and of course everyone had to climb into the back seat.
As I had thought, the Clubman looked better in person than I had seen in many photos. I do like the contrasting rear design, though I’m still not crazy about its side profile. I have no desire for one but I do think it was a smart idea, as many people have avoided a MINI simply because they wanted a bit more rear legroom. I met one excited person who already had theirs on order for and that very reason, their first mini.
Thanks for all the great pictures, Josh … yes, your photos do make the back end look better than I expected. Maybe it’s the new MINIpress policy – make it look ugly, then people will like it more when they see it!
Comment by Ian C. — February 16, 2008 @ 9:18 am
Josh, nice pics. We out here in la got to drive them, auto, manual, Cooper and S. It’s as Ian sez a very, very different animal. If I needed a wagon I would consider it. We only had the Lazer Blue, Silver and that brown thing. Is the red shown CR or a new colour?
Comment by twistybitz — February 16, 2008 @ 11:18 pm
It’s Nightfire Red, and it looks great. It especially goes well with the rear contrasting color.
Comment by Josh Wardell — February 17, 2008 @ 11:53 am