The MINI Clubman in action

It’s not official yet, but the 2008 MINI Clubman S is about as close to production as you can get without an official auto show debut. We’ve seen auto show concepts and more prototypes than we can count, but this is spy video of the turbocharged Clubman S making time on the Nürburgring.

With virtually no camouflage, this MINI Clubman S reveals about all you need to know about the styling of this stretched Cooper S. For the most part it’s identical to the standard coupe, with the same front-end detailing and a big air intake in the middle of the hood. Tape on the side windows attempts to disguise the extra-long profile, although it doesn’t look as though there are any substantial reinforcements to the structure.

Past prototypes often had what looked like a rear door on the driver side, but this test mule doesn’t try to hide the fact that only the passenger side will get an extra opening. It’s also clear that this prototype has a set of center-opening cargo doors similar to those shown on the various concepts. We’re not sure how practical this design will prove, but it does look cool.

Don’t expect much to change under the hood, as the Clubman S will mostly likely show up with the same drivetrain as the Cooper S. With 172 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque, there’s plenty of power on tap to keep even this slightly larger Mini quick on its feet. Don’t be surprised to see the six-speed automatic as standard equipment, however, as the Clubman could be pitched as a more utilitarian MINI than its sportier coupe sibling.

The 2007 Frankfurt Auto Show is the most likely venue for the introduction of this new Mini. Then again, this is the company that always likes to do things a little differently, so don’t be surprised if it emerges well before Frankfurt in full production trim somewhere else. Sales of the Mini Clubman in the U.S. are expected to start in early 2008.
 

Check out footage of the clubman lapping at the Nürburgring

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By Ed Hellwig, Senior Editor at Edmunds Inside Line