MINI Cooper Clubman - The Rumors Are Confirmed…

Apparently, a MINI Spokeswoman has confirmed that the MINI Clubman will feature a single suicide door on the right hand side of the vehicle.

Suicide doors – so called for its rear-hinge design that opens into, rather than away from, the direction of travel – were popularized in the American market on the old Lincoln Continental of the 70’s. The concept was that they made entrance and egress to the rear seat more convenient. The problem was that if the door was opened at speed it provided no protection to the rear passenger from the elements, not to mention the rushing pavement, hence the nickname “suicide”.

So it appears that MINI is hedging its bets a bit by reducing this element of danger by half. They’re only providing one rear door. As the spokeswoman was quoted in Auto Express magazine in the UK, “There are valid arguments for not having the door on either side of the car, of which cost is one”.

Aha! So it’s a money thing!

The Clubman, also referred to as Estate, R55 or Traveller, will boast this feature in all the markets it is destined for, including Hong Kong, Australia, South Africa, the U.S. and, of course, the U.K. The Clubman concept debuted at the Frankfurt Auto Show in 2005 and is a revival of a nameplate last sold 27 years ago. It should start appearing in showrooms by late 2007. And who knows? Perhaps the added ease of entry and exit will outweigh the potential risk of flying through an open door and landing face first on the macadam at 60 mph. Only time – and sales – will tell.