MotoringFile Most liked posts in thread: MINI to Introduce MINI Clubman Cargo Van at Geneva?

An artist's impression of how the Mini Cargo could look. Image: Chris Harris.

Mini is set to return to the light commercial vehicle market with a funky, cargo-oriented version of the Clubman.

Making its debut at the Geneva motor show in March, the Mini Cargo will target image-conscience buyers seeking extra boot space over the regular Clubman as well as boutique-style businesses such as coffee shops and florists preferring small vans instead of basic white boxes on wheels.

It is the first Mini van since the demise of the Austin Mini Van 30 years ago.

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While details remain scant, the newest member of the Mini family will dispatch its rear seats for a flat loading floor while its rear side windows will be replaced with more robust sheet metal. Without an extended roof, however, it's unlikely to offer a cargo capacity to outclass its rivals, which include the Citroen Berlingo, Peugeot Partner Renault Kangoo, Volkswagen Caddy and Suzuki's APV.

Such vans are popular in Europe where their city-friendly, high-roofs, generous cargo areas, hefty payloads and comfort and refinement are suited to tight city streets.

The Mini Cargo is likely to be powered by the choice of two familiar turbo-diesel four-cylinder engines already available throughout the Mini stable.

An 82kW/270Nm 1.6-litre unit is mated to a six-speed manual gearbox while buyers preferring a six-speed automatic will receive a 2.0-litre unit, which boasts identical output and economy figures as the 1.6.