Text by Hans G. Lehmann
Copyright by Lehmann Photo-Syndication
11-07-2006

The Many Doors of BMW’s Mini Traveller
While the new BMW Mini sedan version has already been released to the market, two more variants are still to come.

The convertible and the wagon version named Traveller, the latter being the most intriguing one, because everybody is trying to find out the system of the car’s many doors.

Here are the latest photos showing that the Traveller estate has, besides the two winged rear door (each has its own window washer), in fact another pair of narrow rear side doors similar to the Mazda RX 8.

Those doors are rear-hinged and disguised on the pictured prototype with distinct black tape. These extra doors will give easier access for passengers to get into the rear seats or to allow easier access to the loading platform behind the driver once the rear seats are folded down.

Due to the longer wheel base the Traveller can seat five passengers. The Mini Traveller is expected to be due in two years time from now.

The photos are showing a prototype and one computer image which suggests how the Traveller’s door system may work once the car is released.

Text by Hans G. Lehmann
Copyright by Lehmann Photo-Syndication
01-29-2007

Here are latest photos from current cold weather testing in Scandinavia revealing finally the secret of the special door design of BMW’s brand new Mini estate. Except for a little tape over the taillights and the door line on the right side, the prototype is completely undisguised.
Until now dubbed Traveller, the new model will be called Clubman and is scheduled for release in November this year.

As can be seen on the photos, the passenger’s side of the car will get an extra small side door to give better access to the rear seats, while the driver’s side has just one door.

Two side hinged rear doors with one window washer each give access to the loading platform, which can be enlarged when folding down the rear seats.

Due to the longer wheel base the Clubman can seat five passengers.