A Mini Clubman concept to feature at next week's Geneva Motor Show will offer the prospect of a 'proper' 4-door Mini in the traditional design mode, writes Brian Byrne.
The concept dumps the third half-door idea in the current Clubman, allowing decent access to the longer and wider vehicle. Not least, this means that in RHD markets like Ireland, Australia and Japan, rear occupants don't have to egress into traffic.
Just as important, the car's dashboard finally puts the important driving information directly in front of the driver, and the icon mid-dash circle becomes a touch-screen for managing ancillary functions, using 'haptic' technology that feeds back a sense of which virtual button is being pressed.
This could be the most important Mini concept for a generation, as it signals a major shift from iconic cute to practical usability.
As usual, we'll be at Geneva, giving you the live coverage which adds the Irish context to the most important European motor show of the year.
