With each new model the Mini is becoming less Mini and more Maxi, at least in terms of size. The all-new Clubman is 158mm longer, 10mm wider and 119mm lower than the previous Clubman. That extra space has been put to good use, while the design has tried to keep some of the original quirkiness, successful to a degree.

It’s a new Clubman we’re looking at, with some of the previous oddities removed. Like the single suicide rear door, replaced by four normal doors. Although at the rear the two side-hinged barn doors remain, sitting between new light clusters. At the front there’s a resemblance to the new hatchback, with oval headlights with LED clusters and a very rounded bonnet.

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The engine range is the same as in the new hatchback launched last year, so there are two petrol and one diesel variant to choose from. The engines range from a 1.5-litre 134bhp three-cylinder, up to a 2.0-litre 189bhp four-pot. They all have a six-speed manual gearbox as standard although an eight-speed auto box is optional.

There are further engines planned to be added to the range, including a 168bhp version of the turbodiesel in the Cooper SD Clubman and a 228bhp turbo petrol 2.0-litre in the Cooper S Clubman John Cooper Works.

Standard equipment levels are good, and include sat-nav, LED interior lights and Bluetooth. These sit in a new-look cabin with new controls influenced by BMW. There are the occasional nods to the past, such as the large central round binnacle, although this now houses the sat-nav. The boot has grown by 10 litres, and there’s 1250 litres to store your junk if the rear seats are folded flat.

The Mini Clubman will be on sale from the end of October in the UK, with prices starting at £19,995 for the Cooper, £22,265 for the Cooper D and £22,755 for the range-topping Cooper S.