Get ready for a less skinny Mini. Lengthened by 24 cm over the regular 3.7 meter long Mini Cooper, the unique new Mini Cooper Clubman gains more doors, more space, and more weight. The length increase results in 8 cm more rear legroom along with a minor bump in headroom. There is also a swell of cargo capacities to 260 L with the seats up (up 100 L), and 930 L with the seats down (up 250 L).
To ease entry into the more spacious back seat is a handle-less third door on the passenger side called the "Clubdoor". In a suicide style, the door remains on this (right-hand) side even when the car is ordered in right-hand-drive format in other countries, forcing rear passengers out into traffic. Though still a four seater in Canada, some markets will have a three passenger rear bench seat offered.
Walk around the back of this British vehicle and you will see 50/50 split French doors. There is a faux (inter-C) pillar positioned between these doors that takes a bite out of the rear visibility. Fortunately, each rear doors' window gets a wiper. Atop the doors span a thoughtful row of L.E.D. third brake lights determined to effectively relay their message.
In Canada, the Clubman will be offered with the same powertrain options as found on the two-door Cooper and Cooper S. The economical choice remains the 1.6 litre naturally aspirated four cylinder engine, with 118 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 114 lb-ft of torque at 4,250 rpm. The addition of the new twin-scroll turbocharger in the Cooper S Clubman bumps those figures to 172 horsepower at 5500 rpm, and 117 lb-ft from 1600 - 5000 rpm. Both engines gain from BMW's variable valve control technology, but both require premium fuel.
The turbo engine is a joy to run up to the 6500 rpm redline with the six speed manual transmission, though a six speed automatic with steering wheel mounted paddle shifters is optional. The two door Cooper S runs to 100 km/h in just over seven seconds with a manual transmission; the extra 65 kg of the Cooper S Clubman slows this time by half a second.
Even with more mass and a slightly longer rear overhang, the original Mini's renowned go-kart handling remains with the Clubman. Though power is still routed through the front wheels, the standard suspension tuning offers abundant control. Up front are MacPherson spring struts, while central-arm rear axles are out back. Also utilized are effective anti-roll bars, aluminum longitudinal arms, and direct electric power steering.
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To ease entry into the more spacious back seat is a handle-less third door on the passenger side called the "Clubdoor". In a suicide style, the door remains on this (right-hand) side even when the car is ordered in right-hand-drive format in other countries, forcing rear passengers out into traffic. Though still a four seater in Canada, some markets will have a three passenger rear bench seat offered.
Walk around the back of this British vehicle and you will see 50/50 split French doors. There is a faux (inter-C) pillar positioned between these doors that takes a bite out of the rear visibility. Fortunately, each rear doors' window gets a wiper. Atop the doors span a thoughtful row of L.E.D. third brake lights determined to effectively relay their message.
In Canada, the Clubman will be offered with the same powertrain options as found on the two-door Cooper and Cooper S. The economical choice remains the 1.6 litre naturally aspirated four cylinder engine, with 118 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 114 lb-ft of torque at 4,250 rpm. The addition of the new twin-scroll turbocharger in the Cooper S Clubman bumps those figures to 172 horsepower at 5500 rpm, and 117 lb-ft from 1600 - 5000 rpm. Both engines gain from BMW's variable valve control technology, but both require premium fuel.
The turbo engine is a joy to run up to the 6500 rpm redline with the six speed manual transmission, though a six speed automatic with steering wheel mounted paddle shifters is optional. The two door Cooper S runs to 100 km/h in just over seven seconds with a manual transmission; the extra 65 kg of the Cooper S Clubman slows this time by half a second.
Even with more mass and a slightly longer rear overhang, the original Mini's renowned go-kart handling remains with the Clubman. Though power is still routed through the front wheels, the standard suspension tuning offers abundant control. Up front are MacPherson spring struts, while central-arm rear axles are out back. Also utilized are effective anti-roll bars, aluminum longitudinal arms, and direct electric power steering.
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