Most of my girlfriends are not really into cars like I am. They are great at reminding me that women and men buy cars for different reasons. This week, one of my friends asked me what car I was driving, and I replied “the MINI Cooper Clubman”. She had a strange look on her face, so I said “a MINI – just an extended one”; she still had a blank stare in her eyes. “The Italian Job?” I said: this, of course, she is familiar with.
Then, for the next few minutes, she raved about what a cute car it was and how much fun it looked like to drive. Admittedly, she said, she doesn’t know anything about its handling or horsepower but commented that any car that could dart through subway tunnels, careen down stairs and manoeuvre through traffic like it does in the movie would be worth owning.
And, of course, she commented again on how very cute this car is. She is not alone; the styling is one of the main reasons the MINI has been so popular since it became a must-have fashion accessory back in the ‘60s.
Fans of the movie who don’t know much else about this iconic car will easily recognize the front styling. Perfectly round headlights, identifiable chrome-plated front grille, available colour-contrasting roof and the MINI winged logo will not doubt have people taking a second look.
Based on just its ‘cuteness’ factor, my girlfriend wants to buy one. The small size is one of her main arguments for not owning one. Well, the Clubman version of the MINI is supposed to fulfill all the traits of the original AND have a bit more room. Enough room to accommodate four adult passengers—comfortably.
This is still a very small car; it is only 10 inches longer than the base model and just over 150 litres more spacious in the cargo area. I have the ultimate test: I booked this car several months ago and had no idea at the time that my boyfriend would be moving in with me; I was expected to help transport some of his things.
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| Perfectly round headlights, identifiable chrome-plated front grille, available colour-contrasting roof and the MINI winged logo will not doubt have people taking a second look. (Photo: Lacey Elliott/Auto123.com) |
Then, for the next few minutes, she raved about what a cute car it was and how much fun it looked like to drive. Admittedly, she said, she doesn’t know anything about its handling or horsepower but commented that any car that could dart through subway tunnels, careen down stairs and manoeuvre through traffic like it does in the movie would be worth owning.
And, of course, she commented again on how very cute this car is. She is not alone; the styling is one of the main reasons the MINI has been so popular since it became a must-have fashion accessory back in the ‘60s.
Fans of the movie who don’t know much else about this iconic car will easily recognize the front styling. Perfectly round headlights, identifiable chrome-plated front grille, available colour-contrasting roof and the MINI winged logo will not doubt have people taking a second look.
Based on just its ‘cuteness’ factor, my girlfriend wants to buy one. The small size is one of her main arguments for not owning one. Well, the Clubman version of the MINI is supposed to fulfill all the traits of the original AND have a bit more room. Enough room to accommodate four adult passengers—comfortably.
This is still a very small car; it is only 10 inches longer than the base model and just over 150 litres more spacious in the cargo area. I have the ultimate test: I booked this car several months ago and had no idea at the time that my boyfriend would be moving in with me; I was expected to help transport some of his things.
 |
| This is still a very small car; it is only 10 inches longer than the base model and just over 150 litres more spacious in the cargo area. (Photo: Lacey Elliott/Auto123.com) |