All-new Cooper Clubman: Mini’s maxi

THE MINI Clubman combines driving fun and responsiveness of the Mini hatchback in a bigger body.

THE MINI has been growing steadily under BMW’s watch, and we don’t mean just the sales volume. The cars themselves, while remaining compact by today’s standards, are positively gigantic compared to the original. And Mini isn’t finished with the growth balls just yet. Debuting on March 10 is the all-new Mini Clubman.

What is it?

The Clubman is the biggest Mini yet. It clocks in at 4253 mm x 1800 mm, a whopping 271 mm longer and 73 mm wider than the already-stretched Mini 5 Door.

The Mini Clubman aims to combine the driving fun and responsiveness of the Mini hatchback with the bigger interior and enhanced practicality that comes with a bigger body.

Styling

The Clubman is officially designated a “shooting brake,” the proper British-accented term for station wagon.

Making it stand out from other wagon types is of course the distinctive frog-like Mini face up front. The angular greenhouse with differently colored roof gets suitably stretched for this version.

One immediately notices the four side doors, which still takes some getting used to in a Mini.

New to the Mini are air curtains and an air breather. These are vertical openings in the bumper that direct air around the wheel arches, and exiting through the air breather in the rear of the arch. These reportedly reduce air turbulence and noise, and improve fuel efficiency.

Mini Clubman still carries the distinctive split rear door. When equipped with Comfort Access, the rear door can open via a wave of the foot under the bumper. The integrated taillights swing open together with the doors.

Interior

The increased dimensions of the Mini Clubman allow for a bigger space, more appropriate for five passengers than before, with the easier access afforded by four side doors. With all seats up, there’s 360 liters of trunk space, and with the rear seat folded, there’s 1250 liters. The rear seat folds in a 40:20:40 split for better flexibility.

The wide instrument panel still features the large central circular display, up to 8.8 inches big, with distinctive LED light ring, with matching lighting in the door panels.

The switches are still the toggle type. There’s an available head-up display, too.

Engine and transmission

Mini Cooper S Clubman packs a 2.0-L four-cylinder. Thanks to turbocharging, it produces 192 HP and 280 Nm, with overboost producing 300 Nm. The zero to 100 kph sprint takes 7.1 seconds, up to 228 kph top speed.

The Mini Cooper Clubman is powered by a 1.5-L three-cylinder. Also turbocharged, it produces 136 HP and 220 Nm, with 230 Nm available on overboost. Zero to 100 kph takes 9.1 seconds, and it has a top speed of 205 kph.

The Cooper Clubman comes with a six-speed automatic, while the Cooper S Clubman comes with an eight-speed automatic with sport mode and shift paddles.

Safety

Mini Clubman has available camera-based cruise control and distance control function. It also has collision mitigation and pedestrian warning system.