Mini Launches Clubman

Turbo power, unique looks, door on the wrong side....

By Garlick / Tuesday, 25 September 2007 / Loading comments

Back in the early 60s Austin launched the Mk 1 Mini Countryman, it came with an 848cc engine and was available for £623 for the 'woody' and £532 for the all metal version. It, quite rightly, became an icon.

Fast forward almost 50 years and BMW have thrown me the keys to their 2007 interpretation of the Traveller, only this time it's called the MINI Clubman, it doesn't have any external wood trim and it's not that mini anymore measuring in at 24cm longer than the current hatch.

We first saw this car at the 2005 Frankfurt Motor Show and as you can see from the pictures it has changed a little bit, it's nowhere near as funky looking as the concept

So why did I bother to drive the car? Well it's a MINI and that means it should handle. It also means it has the 175bhp 1.6 petrol engine with the twin- scroll turbocharger in Cooper S trim. In the Clubman that means 139mph and a 0.60 time of 7.6 seconds. The best news is that this car can hustle along just like the hatch, in fact I spent a few hours blatting across deserted highland roads with a big grin on my face, it's only when you get out that you remember you are driving an estate car- it's that good.

You can also chose the Cooper with the 120bhp 1.6 petrol or the 110bhp Cooper D. After driving them all the Cooper S gets my vote and I imagine that of most PHers when it goes on sale in November.

The Cooper S comes with a Sport button beside the gearstick- this sharpens the steering and also gives a faster throttle response too. Unusually in a car of this class you can actually notice the difference meaning its worth the £90 needed to get it as an option on the other models.

The rear door is a bit special too being suicide style. This allows easier rear access and is similar in style to that on the RX-8. MINI calls this the 'Club Door' and it only features on one side of the car. It works pretty well, looks good and adds some visual drama to the car, however on UK models the door opens on the offside- meaning your nippers need to jump out into the road. Will this affect sales? Only time will tell but as you can still gain access to the rear from the nearside door, so not as much of an issue as some magazines would suggest.

I don't need a car like this, but I like the fact that if I did I can have something that enjoys being thrown around like a lunatic, I just wish the design was a bit braver and more true to the concept. What do you think?