2008 Mini Cooper Clubman Test Drive: more space, even zoom

From behind the bold rimmed steering wheel and windshield in a vertical position of the Mini Clubman, there is no suggestion that the Mini is anything but, in addition, a mini convention. In fact, from the scoreboard before the Clubman is the same as all other Minis. And all of how the car sounds, looks and the horse is exactly what you expect from this success reincarnation of the British classic.

But this Clubman version of the Mini is approximately 9.6 inches longer overall than the original, with a wheelbase that is an additional 3.2 inches And when you first glance in the mirror, you are surprised an explosion and a vertical rear window Commune where the two rear doors meet.

Our test drive reminds me of a really Escort van I once pushed around London. Except that the sound inside the Mini is pleasant and well-cushioned not like my old can rattle van. But the double doors are there for the same reason: the expansion of the utility vehicle.

As essentially a cut for large, the Mini is normal to the car cool. But rear-seat access is quite burdensome for those of us who top 6 feet by a good margin. Now, with an opening to the back-side access door on the right side of the vehicle (Mini calls a Clubdoor), which is no longer a big challenge. With the Clubdoor cut, there is a double feature shutline onto the right side of the Mini. But other than that, there is no real evidence of another access point. Mini was quite slick on the design, without outside handles or other attributes. In association with the seat in front easily released, Clubdoor makes access to the rear seat easier. There is more room back there, too, with about 1 inch more shoulder room, 2.4 inches high value, and a smidgen more for your noggin.

For such a practical car design, the Mini took some time to have a Clubman out of the depth of its production processes, which are split between three factories in Oxford, Swindon and Hams Hall in England. Considering that a wagon version of the original Mini had emerged as Mini Traveller and Countryman models as far back as 1961, the company seems to have been very cautious about this new car.

Indeed, Clubman concepts were explored at the time of the first generation new Mini, when designers juggled possible permutations including a liftback and a horizontally split tail with a clamshell tailgate window and treatment. Ultimately, the board supports dual-gate design you see here. Not only because it is the beginning of Mini cars used, they say, but because he had a distinctive look. The Mini needs to be nonconformist, whenever he can.

Because of a cleverly articulated hinge design, rear doors, and rotate away from the car at the opening, offering unrestricted access to the loading area. They must be opened in order, the right side door of the first, but it quickly becomes accustomed to it. Gaz provide adequate assistance that the effort of openness is fairly light, and the doors still ajar. If necessary, the rear seatbacks fold down to provide extra cargo volume, and there is a sub-floor storage for small objects.

Other than the additional gates and the length, Clubman is familiar. Both Cooper and Cooper S designations are available with six-speed manual or automatic. Of the Cooper S models, a six-speed automatic comes with steering wheel-mounted shift levers. Along the lines normally aspirated Cooper, a ZF continuously variable transmission (CVT) is offered as an option for the manual.

The Cooper is powered by a 1.6-litre line that produces four 118 hp and 114 lb.-ft. of torque, and accelerates from rest to 60 mph in 8.9 seconds. His figure of the average fuel consumption is 37 mpg. The Cooper S uses the 1.6-liter turbo four, and produces 172 horsepower and 177 lb.-ft. of torque, hitting 60 mph in 7.0 seconds, with 34 mpg in normal use.

All versions have Mini electric steering assistance, spring-strut front suspension and control multi-arm rear suspension. Despite the length and additional weight (about 166 pounds and 232 pounds on models Coopers S), the handle and cars drive about how normal hardtops do. Mini create an autocross on our first disc, and we tested Clubman Hardtop original models and back-to-back.

The Clubman seemed more yaw damping, which has a little bit slow to turn in. At the same time, the largest Mini was given a little more stability. Anyway, there's not enough difference between the two body styles skew your choice away from the Clubman if you need additional utility. In general, the Coopers roll slightly better than the S-blown models, and they are less prone to small and slight torque steer directional variations on rough surfaces from which the torquier, wholesale tire models sometimes suffer.

But the high-performance Minis have a lot of power and are really fast in the wild, where their bigger tires sharp turn and take the longest. If the bodies of additional openings in the Clubman have affected the structural rigidity of the Mini, it is not immediately obvious on the road to the car and drove solidly throughout. Our only complaint is the quirky placement and labeling of certain secondary checks. But since switching is identical to the rest of the hot-selling mini-series, it is hardly an impediment to sales. After all, the company sold 42000 Minis in the United States in 2007.

A base Mini Cooper Clubman is at the price of $ 20600, while the Cooper S Clubman stickers at $ 24100. As usual with Mini, customization potential is enormous. There are enough options free-standing that the chances of seeing yourself coming in the other direction is virtually impossible. Besides, now that we are in a new variation in the mixture, your individuality is as safe as a house. -- Barry Winfield