Expert Review: 2008 MINI Cooper S Clubman Preview

MINI says its new Clubman - rumored forever in the automotive press and shown innumerable times in spy shots everywhere, including here at TheCarConnection.com - will arrive in the U.S.early in 2008.

MINI's newly stretched model harks back to the extended Travellers, Countrymans and Estates sold under the Mini nameplate from 1960 to 1982. And like the Cooper hatchbacks and convertibles that have preceded it since BMW reignited the brand, the newest MINI will offer a wide range of custom trim to go with its new turbocharged and normally-aspirated engines.

Undoubtedly, the most important features of the new MINI are the added doors. The hatchback of the new machine is split with a pair of side-opening doors, while the right side of the vehicle gains a "Clubdoor" similar to those on the Mazda RX-8 or the Saturn Ion.

The side door opens up to a much larger interior space behind the front seats, while the rear doors make loading cargo easier into the expanded rear end. Rear passengers will notice vastly more interior legroom: the Clubman sports a 9.5-inch addition to its wheelbase, while legroom itself has grown about 3.2 inches. Rear cargo room us up to 32.6 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down; with the seats raised, the Clubman still carries 9.1 cubic feet of stuff.

The Clubman's engine and gearbox range mirrors that of the MINI Cooper S we tested last fall. The base powerplant is a normally aspirated, 1.6-liter four-cylinder with 120 horsepower and 118 pound-feet of torque. It's paired either to a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic gearbox. This version of the Clubman can accelerate to 60 mph in less than 9.6 seconds and can hit 125 mph with the manual gearbox.

Enthusiasts will linger over the turbocharged version of the same engine, found in the Cooper S Clubman, however. In U.S. trim it blows out 175 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque, which propels the longer Clubman to 60 mph in less than 7.6 seconds, and to a top speed of 139 mph. With an automatic, it still hits 60 mph in 7.8 seconds and reaches a top speed of 136 mph.

Both engines have direct fuel injection, but some of the features to be found on European Clubmans will not or may not make it to the Stateside versions. Euro models arrive in showrooms with automatic stop/start functionality built in, to save fuel, along with regenerative braking, which captures heat energy normally lost in braking and converts it to electrical power for accessories. Neither of these features is planned for launch in the U.S. at this moment. Euro MINI Cooper Clubmans also will be offered with a 1.4-liter turbodiesel that's not in the cards for U.S.cars, at least for now.

However, all MINIs coming to the U.S.will get a raft of standard safety gear including six airbags, anti-lock brakes, electronic brake force distribution, Cornering Brake Control (CBC), and Brake Assistant. Stability and traction control with hill-start assistance will also be standard. A limited-slip differential will be an option on the Cooper S Clubman, while 16-inch wheels will be the standard on the S models.

As with other MINIs, a huge variety in color and trim choices will be offered. U.S.-spec offerings haven't been announced, but European cars, for example, will sport a color panel around the rear doors that matches the roof color. MINI promises more than 40 different color combinations for the Cooper S Clubman, and we're sure the longer roof will enable it to show off some special treatments.

The Clubman goes on sale in Germany on November 10, with U.S.cars reaching showrooms in the first quarter of 2008.

 2008 MINI Cooper S Clubman

Base Price: $25,000 (est.)
Engine: Turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder, 175 hp/177 lb-ft (base Clubman: no turbo, 120 hp/118 lb-ft)
Drivetrain: Six-speed manual or automatic, front-wheel drive
Length x width x height: 155.8 x 66.3 x 56.4 in
Wheelbase: 100.8 in
Curb weight: 2800 lb (est.)
Fuel economy (EPA city/hwy): N/A
Standard safety equipment: Dual front, side, and curtain airbags; anti-lock brakes, traction and stability control
Major standard equipment: AM/FM/CD player; power door locks/windows/mirrors; variable intermittent wipers; air conditioning; Comfort Key system
Warranty: Four years/50,000 miles

 

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