Powering the big little guy is a 1.6 liter direct-injection turbocharged engine that is connected to a 6-speed manual Getrag transmission. Clearly the Mini powertrain has been massaged by parent company BMW. The combo provides enough power to spin the front wheels if you stomp on the gas. However, the standard BMW-spec Dynamic Stability Control steps in and makes sure you will not spin the tires or the car itself. My S model with the higher-horsepower motor also came with a limited-slip differential (a $500 option). This helps plant the power to the ground. If you ever think you might use the Mini at an autocross, it is a worthwhile investment. But if you are not a racer you can skip over that option box and save the money (it definitely isn’t necessary in the base model). Even still, driving the Mini is a hoot. You’ll find yourself taking exit ramps a little faster than usual because it just sticks itself to the road so well. There is something to say about big handling in small packages! If there is a difference between the ‘little’ Mini and the Clubman, it is difficult to tell for all but the most discerning drivers.
Now on to the tech! The Clubman is not the pinnacle of automotive technology, but it does have some cool features. The bulk of the money is in the BMW-designed turbo powerplant that really hauls ass while it saves gas. Nevertheless, the interior is a pleasant place to be. The optional hand-sewn leather seats are comfortable for the long haul, even for bigger people and heated seats allow for toasty butts. The toggle switches are a throwback to the past of British motoring, but they engage with a nice tactual feel. One of the toggle switches can even change the color of the ambient lighting in the interior – from warm orange to sporty blue (and three more shades in between). You probably will not use it often, but it is a cool parlor trick when guests come into the car. The most prevalent thing in the interior is that gonzo speedometer/vehicle display that looks like the head of a grandfather clock! My example did not have the optional navigation system, but the nav would also use some of the real estate in the speedometer and you would still have no trouble determining your speed. Neither will your passengers in the back. Or in the car behind you! If you do get the navigation system, Mini includes a subscription to the Clear Channel Real Time Traffic information network. It is controlled by a joystick on the center console. iPod users can get an adaptor from the dealer to use their device in the Mini and it will communicate with the radio. The optional Mini HiFi system unfortunately isn’t. It is just adequate, with a midbass and midrange speaker in the door and a tweeter in the A-Pillar. It is nothing that a good aftermarket amplifier could not fix though (it is just lacking in power). If it were my Clubman, a quick stop at a good specialty mobile electronics store would solve everything. All you have to do is take a gander when you open the ‘barn-doors’ in the rear with the integrated rear wipers. There is a carnivorous area underneath the floor in the rear that would be perfect for an amplifier and a subwoofer, while taking up little precious cargo area. This is the advantage of the optional run-flat tires – more space for more bass! The Mini’s key/keyfob is a small disc that gets put into a receptacle on the dashboard. You then press an adjacent button to start the car. It would be cool to have a keyless start feature for future versions of the car so the key does not have to leave your pocket.
Just like the digital media players mentioned in the beginning of this review, the Mini Clubman is just as much as a fashion accessory and lifestyle statement as it is a good car. Although there are PMPs on the market with more robust capacity and technical features over the iPod, some folks will only settle on those white earbuds and ubiquitous clickwheel. In the same light, some folks are looking for a car that is as much a statement and can make them smile while getting great gas mileage. Even though there are some other choices in this price range that offer more feature-for-feature (for example, my hot-rodded tester stickered at $29,700 while a base Acura TSX lists for $28,960; add a little money and you can have a loaded navigation and telematics-equipped Acura), the Mini will touch some people in their hearts. Taking it back to its British roots, the adjective that best describes the Clubman is ‘Cheeky’. I would stick to the base model for even better fuel economy (37/28 vs. 34/26 highway/city). Prices start at $20,600 for the base model and the dealer can show you all of those fun Mini options ranging from custom interior chrome to a Union Jack applied to the roof. Hmmm, add a high-end multimedia system from the aftermarket to the base model for about $2000 and you could have an ultimate economical, practical, and FUN ride. Now THAT’S smart! yy
"The Mini?s key/keyfob is a small disc that gets put into a receptacle on the dashboard. You then press an adjacent button to start the car. It would be cool to have a keyless start feature for future versions of the car so the key does not have to leave your pocket."
The Clubman does have the keyless feature as an option. It is part of the Convenience Package. I thought people would like to know.