|
Talk about the cars you like in ONE.MOTORING Forum's Road Tests.
Forum |
 |
I've always loved MINIs - particularly the Cooper S. Simply because it's stylish, has enough grunts and just the sort of car that puts a smile on your face every single time you see it on the road. At the same time there's one thing I really loathe about MINIs - their ridiculous prices.
But come to think of it, the price does lead to one thing - exclusivity. And exclusivity, as everyone knows, never come cheap. The MINI has everything it takes to be an exclusive little car, and this new MINI Clubman Cooper S is upping the ante.
But come to think of it, the price does lead to one thing - exclusivity. And exclusivity, as everyone knows, never come cheap. The MINI has everything it takes to be an exclusive little car, and this new MINI Clubman Cooper S is upping the ante.
Exterior
Based on the Cooper S' platform, the Clubman S has been stretched by 244mm, making it 3,958mm long in total. Whereas the wheelbase is now 2,547mm, after being lengthened by some 80mm. Elongating the Cooper S' platform is one vital point while developing the car as MINI wants the Clubman S to be both stylish and as practical as possible - it needs that additional space for a new boot and extra rear passenger legroom after all.
 |
Five doors sound pretty much normal for any hatchbacks, but take a good look and you'll see how quirkily the doors were designed. Besides the essential front two doors for driver and front passenger, the rear has what MINI bestowed "Clubdoor", and it works identically as the Mazda RX-8's. The driver's door needs to be opened first before the passenger gets to open the rear door to enter or exit, BUT it can be found only at the right side of the car. Rather inconvenient if you were to ask me, but the consolation is you don't need the flexibility of a gymnast just to gain access to the rear seats.
Inside
Bits from the Cooper S were in fact carried over, and there's no single complain about it. Around the cabin, expensive plastics are abound and together with the premium leather, gives an upmarket feel in a BMW way. MINI's signature retro control switches remain too, and so does the centrally mounted "wall clock" speedometer.
 |
The rear bench, although designed for two, can surprisingly seat three. It isn't too heavily padded like the Golf GTI's, and happily, provides sufficient lumbar support. Passengers don't seat low either, and if you're someone below 1.7m tall, legroom is sufficient. Oh, the twin sunroof spruces things up too.
Boot space is nothing much to shout about, as it provides only 260-litres worth of space. But fret not - if additional space is really needed, simply fold the rear seats and you have 930-litres boot space to utilise at your peril.
Boot space is nothing much to shout about, as it provides only 260-litres worth of space. But fret not - if additional space is really needed, simply fold the rear seats and you have 930-litres boot space to utilise at your peril.
Driving it
The good news is that MINI maintains the same goodies and plonked it into the Clubman S. Horsepower remains at a potent 175bhp and mated to a 6-speed automatic, is good for a century sprint timing of 7.2 seconds. It breaks the magical 100bhp per litre barrier, and that coming from a turbocharged 1.6-litre power plant, should make you smile gleefully.
 |
Gear shifts are a smooth affair when left to run on its own. Switch to the manual selection mode, and you have the option of either shifting gears via the shifter or the steering-mounted paddles. If that doesn't tickle your fancy still, then select the "Sports" mode - gear is maximised all the way up the rev band, the timing between gear changes becomes faster and also the sensitivity of the accelerator's input in increased.
It turns in with determination and accuracy, and just refuses to roll. It has almost exactly the right amount of grip and is constantly prodding you to push it. Which isn't a problem - at sane speeds, a little throttle lift simply tightens its line. Go harder though, and it offers some understeer antics to show off its entertaining side. Besides that, its substances still reaches you through the meaty electro-hydraulic power steering.
It turns in with determination and accuracy, and just refuses to roll. It has almost exactly the right amount of grip and is constantly prodding you to push it. Which isn't a problem - at sane speeds, a little throttle lift simply tightens its line. Go harder though, and it offers some understeer antics to show off its entertaining side. Besides that, its substances still reaches you through the meaty electro-hydraulic power steering.
Verdict
I manage to ferry my parents comfortably, lug around some equipment and at the same time get attention everywhere I stop. It also made me want to take the longer route back, drive everywhere (although it's only for a short distance) and it showed me how much fun driving can be.
So, if you're a fan of something eye-catching and unique in a hatch-like body (like myself), paying a hefty sum of money for a car like this is really worth it. Its awesome driving characteristics and performance bit is enticing enough already, and the 1.6-litre engine cap ensures you don't have to fork out that much cash come road tax and insurance renewal time. True, it's overpriced as you're paying 3-Series money for something of Golf proportions, but the iconic stature of the car, its radical design and the exclusivity is something only it can provide.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION
Engine: 1,598cc, turbocharged
Power: 175bhp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 240Nm @ 5,000rpm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Length / Width / Height: 3,958 / 1,432 / 1,683 mm
Wheelbase: 2,547 mm
|
Oneshift.com is the new, hip authoritative website for the passionate car enthusiast who wants to have anything and everything to do with cars. Backed by a community of strong enthusiasts, including a professional panel of road test journalists, Oneshift has under its wing a supportive, growing car community that houses members of every age from different walks of life.