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Launched: MINI Cooper Clubman

Wheels Magazine
May, 2008

According to the MINI marketing machine, most New MINI owners are fashionable, successful city-dwellers who are married or in a relationship, have kids, and list favourite pastimes like cycling, skiing and snowboarding. Not surprising, then, that many of these trendy urbanites have discovered the retro hatchback's main shortcoming - it struggles to carry more than two full-sized humans and the trappings of an active, modern existence.

The solution to this lifestyle dilemma comes in the wagon-shaped form of the MINI Cooper Clubman. Thanks to an overall stretch of 238mm, including 80mm of extra wheelbase, MINI claims 77.5mm more rear legroom. Yes, the Clubman's a useable four-seater, given some compromise from taller front occupants. An optional centre rear seat is offered, but only for kids up to 49kg.

A small 'clubdoor' on the driver's side eases rear compartment access, but in Oz it opens on the traffic side of a parallel parked Clubman, rather than the kerbside. No such problem if parked in a driveway or car park, however.

Luggage space grows to 260 litres with rear seats upright or 930 litres with rear seats folded flat, compared with 160/680 for hatch. Loading and unloading is through rear split doors that open 90 degrees on gas struts.

Dynamic qualities seem equally as good as the hatch’s and ride perhaps slightly better, the extra wheelbase helping the Clubman take all but the worst road protuberances in its stride.

Priced at $3300–3500 more than the respective hatch, with equipment levels to match (plus rear parking sensors, bigger alloys and standard ESP) the Clubman's the not-so-MINI with greater rear legroom, luggage space and, it seems likely, appeal.

More research
MINI Cooper Clubman and Cooper S Clubman -- launch review: here

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