Vehicle: 2008 Mini Cooper S Clubman with Comfort Pkg, Convenience Pkg, Sport Pkg, Chrome Line Pkg and Travel Pkg
Price as tested: CDN$35640
Performnace: The Clubman, as with its hatchback silibings, is powered by one of two engines. The base Cooper is powered by a 1.6 liter 16-valve DOHC 4-cylinder with 118hp and 114 lb/ft of torque, which we will be reviewed in the future episode with its new and improved Steptronic gearbox. Or the same engine but coupled with the turbocharger. With 177 lb/ft of torque and 172 ponies, its certainly no sloush especially its mated with the slick shifting 6-speed manual gearbox. As with all Mini’s stick shift, the throws are long but the gates are precise and well-defined. To add the enjoyment of this manual box is a light and progressive clutch, with a proper engagement point. With the optional sports pkg comes on our tester. The “Sport” button in front of the shifter really gives the S a healthy boost of performance. It increses torque from 177 to 192 lb/ft of torque. Both the throttle response and turbo rush have changed from quick to really fast. If you happen to opt for the Steptronic gearbox, this “Sport” button also improves shifting by 0.05 seconds. It isn’t a huge difference but at least it gives the regular slushbox with faster response when driver really needed it. It really transforms an already nice turbo engine into a wonderful one. It all does without the usual turbo lag. Every time a driver steps on the throttle, the turbo spools up quickly and responsively without any delays. However, it tends to run out of breath at high rpm even with the advanced variable valve timing technology built within this motor.
Handling: Remember last time when we first reviewed the redesigned Cooper S’s sports suspension, we complained about its stiff-legged ride quality. Although Clubman retains all the Mini’s fun-loving character as a sharp-handling hot hatch, it actually got all the harsh ride quality improved just by increase the wheelbase and slightly recalibrated the spring rates. All these have done wonders to what Mini has always been needed. A fun hot hatch that handles like its on rail while absorbing all the patholes and roughness with ease. The lack of suppleness with hatchback’s suspension has always been addressed. It got plenty of supple through the suspension and spring settings. It really does make the Clubman rides like a BMW instead of a harsh-riding unladen full-size pick-up. The electric power steering provides plenty of feedback, the level of precision and responsiveness are amazing. Push the “Sport” button, it would increase the weight of the steering for even better driving feel. The DSC-3, or what Mini stands for ESP, remains an instrusive type. Which means this system allows for oversteer fun before it steps in. The threshold is huge enough for any enthuisastic driver to enjoy a bit of slide. On the other hand, its safe enough when the vehicle rears its ugly head in an emergency situations. Push through the track. We have witnessed minimal body rolls and understeer. That’s a delightful surprise even with the extra length and weight of Clubman, it got as much composure as its hatchback silibings.
Brakes: With 4-wheel discs and standard ABS, Clubman’s braking prowess certainly worthy of the Mini badge. The stopping distance is short. After a couple of hard stops, the brakes are fade-free while ABS doesn’t step in unnecessarily.
Interior: As with all the Minis I have driven, the driving position is perfect. Everything else from the pedals to the instrumentation gauges to the seats are all in perfect driving position. However, its the second half of the vehicle that is the highlight of the Clubman.
You have to get into the backseat through the suicide door on the passenger side. While the back has more leg and headrooms than its hatchback silibings, one still feel a bit cramped compares to its peers. There is a huge drawback with its suicide door, that’s the seatbelt. Whenever I want to get into the backseat, the seatbelt for the front passenger always blocking the way. You have to pull the seatbelt back just to get in. Its a minor pet peeve. But its a pet peeve, nevertheless.
Instead of using the traditional hatch design of its rivals, Clubman remains true to its tradition by offering barn doors. That means there are 2 doors to access to the hatch. Once you get through the high liftover and narrow door sills, due to the opening of the doors have used much of the floor space. You got 32.8 cubin feet of cargo space with the 50/50 split fold-down rear seats. The amount of space is much improved over its hatchback silibings, once again, but still fell short of the competitions.
Unfortunately, the barn doors have spoken for two different kinds of criticisms. Because it opens seperately, the built-in rear defrosters are seperated from both rear windows. That left a huge black line right in the middle of the rear windshield. When you looked at the rear view mirror, you see a huge black line in the middle of the rear windshield. To add frost to snow, Clubman’s thick D-pillars aren’t helping matters. Both left and right are consistented of these huge pillars for blocking 45 degrees vision. Extra caution and parking sensors won’t amiss. Another pet peeve is the rear wipers don’t covered all the area. With the huge black line in the middle, both wipers only covered about 70% both back window.
Conclusion: The Clubman is the beginning of more versatile variants based on the successful Mini brand. While the hatchback and convertible are fun and lovable, many of Mini’s loyal customer base want more practicality instead of shifting to other brands. Here comes the Clubman! It got all the space that Mini has been crying for in day one.
OVERALL VERDICT FOR 2008 Mini Cooper S Clubman
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Performance: 4/5
Handling and ride/fun-to-drive: 5/5
Interior/ergonomics/user-friendliness: 4/5
Fit-and-finish/build quality: 4/5
Cargo/accessibility/layout: 3/5
Value-for-money: 3/5
Overall rating: 4/5