Expected to rake in around 10,000 UK sales in its first year, the new Clubman is without doubt an important model when it comes to C segment success. In fact, MINI says the new Clubman is a ‘game changer’ for them, forming an integral part of the brand’s plans for the future.
It is pretty clear that the new Clubman adopts some of the Hatch’s DNA. In fact, glance at it at certain angles and you may be confused as to which model you were looking at. Its looks are now more classic than oddball, with plenty of little touches, like its rear lights now being situated horizontally instead of vertically, all making a difference. It does retain its iconic barn doors at the rear though, which have apparently been kept to preserve the model’s heritage and unique appeal in the hatchback market. This boot opening actually comes with a new remote controlled opening feature, activated either by key or by foot.
It is noticeably bigger than its hatchback counterpart, being 270mm longer, 73mm wider and its wheelbase is 100mm longer. You may not think it due to its high beltline which leads your eyes along the length of the car, but the Clubman is actually shorter than the Volkswagen Golf.
But let’s start where many of MINI’s target demographic will, the interior. Inside, the Clubman is as you would expect, although MINI insists that the dashboard layout for the new model has been completely redesigned. Features of the cabin include cool toggles aplenty, a large circular infotainment display, soft touch materials splashed about the place, a floating speedometer above the steering wheel and, in places, patriotic Union Flags.
As well as there being a long shopping list of options available, MINI also offers its ‘MINI Worlds’, which act like style themes for the car. Also worth mentioning, the previously available Pepper pack is now incorporated as standard on every model.
Our model was littered with optional goodies like Park Distance Control (like in a BMW), Anthracite roof lining (which has a spongy feel to it) and MINI Yours leather upholstery. This upholstery is Walk Nappa Leather and a little birdy at MINI told us that this is actually better quality leather than anything you would find in a BMW.
The only thing we disliked about the interior was the temperamental sat-nav – which may just be down to the fact that the cars we drove were pre-production models.
A quick note on practicality: rear leg room in the Clubman is astonishing. Adjust the driver’s seat for a six footer and you still have as much leg room as you would get in a saloon, let alone a hatchback – which for a MINI is amazing. The boot is decent as well, offering 360 litres and, if you so please, you can fold the middle rear passenger seat down for extra versatility.
Under the bonnet, there are four units to ponder from launch, one of which is a 2.0-litre 148bhp diesel (Cooper D Clubman) which is what we tested. Although our model was fitted with a six-speed manual gearbox – which is incredibly slick by the way – a new eight-speed automatic transmission is available as an option, which is new to the brand. We tested this new auto ‘box this in the Cooper S Clubman and it handles enthusiastic throttling well.
The diesel is the one of the more economical and, frankly, more sensible models in the Clubman range, but don’t let that fool you. The diesel still offers some pretty tasty performance figures, with a zero to 62mph sprint time of 8.6 seconds (8.5 with the auto ‘box). That isn’t miles off the nippiest Cooper S Clubman’s time of 7.1 seconds. The 2.0-litre diesel is also very responsive to throttle input and delivers plenty of pull with over 300Nm of torque at under 2,000rpm.
Frugality is where it really excels though. Thankfully, that impressive performance doesn’t hinder fuel economy and emissions as CO2 starts from 109g/km (115g/km in our model) and it claims to return a combined average of 68.9mpg.
Even though it is bigger on paper, the Clubman doesn’t feel that way on the road. Chuck it into some bends and the fact that it has the shortest overhangs in its class and its wheels sit right in the corners of the car’s frame can really be felt. The chassis is brilliant, allowing for total composure on twisty roads and a relatively comfortable ride on urban roads - large bumps can unsettle it a bit.
The steering has excellent weight to it, almost feeling hydraulically-assisted instead of electrically, due to its reassuring weight at low speeds. There is definitely a feeling that the Clubman will do exactly what you tell it to and that you always know where the front wheels are pointing.
As performance and economy goes, the Cooper D Clubman is a no brainer. But as with many other MINI derivatives, overindulging in equipment can cost you. Our model, for example, came to over £30,000, a fair bump up from the models’ list price of £22,265.
