Mini's big brother

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Fun, fuel-sipping Clubman fits loads of style into a small wagon

BY MARK PHELAN • FREE PRESS COLUMNIST • May 1, 2008

Nothing will ever make a seductive pair of spike-heeled shoes comfortable, but exhaustive research with the stylish women wearing them reveals that some of the shoes are less uncomfortable than others.

"It's not about comfort," one elegant lass explained in a guys-are-so-slow tone. "It's about how you look and feel."

That's the genius of the 2008 Mini Cooper Clubman wagon, a fast-moving fashion statement that adds a soupcon of practicality to Mini's haute couture looks.

Prices for the 2008 Mini Cooper Clubman start at $19,950 for a base model with a 118-horsepower 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine and six-speed manual transmission. The more powerful Mini Cooper S Clubman model gets a 172-horsepower turbocharged version of the same engine and starts at $23,450. A six-speed ZF automatic transmission adds $1,250 to either model.

I tested a nicely equipped base Clubman with the manual transmission that stickered at $24,800. All prices exclude destination charges.

That Clubman competes with other stylish little cars like the Chevrolet HHR, Chrysler PT Cruiser and Scion xB. While those models all have lower base prices and more useable interior room, the Clubman's responsive handling, excellent fuel economy and overall charm lift it to the front of the pack, despite some minor ergonomic glitches.

The Clubman is larger than the Mini Cooper coupe, but the three-door wagon remains a very small and efficient car. At 155 inches long, it's 9.4 inches longer than a conventional Mini coupe, but the wagon is still more than a foot shorter than a Scion xB wagon, nearly 14 inches shorter than a PT Cruiser and a full 21.2 inches shorter than the HHR.

Those compact dimensions mean the Clubman's interior remains snug, but it's far more useful than the dinky coupe, thanks to a rear-hinged club door on the passenger side that provides access to a two-person back seat that's barely serviceable, but much better than the coupe offers.

The front seat provides excellent head, shoulder and legroom. Space is at such a premium in the little car, however, that there's no room to reach the seat adjustment controls with the door closed, and the shoulder belt consistently snagged on the seatback when I reached to latch the belt.

The attractive interior is wrapped in well-fitted materials and features large, legible gauges and controls that are all within easy reach.

The front seat could use more storage space, however. A storage bin in the center console would be particularly welcome. The cupholders in front of the shifter are a bit of a reach for the driver, however, and rubber flanges intended to hold cups in place were so snug that they deformed paper coffee cups.

A large two-panel sunroof extends over the front and rear seats. The front panel of the roof opens, but the rear is fixed. The control for the roof was a bit problematic, however. It's one of five attractive but identical chrome toggles mounted in the headliner. The switches control the sunroof, two maplights, dome light and cycle the interior mood-lighting color from blue through mauve to orange.

The Clubman has far more cargo space than the Mini coupe, 9.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 32.8 cubic feet with the seats folded flat, compared with the coupe's purse-sized 5.7 cubic feet. Two small doors provide access to the cargo area. All the extra practicality would mean nothing if the Clubman sacrificed the Mini Cooper's delightful looks and wonderful performance, however.

Have no fear. The clever exterior design is almost indistinguishable from the coupe, and the longer roofline and split cargo doors may even make the prettily curved Mini better looking than the smaller coupe.

In addition to its charming looks, the Clubman retains the razor-sharp handling that's made the Mini Cooper a favorite with sporty drivers.

The Clubman's sharp steering and nimble cornering are an invitation to play, while the suspension is comfortable on bumpy surfaces and holds the car stable in quick maneuvers.

You have to be willing to rev the little 118-horsepower engine to motivate the Clubman for that kind of driving, but the free-revving powerplant and sporty short-throw manual transmission are willing to play if you are.

The Clubman makes a compelling argument on less emotional criteria, too. Standard safety equipment includes six air bags, antilock brakes and electronic stability control.

The little wagon racked up outstanding EPA fuel economy ratings of 28 m.p.g. in the city and 37 m.p.g. on the highway. That easily exceeds the fuel economy of the HHR, PT Cruiser and xB.

Those cars all burn regular gasoline while the Clubman requires premium gasoline, but its fuel economy so far exceeds those competitors that it will save an owner hundreds of dollars a year, according to the EPA's calculations.

It's a fashion statement with a practical side, and the new Clubman wagon is a delightful addition to the Mini Cooper model line.

2008 Mini Cooper Clubman

Front-wheel drive four-seat compact wagon

Rating: FOUR STARS (out of four stars)

Reasons to buy: Looks; handling; practicality; fuel economy

Shortcomings: Interior storage; premium fuel required; minor interior usability glitches

**** Best in its class

** Competent

Base price: $19,950 excluding destination charges

Standard equipment: Antilock brakes; electronic stability control; corner brake control; tire pressure monitor; front-seat side air bags; curtain air bags; electric power steering; compact spare tire; gas struts on split rear doors; air conditioning with microfilter; remote keyless entry; one-touch power windows; six-speaker AM/FM/CD stereo with auxiliary input; power locks; 50/50 split fold flat rear seat; underfloor cargo storage; leather trimmed tilt and telescoping steering wheel.

Options: Dual-pane panoramic roof; automatic air conditioning; mini HiFi sound system; 16-inch five-spoke alloy wheels; sport suspension; sport seats; fog lights; multifunction steering wheel; chrome exterior and interior trim; dark gray interior with piano-black black trim; xenon headlights; white turn signal lights.

Engine: 1.6-liter DOHC 16-valve four-cylinder

Transmission: Six-speed manual

Wheelbase: 100.3 inches

Width: 66.3 inches

Curb weight: 2,723 pounds

COMPARTIVE BASE PRICES
Manual-transmission models, not including destination charges

Chevrolet HHR LT: $17,550

Scion xB: $15,750

Source:  FreePress.com  

Article Date: May 02, 2008
Car Accociations: NEW_MINI
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