By Miles Downard
What’s this?
It’s a practical Mini. An oxymoron I know, but if you consider it’s based on the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer then it’ll become more apparent as to where Mini is aiming the new Clubman. Accordingly the Clubman has grown by 270mm in length and is 30mm wider resulting in more space and a more utilitarian family car than the previous model. Retained are the cupboard-style rear doors, gone is the suicide passenger door.
On the outside
Well you definitely can’t mistake it for anything other than a Mini. Personally I’m not the biggest fan as you’ll find out in our video below. The rear lights resemble something out of an under-funded horror movie, for example. I also find the body is oddly bubble-like from most angles. That said I came across plenty folk who rather liked it, so I’ll brand it a ‘Marmite’ car and leave you to decide which side of the fence you fall.
Being the Cooper S Clubman there are various styling cues that point toward its ‘sportiness’. The little rear wing and butch bumpers do enough to show off without being completely over the top.
On the inside
I’m afraid the ‘Marmite’ term is going to come out once again here, but I just can’t help it. The interior is a blur of toggles and buttons and lights and curvy bits and straight bits that to my eye just don’t quite make sense next to one another. Again plenty of my passengers rather liked it all. I’m spotting a trend here. None the less it’s not for me.
Read also: Mini Cooper S – Legend or ludicrous?
Being the S there were of course numerous trinkets splashed about the cabin showing off the fact. Optional JCW (John Cooper Works) bits were also on display, namely the steering wheel and door sills, both of which cost an absurd amount of additional money and add very little to the overall experience.
Despite being the ‘practical’ Mini, with a mere 360 litres boot capacity there’s only as much space as in a BMW 1 Series (which is considered cramped), but the rear seats offer more legroom than you might expect.
Behind the wheel
Despite its 2 Series Active Tourer underpinnings, all the usual Mini elements are here. Low-slung driving position, weighty steering and so on, however the 125kg weight gain and longer wheelbase means it’s less playful than a standard Mini. The new 2.0 litre turbocharged BMW-sourced powerplant, mated with a 7 speed auto, also doesn’t quite do the ‘S’ badge justice. It might look quick on paper, but doesn’t feel it in the real world.
Pricing
The standard Cooper S Clubman hits price lists at a not inconsiderable sum of R460,000. The one I had on test was some R200,000 more than that thanks to the ever-present options list. More on that in the video, but safe to say that’s a bit ludicrous.
Video
Verdict
I think it’s clear that I’m not the biggest Clubman fan. I do however think the car has its place in non-S format. I can see the appeal of standing out in the crowd, something the Clubman does very well. Just opening the rear doors in the parking lot of your local PnP will draw attention. Yes it might not be particularly practical, but if you’re one of those who like the whacky styling and OTT interior then the price of a normal Clubman might seem well worth it.
| Price: | R457,500 |
| Engine: | 2.0 litre turbocharged petrol |
| Power (kW): | 141 |
| Torque (Nm): | 280 |
| Acceleration (0-100km/h): | 7.2 |
| Consumption (l/100km): | 5.9 – claimed |
