MINI Clubman
SECOND REPORT Our man keeps popping to the shops just so he can drive thrilling estate
WITH the introduction of the five pence carrier bag charge across England, I’ve had to resort to carrying a couple of bags for life in our MINI Clubman to stop me from going bankrupt. I haven’t turned into a shopaholic, and I’m certainly not stockpiling food for some impending apocalypse. No, the reason is that I just can’t seem to find enough excuses to get behind the wheel of our supermini estate.
MINIS have always managed to deliver entertaining handling, and our Cooper D Clubman is no different. The 148bhp 2.0-litre diesel engine has plenty of power, while the sharp chassis means every journey is entertaining. As a result, my kitchen now looks as if I am preparing for some sort of doomsday scenario, and I’m now the first person to raise a hand if anyone is in need of a lift.
Even better, the estate-style body means that if something happens to need transporting, regardless of size, weight or distance, the Clubman can cope. Just don’t expect fragile items to survive intact, as the car positively encourages you to attack corners on every journey. It doesn’t matter if I’m hitting the open road or dealing with a congested five-minute trip to the shops, the MINI’S fun factor always puts a smile on my face.
In my first report, I was a bit negative about the Clubman’s looks, and while I still don’t think it’s the most elegantly styled model in the Auto Express car park, the rear three-quarter angle is probably its best feature. The tail-lights look smart and the barn doors are a unique feature that makes it instantly recognisable.
Where the Clubman does hold visual appeal is from behind the wheel. As standard, it’s pretty ordinary, but the cabin features plenty of high-grade materials, and the metal toggle switches on the centre console are appealing.
Like most MINIS, our car has benefited from the vast number of personalisation options available. Its blue leather is a subtle touch, while the diamond-quilted stitching gives it an almost Bentley-like upmarket feel.
The changeable LED mood lighting really helps to create a nice atmosphere, too, especially when driving in low light. The colours range across the spectrum, but I especially like the cool blue and purple shades, as they deliver a calming cabin ambience. Another neat touch is the tartan-style finish to the door bins and cup-holders, which again give the interior an upmarket feel that goes some way to justifying the MINI’S price tag.
So it’s a great place to spend time, which is a bonus, but for me the MINI’S appeal always comes back to how it drives. Our car’s Driving Modes switch flashes up a go-kart when you select Sport mode, and the balanced chassis and low-slung driving position mean the Clubman really does feel like one when you drive it.
The six-speed gearbox has a precise shift to make the most of the engine, and only the diesel drone takes away from its powerful responses. The sharp steering delivers plenty of feedback, too, and our only real niggle with the way the Clubman drives is rearward visibility, as those barn doors do restrict your vision out the back.
Now, where did I put those bags for life? I feel another shop coming on...