2016 Mini Cooper S Clubman gets big, bruh
BMW’s Mini division has always delivered on the promise of cute and cuddly, but for 2016 it has added cozy and comfortable as well, thanks to stretching its top-of-theline Clubman model from a subcompact into a compact.
It is nearly a foot longer, 2.9 inches wider, and the wheelbase is extended by 4 inches, giving it not only a more secure stance on the road to enhance both ride and handling, but also more generous room inside the cabin to stretch limbs.
The fact you can now wiggle or jiggle any extremity _ feet, legs, arms, and even melon without making contact with a door panel, seat back, roof liner, or any other human sharing space with you in the cabin proves a welcome change.
Clubman comes in base Cooper, Cooper S, and Cooper S All4 versions. The All4 features AWD, the others are front drive. Clubman, as in the past, has twin rear cargo doors that swing out, but now comes with four traditional side doors. The previous version had two front doors, but only one abbreviated side door to serve row two.
The base Cooper starts at $24,100 with a 1.5-liter, 134 horsepower twin-turbo three-cylinder teamed with either six-speed manual or six-speed automatic. The Cooper S starts at $27,650 with a 2-liter, 189 horsepower twin-turbo four-cylinder engine teamed with either sixspeed manual or a new eight-speed automatic. The Cooper S All4 AWD unit starts at $29,450 and also comes with the 2-liter with either the sixspeed manual or eight-speed automatic, and is tuned to deliver more low-end torque for quicker off the line moves.
We tested the Cooper S Clubman with the 2-liter twin-turbo four-cylinder engine and six-speed manual transmission. Lively for sure and the twin turbos assist the launch assist, just don’t expect flames to shoot out the exhaust at takeoff and no need to attach a chute to the tail to help bring it to a stop since the car tips the scales at a hefty 3,300 pounds _ minus people and their possessions.
A couple of gripes with the manual, one being that it would be appreciated if clutch and brake pedals were better aligned with driver feet and legs, and not at a slight angle to the side. If blessed (saddled?) with 3E sneakers, you’ll find clutch and brake rather close together.
The Cooper S Clubman has good road manners and darts into and out of corners with confidence. It features stability control and cornering braking control, and the 17inch wheels provide road-holding assurance.
For the snow belt, the All4 AWD version would be a wise investment at about $1,800 more than FWD. Sun Belt owners can settle for FWD.
Cabin room is generous and seats five. Cargo hold storage handles a few pieces of luggage or duffel bags filled with gear. Second row seat backs fold flat to hold more luggage, gear, groceries, even lumber if needed. A pull shade behind the rear seat backs conceals any items in the cargo hold. If more carrying capacity is needed, press the button, remove shade, and tall packages, even bikes, will now fit in back.
There’s also stowage space built into both front and side doors, clever bins are carved into the swingout rear doors, and the rear cargo floor lifts up to reveal a large bin underneath.
The swing-out doors open manually by pulling the handles or automatically (right side) by pressing the key fob. The optional comfort access package lets you kick a foot under the rear bumper to power the right rear door open, magic like Ford employs on selected SUVs.
All instrumentation is easy to see and use and a twist command dial in the center console calls up all the systems you need to use, from radio settings to phone activation to summoning roadside assistance if needed.
The new Mini Clubman comes with an array of standard equipment, including infotainment system with 6.5-inch high-resolution display, Bluetooth audio streaming and voice control; sports seats with thigh support; choice of sport or eco mode shift points and engine power for performance or high mileage motoring; dual zone climate control; rain sensing wipers; halogen fog lights; and black leatherette seat covers, to name just some.
Options include dual pane power sunroof, navigation system and rearview camera, none of which were on the test car, which did add run-flat radials at $500, comfort access/keyless entry at $500, heated front seats at $500, rear end park distance control sensing at $500, gray metallic paint at $500 and LED headlights at $1,000.
The largest Mini comes nicely equipped, with good mileage and performance, but the eight-speed automatic has an edge in quickness and economy. ___ 2016 Mini Cooper S Clubman Vehicle type: Compact Base price: $27,650 As tested: $31,150 (excluding $850 destination) Mpg: 24 city, 34 highway Engine: 2-liter, twin-turbo fourcylinder Transmission: Six-speed manual Parting shot: Bigger dimensions nicely fill out largest Mini.