2016 Mini Cooper S Clubman Rendered, Detailed: It’s Coming to Haul Your Stuff

What It Is: To say the final Mini Clubman was a compelling oddball would be an understatement. It was half hatchback, half station wagon and nearly completely strange, with a 5-door layout that integrated rear barn doors and a rear-hinged suicide door on one side only. It was as well modest to ever be taken seriously as a load-lugger—despite Mini trying, and failing, to make a case—but it undoubtedly had an abundance of character.

This is our rendered take on what the new version to be launched later this year will look like. We know that it will be larger and much more sensible—indeed, it’s set to be the greatest Mini but in terms of all round dimensions. The big question is whether or not it will be able to match any of the idiosyncratic charm of its predecessor.

2013 Mini Cooper Clubman

The Clubman will, in essence, be a station-wagon version of the 4-door Cooper hatchback, with an extended cargo area. The rear-hinged “clubdoor” has gone, replaced by standard doors (and one particular on every single side!), but it will stick with twin side-hinged doors at the back, with the glass in every getting its own dinky tiny wiper blade. If it sticks to the published dimensions of the apparently production ready Clubman Concept that was shown at the 2014 Geneva auto show, it will be some 10 inches longer than the last Clubman and a half a foot up on the Countryman, which, till now, has been the greatest Mini.

Why It Matters: In the U.S. we fear that it won’t. Promoting station wagons is enough of a challenge here in the ideal of times, let alone a little one particular that carries the price premium that comes with a Mini badge. But in those components of the planet where tourers still reign—like Europe—this is a sensible move to broaden the appeal of the Mini hatchback. Luggage accommodation is unlikely to be overly generous, but it will nonetheless be the most spacious Mini to date for both men and women and stuff. Mini insiders have hinted that we can also count on to see an all-wheel-drive version later on, which will broaden its appeal still additional.

Platform: Like its F56 Mini brethren, the Clubman sits on BMW’s new front-drive UKL1 platform, which also underpins the not too long ago launched (and thankfully not-for-the-U.S.) BMW 2-Series Active Tourer. Mechanically it will share all main elements with the Mini hatchback (and the 2er), including the very same independent rear suspension. BMW has resisted the temptation to match a less costly (and far more space-effective) torsion beam at the back, which need to make certain the Clubman drives as crisply as its hatchback siblings but efficiently precludes offering third-row seating in this model provided the packaging constraints.

2013 Mini Cooper Clubman

Powertrain: All will be familiar, with the same 3- and 4-cylinder gasoline engines as the existing Cooper hatchback, probably running all the way to the 228-hp John Cooper Operates powertrain, and with a decision of automatic or stick-shift transmissions. Europeans will also be in a position to pick diesel versions, although they practically undoubtedly won’t make it to the U.S. And as mentioned above, the platform gives all-wheel drive, which we think will be presented as an choice some time following launch.

Competition: Fiat 500L, Ford Focus ST, Volkswagen Golf SportWagen.

Estimated Arrival and Value: Appear for the new Clubman to arrive in the 4th quarter of 2015, and to command roughly $ 1500 far more than the commensurate 2-door, non-Clubman hatchbacks.

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2016 Mini Cooper S Clubman Rendered, Detailed: It’s Coming to Haul Your Stuff

2014 Mini Cooper S Hardtop Extended-Term Update: Back in Michigan for Winter

Long-Term Road Test Update

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Our long-term Mini rattles back to Michigan just in time for winter.

• DAVE BEARD AND


• MICHAEL SIMARI

WHAT WE LIKE AND WHY: We haven’t noticed our lengthy-term Mini Cooper S in a while, as it spent the summer time on assignment in Los Angeles. But receiving back behind the wheel reminds us of how considerably a lot more refined the most current Mini is than prior generations. The feel is more akin to a small BMW than an eager runabout, with enhanced ergonomics and instrumentation. The light, precise action of the clutch and shifter are practically perfect for spirited driving, and even though the go-kart really feel has been somewhat watered down, the Mini can still deliver smiles when hitting an apex. And there’s lots of grunt from the S’s turbocharged 2.-liter, and with all 207 lb-ft of torque peaking at a superlow 1250 rpm, it’s easier to deal with thick traffic. We’re still averaging 30 mpg overall with normal flogging, which equates to 350 miles of range.

WHAT WE Don’t LIKE AND WHY: In spite of higher initial compliance from the suspension versus prior models, the most current Mini nevertheless crashes over most bumps and has currently created several creaks and rattles in its structure. Although not as prominent as in earlier Minis, such as our flimsy extended-term 2009 JCW convertible, the clatter nevertheless lends a feeling of cheapness. Eighteen-inch wheels and 40-series rubber certainly do not assist the ride, either. And even though the most current Mini’s enlarged dimensions permit a slightly more capacious cargo region and rear seat, squeezing 2 adults in the back of the 3-door hardtop is a terrible thought.

WHAT WENT Incorrect AND WHY: In spite of the lackluster structural integrity, our Mini has been reasonably easy to reside with. The vehicle visited the dealer twice while in California about 11,000 miles, but neither stop expense us a dime. The very first was a scheduled oil and filter modify and inspection, which was covered under Mini’s integrated free of charge upkeep for 3 years or 36,000 miles. An oil leak prompted the second check out shortly thereafter, with the problem being a faulty oil-filter housing, which was tended to below warranty as a identified issue. Being Michigan in December, our biggest expense given that the vehicle returned to HQ has been a set of 205/45-17 Bridgestone Blizzak LM-60 run-flat winter tires ($ 736 from Tire Rack), which we mounted on a set of replacement 17-inch wheels provided by Mini (we were unable to acquire run-flat winter rubber in the OE size for the car’s stock 18s). Then, since we’re vain, we spent $ 62.63 for 4 new center caps that weren’t incorporated with the winter wheels. Even though the squishy winter tires make it hard to analyze any changes in dynamic overall performance from the taller sidewalls, they do at least provide a bit a lot more cushion to the ride over frozen, pockmarked pavement.

Where WE WENT AND WHY: As we talked about, the Mini just returned from California and has served mostly as a local commuter even though back residence in Michigan. It did, nonetheless, travel often while out west, which includes treks from Los Angeles to Las Vegas and the higher desert about Barstow, California. Although the onset of winter and the car’s diminutive size will surely limit its road-trip possible in the coming months, its pluckiness need to entertain on the several shorter voyages about the holidays. —Mike Sutton

Months in Fleet: 6 months
Present Mileage: 15,148 miles Typical Fuel Economy: 30 mpg
Fuel Tank Size: 11.6 gal Fuel Variety: 350 miles
Service: $ Regular Wear: $ Repair: $
Harm and Destruction: $

Continued…

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2014 Mini Cooper S Hardtop Extended-Term Update: Back in Michigan for Winter

2014 Mini Cooper S Hardtop Lengthy-Term Update: Back in Michigan for Winter

Extended-Term Road Test Update

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Our extended-term Mini rattles back to Michigan just in time for winter.

• DAVE BEARD AND


• MICHAEL SIMARI

WHAT WE LIKE AND WHY: We haven’t observed our long-term Mini Cooper S in a although, as it spent the summer season on assignment in Los Angeles. But receiving back behind the wheel reminds us of how much more refined the newest Mini is than previous generations. The feel is far more akin to a tiny BMW than an eager runabout, with enhanced ergonomics and instrumentation. The light, precise action of the clutch and shifter are almost excellent for spirited driving, and while the go-kart really feel has been somewhat watered down, the Mini can nonetheless deliver smiles when hitting an apex. And there’s lots of grunt from the S’s turbocharged 2.-liter, and with all 207 lb-ft of torque peaking at a superlow 1250 rpm, it’s easier to deal with thick traffic. We’re still averaging 30 mpg overall with typical flogging, which equates to 350 miles of range.

WHAT WE Don’t LIKE AND WHY: Regardless of greater initial compliance from the suspension versus previous models, the newest Mini nonetheless crashes over most bumps and has currently created many creaks and rattles in its structure. Though not as prominent as in preceding Minis, such as our flimsy long-term 2009 JCW convertible, the clatter nonetheless lends a feeling of cheapness. Eighteen-inch wheels and 40-series rubber certainly do not aid the ride, either. And although the newest Mini’s enlarged dimensions permit a slightly more capacious cargo location and rear seat, squeezing 2 adults in the back of the 3-door hardtop is a terrible thought.

WHAT WENT Incorrect AND WHY: Despite the lackluster structural integrity, our Mini has been reasonably easy to reside with. The vehicle visited the dealer twice although in California around 11,000 miles, but neither stop cost us a dime. The 1st was a scheduled oil and filter modify and inspection, which was covered below Mini’s included totally free maintenance for 3 years or 36,000 miles. An oil leak prompted the second pay a visit to shortly thereafter, with the difficulty being a faulty oil-filter housing, which was tended to under warranty as a identified concern. Becoming Michigan in December, our biggest expense since the auto returned to HQ has been a set of 205/45-17 Bridgestone Blizzak LM-60 run-flat winter tires ($ 736 from Tire Rack), which we mounted on a set of replacement 17-inch wheels provided by Mini (we had been unable to receive run-flat winter rubber in the OE size for the car’s stock 18s). Then, since we’re vain, we spent $ 62.63 for 4 new center caps that weren’t incorporated with the winter wheels. Despite the fact that the squishy winter tires make it tough to analyze any changes in dynamic functionality from the taller sidewalls, they do at least provide a bit more cushion to the ride over frozen, pockmarked pavement.

Where WE WENT AND WHY: As we talked about, the Mini just returned from California and has served mainly as a local commuter while back residence in Michigan. It did, nonetheless, travel regularly whilst out west, which includes treks from Los Angeles to Las Vegas and the high desert about Barstow, California. While the onset of winter and the car’s diminutive size will surely limit its road-trip possible in the coming months, its pluckiness should entertain on the many shorter voyages around the holidays. —Mike Sutton

Months in Fleet: 6 months
Current Mileage: 15,148 miles Average Fuel Economy: 30 mpg
Fuel Tank Size: 11.6 gal Fuel Range: 350 miles
Service: $ Normal Put on: $ Repair: $
Harm and Destruction: $

Continued…

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2014 Mini Cooper S Hardtop Lengthy-Term Update: Back in Michigan for Winter

BMW 2-series Gets Mini Cooper Engine and AWD Diesel—Just Not In U.S.

BMW just announced some interesting updates to the fun-size, rear-wheel-drive 2-series. Beginning in March of 2015, the entry-level 218i will be powered by the 1.5-liter turbo 3-cylinder that motivates the base model Mini Cooper, while elsewhere on the choice sheet buyers will be able to spec a diesel-powered 220d with all-wheel drive. There’s a catch, though: BMW tells us these setups will not be available in North America. Bummer.

The 1.5-liter 3-banger will bring 136 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque to BMW’s littlest coupe. The organization says it’ll get the European equivalent of 42 to 46 miles per gallon, although at a bit of a expense to efficiency: The thrifty 3-cylinder will take a shade beneath 9 seconds to sprint to 60 mph. That nonetheless seems affordable to us, specifically given the competent 2-series chassis and availability of a true 3-pedal 6-speed manual. Consider of it as a rear-wheel-drive Mini Cooper, sorta.

Alongside the 218i, BMW will also roll out an all-wheel-drive version of the diesel-powered 220d, a setup the organization says will surpass the European equivalent of 50 mpg. With diesel torque to spare, such a model will sprint to 62 mph in a somewhat more sporting 6.8 seconds.

The poor news? Neither the thrifty 3-banger nor the torqueful diesel is headed to North America’s shores. A BMW spokesman confirmed to Vehicle and Driver that the 2015 lineup will stay the exact same as it ever was: 228i and M235i, in coupe and convertible kind, with optional all-wheel drive.

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Of course, BMW is only interested in bringing to the U.S. the models that will sell well—meaning nicely appointed variants with enough motor to satisfy the Ultimate Driving Machine tagline we’ve been hearing because the mid-1970s. Still, we’d enjoy to get these thrifty 2-series variants more than right here. Guess we’re left carrying out what we usually do in this situation: staring longingly toward Europe and sighing.

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BMW 2-series Gets Mini Cooper Engine and AWD Diesel—Just Not In U.S.

2014 Mini Cooper S Hardtop Lengthy-Term Test Intro: Bulking Up For a 40,000-Mile Exercise

Long-Term Road Test Intro

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Hello, new Mini. You happen to be looking really, uh, hearty.

• DAVE BEARD AND


• MICHAEL SIMARI

There are all sorts of techniques to pay compliments to buddies who have obviously lost weight, but there’s not a lot to say to those who have gotten bigger. Normally it is ideal to just say absolutely nothing, but we do not want to be rude. So to our newest long-term tester, a 2014 Mini Cooper S, we say: Hola! Welcome! You are looking awfully, er, lush these days!

The newly maximized Mini is massive for a cause. For its 2014 overhaul, it moved onto BMW’s new UKL global front-drive platform, which quickly will underpin a complete family members of Mini and BMW cars, all of them bigger than the Cooper hardtop. So the new Cooper, internally dubbed F56, had to stretch a bit as a compromise for its shared architecture. Park the new next to the outgoing R56 model (or particularly next to BMW’s original 2001–2006 R50), and the variations are dramatic. The new Cooper has turn into something but mini.

Blasted by the Gigant-o-Ray

The length grows in this generation by 4.5 inches while the width expands by 1.7 inches. That might not sound like considerably, but in an industry that sweats each millimeter, that is a double-barrel blast from the Gigant-o-Ray. Your driveway may possibly suddenly appear a lot smaller sized, but all of this, uh, blossoming is not without its positive aspects, specially to all round interior spaciousness (despite the fact that there are nonetheless some ergonomic challenges in the cabin).

Not only is the platform new, the engine is, too. The 189-hp 2.-liter turbo 4-cylinder is the middle youngster of BMW’s new expandable engine family members, which makes use of a standardized 500-cc cylinder and simply stacks it, from the base Mini’s transverse 1.5-liter 3 up to the longitudinal 3.-liter inline-6. With all this newness in the ’14 Mini Cooper, we had been obliged to preserve 1 for a while to see how this overhauled Mini stands up to longer scrutiny.

This Volcanic Orange example arrives for its 40,000-mile run as a completely loaded Cooper S with a appropriate 6-speed manual. And by fully loaded, we actually imply it, due to the fact Mini gives a Fully Loaded choice pack that wads up a bunch of other option groups, like the Premium, Sport, and Wired packages, into a single huge $ 4500 hit. It contains navigation, a sunroof, 18-inch wheels, LED headlights, and mongo connectivity choices amongst its extended list of amenities. We also got a couple of nice-to-haves such as the fancier Cross Punch Carbon Black leather for $ 1500, the Cold Weather pack for $ 600, Dynamic Damper Handle and a head-up display, every for $ 500, and a 1-year subscription to satellite radio for $ 300. The rear spoiler, storage package with an adjustable rear cargo floor, and an anthracite-hued headliner every price $ 250.

Crunching the Stats

Total: $ 33,795. That’s a massive value for what is, and in spite of all the current swelling, nevertheless a modest vehicle. The initial test-track numbers, beginning with the 2839-pound curb weight and the 6.6-second zero-to-60 run, do not show progress more than a 2622-pound Cooper S we tested in 2007, which hit 60 in 6.2 seconds. But it is nevertheless the early days of this new engine. As factors loosen up, the times should come down, despite the fact that possibly not by sufficient to make the 2014 model any faster than its predecessor. Nevertheless, the new Mini’s .91-g skidpad-grip figure shows real capability, and we appear forward to exploiting it over the miles to come.

So far we’ve noticed that the maxi Mini is less of a toy than its predecessors and far more of a grown-up car. The steering is still hyper-reactive compared with most cars’, but the ride has mellowed out, at least more than the milder bumps, and the Cooper’s road presence feels more substantial. We’re still understanding the new ergonomics, but factors such as conventionally placed window switches and the new giant super knob for the infotainment unit are helping. All the connectivity possibilities and ease of use are currently garnering praise from these who like to stream music from their phones.

The Mini is now on the West Coast carrying out typical shuttles amongst Los Angeles and San Francisco, and it makes the dull miles in between these metropolises melt pretty quickly with a composed highway ride and a powerful engine. So far, we’re averaging 30 mpg from the lengthy-stroke 2.-liter, which is welcome considering the tiny, 11.6-gallon fuel tank.

There will be more maxi Mini observations to come as we maintain you updated on the car’s progress in the course of its keep.

Months in Fleet: 2 months
Existing Mileage: 6629 miles Average Fuel Economy: 30 mpg
Fuel Tank Size: 11.6 gallons Fuel Variety: 345 miles
Service: $ Typical Put on: $ Repair: $

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2014 Mini Cooper S Hardtop Lengthy-Term Test Intro: Bulking Up For a 40,000-Mile Exercise

2015 Mini Cooper 5-Door Pictures and Info: Mini Does Conventional

Official Images and Info

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Mini does conventional.

If you believe the latest Mini Hardtop to be neither specifically mini nor more attractive than its predecessor, we wouldn’t argue either point. The most current 3-door Hardtop’s generous size boost does make for a roomier interior, but the vehicle also appears like a 5-4ths—or larger—scale Mini. Now Mini is expanding the brand (how numerous occasions will we write those words?) with this volume-chasing 5-door, which is a first if you don’t count the Countryman crossover. Sadly, the 5r does not fix the Hardtop’s visual eccentricities, but it does provide another bump in cabin space.

Mild Size Bump, Bumpy Look

There’s no question that the 5-Door, as Mini is officially calling it, will attract people to the brand who shun its much less practical or less-mini models. But does practicality need to have to look like this? The 6-door (counting the rear barn doors) Mini Clubman notion that wowed us at this year’s Geneva auto show had us salivating for this automobile. The show house had it all: Great appears, a sultry roofline, and upscale detailing inside and out.

The production 5-door, on the other hand, is no more than a mildly stretched Mini with an additional pair of doors wedged in. All round length has been taffy-pulled by roughly 6 inches, even though the wheelbase expands by just half that it is no wonder the addition of rear doors looks awkward. The handsome Clubman idea, by contrast, stretched a whopping 15 or so inches longer than a Hardtop, affording it far greater proportions.

About half—1.5 inches—of the 5-door’s extra wheelbase has been translated into rear-seat legroom, and if they’re stubby, at least the rear doors will make it simpler to access the back seat. The new Mini’s cargo hold will swallow 9.2 cubic feet of stuff behind the back seats, .5 a lot more than before.

Aside from rear passengers getting door pulls to play with and C-pillars in their peripheral vision, people in a 5-door will occupy an nearly identical interior. The 5-door hatch can carry 5 individuals, though, whereas the Hardtop accommodates only 4. But provided that the 2 automobiles share an identical 68-inch width, the fifth aboard ought to most likely be named Jack or Jim.

Powertrains by BMW

The 5-door’s hood will hide the identical engines as in the Hardtop. That means base Cooper models get a turbocharged and direct-injected 1.5-liter 3-cylinder gas engine hooked to either a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic. Output stands at a respectable 134 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque. The hotter option is the Cooper S, which mates the same 6-speed gearboxes to a 2.-liter turbo 4 creating 189 horsepower and 207 lb-ft of torque. (An overboost function temporarily bumps the engines’ torque figures to 170 and 221 lb-ft.) Both models are front-wheel drive.

The new hatchback’s reasonably mild stretch should iron out the ride a bit and likely will not prove detrimental to the car’s chuckability. The larger Mini hatch utilizes the exact same strut front and multilink rear suspension setup, and it shares the choice of adaptive dampers that let the driver to tailor the ride and handling.

The Mini 5-door will be offered with a host of driver-help technologies, such as a head-up show, road-sign detection for speed-limit placards, camera-primarily based adaptive cruise handle, collision and pedestrian-effect warnings, and even an automatic braking function. This sort of gear must, like the pair of rear doors, support expand the Mini’s appeal.

This new vehicle fills dealers’ need for a 5-door Mini that’s less costly and smaller than the Countryman, and they must expect a lot more showroom traffic. But we hope the quirky Clubman concept has a future, barn doors and all, simply because this 5-door—and a prospective complete-blown SUV—indicates that Mini is pondering a lot more conventionally than ever.

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2015 Mini Cooper 5-Door Pictures and Info: Mini Does Conventional