As it nears R600 000, can the fieriest version of the Golf-sized Clubman match its smaller siblings on sheer driving pleasure; or is it an overpriced anachronism?
There is a bigger Mini than the Clubman, of course. The new Countryman, which has just launched in South Africa, jettisons all pretence at being an entertaining hatchback, as most Minis have always been, and rather enthusiastically embraces its role in the British brand’s stable as a compact crossover with a modicum of engaging handling.
The hatchbacks with their shorter wheelbases, meanwhile – whether in three- or five-door guise – demand their owners accept some compromises in terms of space inside and general rolling comfort in return for fizzy, enlivening driving manners. The Clubman, therefore, appears ideally placed to draw in those buyers who crave a smidgeon more room in the cockpit, but who’d prefer not to sacrifice a gratifying drive (and, no doubt, brand cachet).
And that’s exactly the type of vehicle we discovered when we tested a Cooper S version in March last year. We loved that derivative’s engaging character coupled with a more practical cabin, more refined finishes inside and generally more polished demeanour. It presents a worthwhile alternative to hot versions of the Volkswagen Golf, Audi A3 and Ford Focus. The vehicle here, however, has a somewhat different remit.
It wears that badge, and that badge represents everything that’s wonderful about Mini’s 58-year history, chequered as it is with an equal number of failures as it is with successes. The badge recalls John Cooper, of course. He was intimately involved in the development of the original Mini and his son, Michael Cooper, founded John Cooper Works as recently as 2000 to tune BMW-era Minis. The German company loved the idea and bought out the company in 2008. These days, JCW-badged Minis are no longer simply modified derivatives of current models, but bespoke versions developed in-house by BMW.
They sit at the summit of their respective model ranges and are the most expensive, most powerful and best-equipped versions. In the case of the Clubman, that means a list price nearing R600 000 for this automatic-transmissioned version offering 170 kW and a plucky 350 N.m. It also includes a whole roster of standard-spec items spanning LED headlamps, auto lights and wipers, 18-inch alloys (19s on this lavishly specced test car), keyless access and start, PDC and a multitude of trim bits and bobs – some effective; others chintzy.
Under the stubby hood, BMW’s familiar 2,0-litre, single-turbo petrol engine sits transversely and directs power to all four wheels on the JCW (the only Clubman so driven). The All4 system, a development of BMW’s xDrive setup, can direct up to 50% of the power to the rear axle, or the full allocation to the front wheels.
The engine operates through a silky smooth, eight-speed, torque-converter automatic transmission that fires off shifts speedily and intuitively. And that’s just as well, because the powertrain needs all the help it can get. A 0-100 km/h sprint time of 6,99 seconds may look rather impressive, but in daily driving, the JCW Clubman’s get-up-and-go is tempered by the as-tested kerb weight of 1 590 kg. In our in-gear acceleration tests, it was barely quicker than the 141 kW/280 N.m Cooper S Clubman.
It certainly sounds better than the S. With the Mini Driving system set to sport+ mode, the dual-exhaust system cracks and sizzles on the overrun, during up- and downshifts; hell, even during normal shifts. Keep it in sport+ and the chassis feels game for anything. Thanks to a lengthy wheel-base, the Clubman remains commendably settled on a bumpy road, cornering flatly and securely. Big bumps still knock it offline, sure, but the chassis finds a flow over the type of tar that would hobble smaller Minis.
Forget about adjustability in a corner, however. Keep your foot on the long-travel throttle and the JCW Clubman defaults to mild understeer as the tyres beg for mercy. Lift slightly and the nose lightly tucks in; the rear axle never enters play, and that’s a pity considering how spirited the front-wheel-driven Cooper S setup is.
That said, driven at 8/10ths, the JCW Clubman has charm in spades. Expecting the additional drag of the All4 system to affect the fuel consumption, we were pleasantly surprised when the JCW registered a usage of just 7,2 L/100 km on our standardised 100 km fuel route. Regular users can expect a figure closer to 8,0, which is still respectable for a vehicle with 170 kW on tap.