Skip to main content

Mini’s new Clubman is the cure to the common crossover

The proliferation of crossovers has virtually killed the station wagon in the U.S., but if you like the idea of a vehicle with lots of cargo space, but don’t like the idea of riding high, here’s one for you.

The current-generation Mini lineup already includes the original Hardtop and the Hardtop four-door hatchbacks, but now Mini is bringing back the stretched Clubman model.

The last Clubman’s hearse-like profile remains, but the suicide rear half-doors have been replaced by conventional, full-size doors. At the back, the Clubman still has two rear cargo doors, like what you’d normally find on a van.

To make room for those bigger rear doors, Mini lengthened the Clubman by 10.9 inches, and also widened it by 2.9 inches. As with other recent Mini models, the Clubman is small by modern car standards, but not exactly “mini.”

In addition to bulking up like the other recent Mini variants, the Clubman adopts their styling cues. The traditional Mini headlights and grille have been massged for the bigger shape, and on the inside the Clubman now features a conventional gauge cluster, with the giant central disc now used for infotainment displays.

Engine choices mirror those of the Mini hatchbacks. The base Cooper Clubman gets a 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine with 134 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque (169 lb-ft with the overboost function).

Stepping up to the sportier Cooper S Clubman nets a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, with 189 hp and 206 lb-ft of torque (221 lb-ft with overboost). Both models come standard with a six-speed manual transmission. A six-speed automatic is available on the Cooper, while the Cooper S gets an eight-speed auto.

Mini says the Cooper Clubman will do 0 to 60 mph in 8.9 seconds with either transmission, and reach a top speed of 127 mph. The Cooper S will do 0 to 60 mph in 6.9 seconds with the automatic and 7.0 seconds with the manual. Its top speed is 142 mph.

Drivers can also adjust the car’s behavior with three modes — Sport, Green, and Mid — and the Clubman is available with several electronic aids, including Park Distance Control, adaptive cruise control, and a collision warning system with automatic braking.

There’s also an available head-up display with speed-limit information, and the standard Mini Connected infotainment system with smartphone connectivity for Apple and certain Android phones. A 6.5-inch display screen is standard, and an 8.8-inch screen is optional.

The new Mini Clubman will debut at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show in September, and go on sale in the U.S. in January 2016.

Stephen Edelstein
Stephen is a freelance automotive journalist covering all things cars. He likes anything with four wheels, from classic cars…
You Asked: State of smartphone design, Slate Truck breakdown, and soundbars under $600
You Asked

On today’s You Asked: What's to come with the new Slate Truck and its potential availability? Is it worth the hype? Why does it feel like smartphone design and innovation has stalled recently? And why do directors think that ultra wide 21:9 is a good ratio for movies?
Slate Truck breakdown with John McCann
Some of you have been in touch to ask about the availability of the new Slate Truck. I'll go through the preorder process in a moment, but first, let's get everyone up to speed on this newly unveiled EV. What is it? What makes it stand out? And why is it generating so much buzz?
This is being touted as a sub-$20,000 electric truck after government incentives, and you’ll be able to customize it to your heart’s content. It stands out not so much for what it offers, but for what it doesn’t offer as standard. There’s just one trim and one paint color. No touchscreen, no stereo, no Bluetooth, no electric windows.

So, what do you get? There are two seats. There's a five-meter bed, good for payloads up to 1,400 pounds. There's AC, steel wheels, and hand-cranked windows, plus all the standard driver safety assists you’d expect from a modern vehicle. There’s a rear-mounted electric motor, a roomy frunk, and a battery rated for about 150 miles, according to Slate.
That isn’t great in the world of EV range, but a larger battery will be available to push that figure up to a more reasonable 240 miles. That bigger battery is just one of over 100 add-ons Slate is making available. These will be offered not just at the point of purchase but also at any time during your ownership, allowing you to swap and upgrade as your needs evolve.
Want to add a splash of color? Check out the vast range of vinyl wraps you can apply and remove from the truck at will. There’s also an SUV upgrade kit that converts your two-seater truck into a five-seater car. Inside, infotainment is strictly “bring your own device.” There’s no touchscreen, no built-in CarPlay, not even a stereo. Instead, you get a universal phone mount and a few USB ports. You can also add holders for a tablet if you want a bigger display, and a Bluetooth speaker if you want to listen to music while out for a drive.

Read more
ID. Buzz recall appears to have made automotive history
The VW ID.Buzz electric van.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has recalled almost 5,700 ID. Buzz electric vans because the VW-made vehicle has too much space in the back.

OK, let us explain. The U.S. regulator has found that the third-row bench seat of the ID. Buzz is ostensibly designed for two people and therefore has two seat belts built in. But it’s wide enough for three, and as a result, the NHTSA wants the German auto giant to make some changes so that it fully complies with the required safety standards.

Read more
My next car must have this Carplay and Android Auto feature, here’s why
Google Maps in full screen on the driver's second display on the Chevy Equinox 2025

I’ve been driving a Chevrolet Equinox 2025 SUV rental car for the past week, and it’s reminded me exactly what my next car needs. It runs Android Automotive, which I’ve already decided is a requirement in my next car, but the more convenient feature is arguably how Chevrolet has approached its CarPlay and Android Auto integration.

CarPlay and Android Auto offer immense benefits and virtually no pitfalls to drivers. They’re designed to bring your phone and its apps into your car, and make it easier to access up-to-date maps and traffic data without relying on often-archaic solutions implemented by your carmaker.

Read more