First Drive: 2011 Mini Cooper Clubman

Now that a full four-door Countryman is available in the Mini lineup, the Cooper Clubman becomes the odd man out.

Acknowledging the fact that it's difficult to remain an adolescent forever, Mini expanded its lineup with a longer wheelbase Clubman model for the 2008 model year. A longer wheelbase, a third entry door, and what Mini USA calls rear barn doors are the key features. As with other Minis, six-speed manual and automatic transmissions are available with two 1.6-liter DOHC four-cylinder engines: the standard Cooper Clubman is normally aspirated, the Cooper S is turbocharged and intercooled. For 2011, a mid-cycle refresh applies to the whole family of two- and three-door Minis.

Photo Gallery: 2011 Mini Cooper Clubman - First Drive - Automobile Magazine

First Drive: 2011 Mini Cooper Clubman

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Mini Countryman Diesel review

Mini Countryman Diesel

What is it?

This is the 5-door Mini, which many Mini buyers have been waiting for apparently. Seems the main reason Mini owners leave the brand is the woeful lack of space (especially when kids are involved), something the clumsy Clubman model failed to answer. The resulting elephantine looks of the MINI Countryman take some getting used to.

Technical highlights?

BMW has developed a new diesel engine for the Mini, a 1.6-litre, 112bhp turbo diesel. The only Countryman available to us was the 4WD version (which BMW confusingly calls the 'All4' option) boasting a tardy 11.6sec 0-60mph, thanks to having a 1380kg kerbweight. Fortunately, the turbo kicks in early and provides plenty of torque (peaking at 199lb ft at 1750rpm) so it never feels as slow as this figure might suggest. Combined fuel consumption is 57.6mpg for the model tested here but this rises to 64.2mpg for the fwd version.

Mini Countryman Diesel

What's it like to drive?

The main issues are the rather strange handling characteristics of the Mini Countryman. It's an odd mix of the usual super sharp turn-in, but with much more roll. There's more suspension travel on offer too and together with the higher centre of gravity (thanks to the taller body and ride height) it combines to remove much of the fun from the driving experience.

As for ride quality, this depends on how you spec the car. Go for the Chili pack on the All4 version and you get 17-inch wheels, which do compromise the ride without adding much to the driving experience. Run-flats are optional. Avoid them.

How does it compare?

It is the run-away success of cars such as the Nissan Qashqai that Mini is chasing and there's no doubt the Countryman makes a more stylish choice. But you will have to buy into the whole Mini ethos to put the Countryman top of its class, as it is so much more expensive than its rivals. A Mini Countryman Cooper D All4 lists at £19,875.

Anything else I need to know?

BMW isn't expecting much uptake of the All4 version and I expect they're right not to. The 4WD doesn't add anything to the drive. BMW couldn't tell me if the difference in power between the One D and Cooper D (22bhp and 44lb ft of torque) was simply down to a recalibration of the ECU but I suspect it is, as the CO2 figures for both are identical at 115g CO2/km.

Review Source

MINI E Electric Vehicle Feedback

Those who are yearning to know how is it like to use an electric vehicle in your daily life may find this article by release by BMW and summarize by WorldCarFans helpful. BMW commissioned the University of California, Davis to conduct the study on a select few. Here are their reactions :

most MINI E cutomers are generally happy with their cars after six months of usage. However, as the financial post report, the most common complaint is "range anxiety."

Although a fully-charged MINI E can keep the car moving for 160 kilometers, a full recharge with the included high voltage cables takes between four and eight hours. If a MINI E owner is forced to plug the car into a standard 110-volt household outlet, recharge time takes up to 23 hours.

MINI E driver Tom Moloughney told the Canadian newspaper, "Until there are plentiful public charging stations, there is an 'electric leash' that you must respect." Because of this, Moloughney installed an extra charging station at work. "Being able to charge midday virtually doubles the range for me. I've driven as much as 280 km in a single day, which is more than just about anyone would need to do for a work day."

It is this last statement that BMW's marketing department is really honing in on. A press release from the MINI parent says that 160 kilometers has been reported as being "sufficient for most daily needs" by the 57 drivers surveyed in the study. The study also examined the logs of all 450 MINI E drivers, who say that the motoring experience in the electric vehicle is just as "delightful" as in a conventionally-powered car. However, driver's would also like to see more room for cargo and additional passengers.

"When people first drive the MINI E, they usually don't like the regenerative braking," said Dr. Thomas Turrentine. Dr. Turrentine is running the MINI E study for UC Davis. Still, the report shows that "after a few hours they get used to [regenerative brakes], and after they have driven it for a week, they are very positive about it."

The MINI E trial will also serve as the basis for the limited rollout of the BMW ActiveE electric car. The ActiveE was shown off at the NAIAS, and will become available in limited numbers from 2011.