MINI Clubman

As expected, a lot of things in the cabin of the Mini Clubman have been shared with the Mini three-door and five-door hatches, with the layout of the cabin and elements having a retro theme fused well with the modern trends. Available in multiple leather upholstery options to choose from, the interior of the Mini Clubman can also be customised with various trim finisher options to liven up the youthfulness of the cabin. 

The entire dashboard of the Mini Clubman is a lift-off from the Mini Hatch, including the round-themed multi-functional steering wheel, full-TFT instrument console and centrally-stacked circular 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. To keep up with the trend, the Mini Clubman has been equipped with modern features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, heated seats, automatic climate control with rear AC vents, a front centre armrest with storage, ambient lighting and driver seat height adjustment.

The list of optional features that can be added in the cabin of the Mini Clubman Cooper S for added costs are auto-folding rearview mirrors with logo projection, panoramic sunroof, a more premium Harman Kardon audio system, a heated front windscreen, head-up display and wireless charger.

Based on the third-generation Mini hatchback, the Mini Clubman shares a lot with the former, with it having a distinctive-looking rear profile that might not be to everyone’s taste. The longer wheelbase and a slightly wide-body design make its road presence look even stronger than the hatchbacks. 

The funkiness of the Mini hatch is there in the Mini Clubman too, with the front having rounded LED headlamps that have LED projectors and round LED DRLs. The grille in the middle can be customised with different trims and finishes, and so can the stripes for the bonnet. The front bumper has round-themed fog lamps and air inlets that are present on the lower edges of the lower half of the grille. 

The Mini Clubman has a much longer wheelbase even over the five-door hatch, with it also having the wraparound design for the window beltline chrome finish, blacked pillars, and door-mounted round-themed rearview mirrors. There are 17-inch and 18-inch alloy wheel options available for the Mini Clubman. At the back, the Mini Clubman has its personality, with it having split-opening rear doors and blacked-out door handles on the inner edges. The Clubman also has wide LED tail lamps with distinctive Union Jack LED inserts, a typical design trait of Mini cars. 

While the longer wheelbase has enhanced the spaciousness of the cabin, it doesn’t take much toll on the driving dynamics of the Mini Clubman. It might not be as precise as the smaller three-door and five-door Mini hatchbacks, but the Mini Clubman feels engaging to drive, with its single joint spring-strut front axle and multiple control-arm rear axle having a stiffer tune. Also shared with the Mini hatchbacks are the three drive modes – Green, Mid and Sport – for a more involving driving experience. 

The Malaysian car market now gets the Mini Clubman with a single 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine, which produces a maximum power output of 178 PS and a maximum torque output of 280 Nm. A 7-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive configuration are offered as standard for the Mini Clubman Cooper S sold in Malaysia. 

The comprehensive package of safety features available in the Mini Clubman includes six airbags, ABS with EBD and brake assist, cornering brake control, dynamic stability control, front and rear parking sensors, along with optional add-ons like a rear camera, head-up display and ADAS features. 

The Mini Clubman is the most practical the Mini Cooper can get, with the extremely spacious cabin and boot compartment making it a perfect fit for a family-oriented car buyer, who doesn’t want to miss out on the impressive performance and driving characteristics of the Mini hatchback.