MINI Clubman

MINI CLUBMAN Series – Overview

The MINI Clubman remains the sole representative of quirky in the automotive landscape. The first generation R55 MINI Clubman was a hit with many, with ‘barn door’ arrangement (two vertically-hinged doors) at the tail and an unconventional single suicide door for entry to the rear seats. MINI did not convert the suicide door from left-hand drive to right-hand drive configuration, so, passengers exiting the rear seats are vulnerable as they only exit to the right, which is the traffic side in our keep-left roads.

Nonetheless, it was spacious and practical, unlike the 3-door hatchback. Back then, the Clubman had more space and looked more normal, unlike the “bulldog” look of the R60 MINI Countryman crossover. MINI Malaysia currently offers two variants of the six-door F54 MINI Clubman range in Malaysia- the Cooper S and the fully-loaded performance-oriented John Cooper Works (JCW) variant.

The MINI Clubman Cooper S is priced at RM 280,527, while the JCW commands a much higher price of RM337,528. Other competitors include the Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 priced from RM285,337, the Audi Q3 Sportback 2.0TFSI from RM311,352 and the BMW X2 sDrive20i from RM 315,170. There was an entry-level Clubman with the highly efficient 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine but has since been discontinued. 

MINI Clubman – Exterior

The front-wheel drive architecture and platform is shared with the MINI Countryman as well as the BMW X1, BMW 1 Series and even the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe. A facelift was introduced in 2019, featuring a larger grille and new insert, headlamps with circular DRLs, wheel design and the famous and instantly recognizable Union Jack pattern on the tail lamps, paying homage to its British heritage.

The passenger doors on the MINI Clubman are unfortunately the conventional doors with window frames. Doors with frameless windows are only available on the iconic MINI 3-door hatchback. The fifth and sixth doors at the tail are mirror designs of each other, which is a bit of a letdown given how emotional a MINI can be. While the Cooper S has LED foglamps at the corner of the bumper, the JCW variant omits them for large openings to cool the auxiliary radiators. 

Both variants get MINI Logo projection puddle lamp, rain-sensing wipers and the unique dual-wiper set up for the two tailgates. The JCW however gets the advanced Matrix LED headlamps while the Cooper S settles for Bi-LED units.
It is easy to identify the Clubman JCW variant, as they have their roof, side mirrors as well as racing stripes on the bonnet plus the lower portion of the doors in red (except for the red paintwork which applies black). 

Dual-tone 19-inch JCW Circuit spoke wheels are fitted with large sport brake calipers painted in red too. As for the Cooper S, 18-inch MINI Yours British Spoke 2-Tone wheels are fitted. The styling theme is black in the MINI Clubman Cooper S, as the roof, side mirrors and few exterior trim pieces are in gloss black finish. 

MINI Clubman – Interior

Dashboard

Thanks to its wider width, the F54 MINI Clubman is fitted with its own dashboard design. It is a simple layout that is seen in all other F-generation MINIs- a central infotainment screen is housed in a circular frame and a compact floating instrument cluster that is fitted on the steering column.

Unique-to-MINI toggle switches are maintained too, with the controls for an engine start-stop switch, idle start/stop, DSC control as well as Sport or Green driving modes. In the JCW variant, the steering wheel sports perforation with red stitching as well as a JCW marking. The foot pedals are also stainless steel covered items. 

As for the surrounding panel that tastefully highlights the dashboard, the JCW variant is fitted with MINI Yours Piano Black Illuminated while the Cooper S with Frozen Blue Illuminated.

Instrument cluster

Space and practicality 

At your first sit on the driver’s seat, you will notice the more spacious interior of the F54 MINI Clubman, thanks to its width that is similar to the Countryman and BMW X1. The front armrest also has an integrated storage compartment, generously sized door pockets on all passenger doors as well as tailgate doors. 

There is even an armrest on the rear seat with cupholders like a BMW. The rear seats feature a 40-20-40 split and with the seats up, there are 360 litres of cargo space, increasing to 1,250 when all seats are folded down. Beneath the boot floor is another six inches of storage space. The MINI Clubman certainly feels as utilitarian as a modern crossover or SUV. 

MINI Clubman – Features

Safety features

There are six airbags in the MINI Clubman and no additional advanced driving assistance systems yet. A rear-view camera is also included as rearward visibility is rather hindered by the design of the “barn doors”.
Attention Assist is fitted as standard in both MINI Clubman variants.

Comfort features

Both variants are fitted with dual-zone automatic climate control with rear duct and the similarities end there.
In the MINI Clubman Cooper S, combination leather seats in MINI Yours black are fitted and the front seats have power adjustment with memory feature for the driver’s seat.

The MINI Clubman JCW has exclusively designed fixed headrest manual-adjusting sports seats wrapped in beautiful grey and black Dinamica leather. All of the seating surfaces also retro-looking stitching of squares for added personality.
A panoramic moonroof is also fitted in the MINI Clubman JCW. Rear passengers can also charge their electronic gadgets via two USB Type-C charging ports.

Infotainment

The performance-oriented MINI Clubman JCW comes with a larger 8.8-inch central touchscreen infotainment display. It also has a wireless smartphone charging pad. The Clubman Cooper S meanwhile feature a smaller 6.5-inch central touchscreen display. Both models have similarities such as Apple CarPlay connectivity, MINI Connected Services, MINI Navigation System and Teleservices.

Thanks to the large space in the MINI Clubman, the designers have the liberty to design a multi-speaker high-performance audio system. Both variants feature a Harman Kardon 12-speaker system with engine sounds amplified via the Active Sound Design. 

MINI Clubman – Powertrain

Engine

Here is where the bulk of the pricing separates the Cooper S and JCW variants. The MINI Clubman Cooper S is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder engine delivering 192 PS/280 Nm. It is the same unit as found in the BMW X1 sDrive20i M Sport variant.

Meanwhile, the Clubman JCW is powered by a heavily upgraded 2.0-litre engine. It debuted in the 2019 facelift timing. The turbocharged four-cylinder engine generates 306 PS at 5,000 to 6,250 rpm and 450 Nm of torque from 1,750 to 4,500 rpm. The engine has been upgraded with a reinforced crankshaft, larger diameter bearings, a larger turbocharger and increased cooling capacity.

This high output engine is also featured in the BMW M135i xDrive hatchback. Many of the powertrain and chassis hardware in both vehicles are shared.

Transmission

Chassis

The MINI Clubman JCW is fitted with sport suspension with 10mm lower ride height and 19-inch wheels while the Cooper S is fitted with 18-inch wheels. Similar to BMW, MINI has also included the Performance Control electronic assist that performs engine control and brake interventions for more agile driving while cornering.

Both transmissions feature an Electronic Differential Lock Control (EDLC) to minimise understeer. However, with much higher torque levels in the Clubman JCW, the front axle is also fitted with a mechanical limited-slip differential (LSD).

Drivetrain

The F54 MINI Clubman Cooper is front-wheel drive premium hatchback, while the MINI Clubman JCW gets the MINI ALL4 all-wheel drive system that is front biased. The ALL4’s control system can lock up the rear multi-plate clutch to deliver a 50-50 equal torque but that is an uncommon occasion, as it dynamically adjusts the power to the rear wheels.  

MINI Clubman – Driving Performance

Engine performance

The MINI Clubman Cooper S with 192 PS / 280 Nm completes the 0 to 100 km/h sprint in 7.2 seconds. Acceleration feels responsive in every gear and never felt lethargic. While the numbers aren’t high, it feels most refined compared to units from Mercedes-Benz and Audi/VW.

Top speed is 228 km/h.

The MINI Clubman JCW with 306 PS and 450 Nm of torque and all-wheel drive traction plus Launch Control completes the century sprint in just 4.9 seconds. Top speed is meanwhile limited to 250 km/h. The acceleration is feracious thanks to the high outputs. 

The turbo lag is also minimised with the instantaneous response being felt from every engine rpm. Exhaust noises are much louder in the Clubman JCW with larger diameter pipes and overall higher exhaust gas flowrate.

Transmission performance

The 7-speed dual-clutch transmission shifts very well but not the fastest, a quality that Volkswagen still holds the title to. Nonetheless, the transmission is clever to select the right gear, hold the gear as well as downshift quickly according to the driver’s input.

The exhaust also makes sound sporty “pops” and “crackles” at gear upshifts and downshifts to entertain the occupants and further emphasise the spirit of the Cooper S. Praise to the 8-speed sports traditional automatic too. It offers fast-changing shifts and paired with well-timed and smooth auto-blipping downshifts.

Steering and handling

These MINI models continue to offer driving joy with accurate steering, minimal body roll and assuring confidence at the driver’s seat. Even with 450 Nm of torque, the Clubman JCW does not feel overwhelmed by power, with the clever electronics delivering power to the front and rear wheels. 

MINI Clubman – Ride Comfort

Soundproofing

Sound insulation is a major step up compared to the predecessor MINI models. It is quiet while on the highway as well as low intrusion of noise on urban and rough roads. Wind noise remains an issue, with audible wind whispers once you just breach the national speed limit.

Passenger comfort

Thanks to the larger footprint and chassis, the MINI Clubman rides more maturely compared to the smaller hatchback. Ride quality doesn’t feel harsh, with decent absorption on rough roads even with 19-inch and sports suspension fitted to the Clubman JCW. Compared to the MINI 5-door hatchback, the Clubman Cooper S is definitely a better overall package with better space and ride quality. 

MINI Clubman – Fuel Economy

The MINI Clubman Cooper S is rated at 6.2 litres per 100 km (16.1 km/L) while the more powerful Clubman JCW returns 7.7 litres per 100 km (13 km/L). 

MINI Clubman – Conclusion

The F54 MINI Clubman has a design that certainly will not appeal to everyone. However, it’s a very well executed premium hatchback with plenty of storage spaces, a commendable amount of shoulder room, great dynamic performance and a relatively comfortable ride.

At this RM280k price range, where it enters locally-assembled premium SUVs that are a segment larger, the MINI Clubman remains to only appeal to the enthusiasts and the more emotional.