"Our salesman, Jeff Testerman went above and beyond the call of duty to accommodate us when we were looking at the MINIs and after we decided to purchase the vehicle. He spent over 7 hours patiently answering our questions and providing us the answers we needed to be comfortable in making the purchase. I ended up buying the vehicle as a birthday gift for my wife and Jeff drove over 2 hour round trip to pick me up so I could surprise her with vehicle. The dealership also gave me a very competitive price after I provided data on regional selling prices. I would highly recommend Mini of Baltimore and Jeff Testerman. By the way, my wife loves the car! ." - 5/25/2011
For 2011, the MINI Cooper Clubman gets more power, fresh styling touches new wheels, and standard HD radio and Sirius satellite radio with one year of free service. The base Cooper gains three horsepower to 121-horsepower, and the turbocharged Cooper S adds nine, to 181-horsepower. All models have new bumper styling, larger fog lamps and new taillight assemblies. MINI offers five wheel designs on the Clubman, ranging from 15 to 17 inches in diameter, and all are new for 2011. Adaptive xenon headlights are a new option. The MINI Cooper Clubman offers the driving enthusiast a combination of fun-to-drive performance, engineering, and unconventional attitude, while providing more space than the two-door hatchback MINI. The MINI Clubman was first introduced for the 2008 model year. While identical to the hardtop from the B-pillars forward, the Clubman is 9.4 inches longer overall, with a correspondingly stretched wheelbase that is 3.1 inches longer. This provides more rear-seat leg room and substantially increased cargo space when compared to the hardtop. It has twin 'barn doors,' alternately referred to as the Splitdoor, and also features a Clubdoor on the right-hand side for more convenient access to the rear seats. Engine and transmission selections are identical to those used in the hardtop model. The use of the name Clubman for the MINI estate van was a break with classic MINI tradition. Clubman was originally the name given to the 1970s face-lift of the classic MINI, which mostly resulted in a squared-off front end.
Powering the 2011 Clubman
The Cooper Clubman is powered by a 118-horsepower 1.6-liter inline four-cylinder engine mated to a six-speed manual transmission or optional six-speed automatic. The MINI Cooper Clubman S is equipped with a 172-horsepower turbocharged version of the same engine, stiffer suspension, performance exhaust system, and 16-inch alloy wheels with 195/55R16 all-season run-flat tires for both body styles; 17-inch wheels are optional. With the manual transmission, MINI says the Cooper S Clubman can accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 6.8 seconds, just 0.2 seconds slower than the regular Cooper S. The Clubman gets a combined 32 mpg in mixed driving. Safety features on the 2011 Clubman include dual front airbags, anti-lock brakes (ABS), Electronic Brake Force Distribution, Brake Assist, and Cornering Brake Control. Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) with traction control is standard, and a version that can be turned on and off is optional on all but the JCW, where it is standard. Hill Assist start-off assistance is a feature of DSC, activating the brakes when starting on an uphill ascent to prevent the car from rolling back. Rear park assist is optional.
2011 MINI Cooper Clubman Design
Differences between the regular Cooper and the Cooper Clubman are most apparent in back, where the Clubman's rear-quarter pillars are painted in contrasting black or silver. It matches the rear bumper and, if desired, the roof. The swing-out doors necessitate a split rear window, and each portion gets its own wiper. The wheelbase is 3.2 inches longer, which helps the Clubman keep its wheels near the bumpers to improve handling, MINI says. The Clubman has many color combinations, as well as options like checkered side mirrors and a Union Jack roof. The 2011 MINI Cooper Clubman is uniquely styled. The cargo area opens with doors that swing out rather than lift up, and a third door on the passenger side that has a reverse opening allows easier access to the back seat, but is unique. Higher level trims (and optional features) are likely to include options like run flat tires, foglights, different choices for wheels, xenon headlights, rear parking assist, and a two-pane sunroof. The John Cooper Works Clubman was new for 2009 and carries into 2011 as a model that is powered by a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder. Besides the extensive changes under the hood, this hot-rod MINI also features unique high-performance brakes and a different exhaust system. As with other MINIs, the automaker offers a number of ways to personalize John Cooper Works cars.
Inside the 2011 Clubman
Inside, the 2011 Clubman is similar to the Cooper model, with a large circular speedometer mounted in the center of the dashboard and plenty of toggle switches among the center controls. The base model includes air conditioning, leatherette upholstery, a CD player with auxiliary audio port, a trip computer, and cruise control. Upgraded trims and options should include features like sport seats, cloth seats, automatic temperature control, leather seats, HD or satellite radio, an iPod connection, and upgraded speakers. One of the primary reasons to choose the MINI Cooper Clubman over the MINI Cooper is the additional legroom in the back seat. There is plenty of headroom in both the front and rear. The current cargo area is usefully shaped, and the rear seat folds flat with a 50/50 split. Backseat passengers have 32.3 inches of legroom, up from 29.9 inches in the regular Cooper. Cargo room behind the rear seats totals 9.2 cubic feet; with the rear seats folded, maximum cargo room totals 32.8 cubic feet, up from 24 cubic feet in the regular Cooper.
Conclusions
MINI stretched the length of its Cooper by 9.4 inches to make the Cooper Clubman. The extra length creates more legroom for the Clubman's two rear passengers, and cargo room behind the backseat is larger. There are a pair of split-opening rear doors that swing out to either side, rather than the regular Cooper's conventional hatchback. There's also a rear-hinged access door on the passenger side. The MINI Cooper's heritage dates back to the late 1950s, when it was conceived by the British Motor Corporation in response to the Suez crisis to provide efficient, bare-bones transportation. It was roomy and comfortable. It was cheap to build, cheap to buy, and cheap to run. Overall, the MINI Cooper Clubman's slightly increased size and interior space don't affect the car's signature look and feel. This is a car that delicately balances fun and practicality - with the emphasis on fun. For more information, visit the official MINI Cooper Clubman website.
The Cooper Clubman is powered by a 118-horsepower 1.6-liter inline four-cylinder engine mated to a six-speed manual transmission or optional six-speed automatic. The MINI Cooper Clubman S is equipped with a 172-horsepower turbocharged version of the same engine, stiffer suspension, performance exhaust system, and 16-inch alloy wheels with 195/55R16 all-season run-flat tires for both body styles; 17-inch wheels are optional. With the manual transmission, MINI says the Cooper S Clubman can accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 6.8 seconds, just 0.2 seconds slower than the regular Cooper S. The Clubman gets a combined 32 mpg in mixed driving. Safety features on the 2011 Clubman include dual front airbags, anti-lock brakes (ABS), Electronic Brake Force Distribution, Brake Assist, and Cornering Brake Control. Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) with traction control is standard, and a version that can be turned on and off is optional on all but the JCW, where it is standard. Hill Assist start-off assistance is a feature of DSC, activating the brakes when starting on an uphill ascent to prevent the car from rolling back. Rear park assist is optional.
Differences between the regular Cooper and the Cooper Clubman are most apparent in back, where the Clubman's rear-quarter pillars are painted in contrasting black or silver. It matches the rear bumper and, if desired, the roof. The swing-out doors necessitate a split rear window, and each portion gets its own wiper. The wheelbase is 3.2 inches longer, which helps the Clubman keep its wheels near the bumpers to improve handling, MINI says. The Clubman has many color combinations, as well as options like checkered side mirrors and a Union Jack roof. The 2011 MINI Cooper Clubman is uniquely styled. The cargo area opens with doors that swing out rather than lift up, and a third door on the passenger side that has a reverse opening allows easier access to the back seat, but is unique. Higher level trims (and optional features) are likely to include options like run flat tires, foglights, different choices for wheels, xenon headlights, rear parking assist, and a two-pane sunroof. The John Cooper Works Clubman was new for 2009 and carries into 2011 as a model that is powered by a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder. Besides the extensive changes under the hood, this hot-rod MINI also features unique high-performance brakes and a different exhaust system. As with other MINIs, the automaker offers a number of ways to personalize John Cooper Works cars.