Big things come in MINI packages

MANILA, Philippines - Indulge me, dear reader. I’m on a bit of a high. As I write this piece, I’m right smack in the middle of washing down the crisp memories of a long drive in an impressive and quirky (yet not-so-pricey) Japanese hatch, which I drove in the outskirts of Chiang Mai in Thailand (a great exclusive story for another time, no doubt). Even more recent, however, is the aftertaste of an acknowledged automotive icon. I’ve just come off a couple of wicked rounds on the Clark Speedway on board one of the most iconic little cars to have ever graced any kind of road. Yes. The MINI Cooper has finally made its official Philippine debut.

Over three days last week, British United Automobiles, Inc., official distributors of MINI in the Philippines, hosted a media/customers familiarization run via the MINI Drive Experience. The stars of the three-day show were obviously the cars – the MINI Cooper, The MINI Cooper S, and the MINI Cooper Clubman. And it was a coming out party worthy of the drive to Pampanga. British United Automobiles, Inc. flew in no less than Klaus Heimerl, head trainer of all BMW Group driving instructors worldwide, to conduct the familiarization drive. Ably assisting him was our good friend Georges Ramirez, of the famed Ramirez racing clan. As you can imagine, access to a brand spanking new test track and some fine automobiles and all, I had my mind set on driving hard. But perspectives can indeed change with the circumstances.

While the media run was held early during the three-day run, British United Automobiles, Inc. kindly made room for this writer the day after I had flown in from Thailand – which was technically the last day of the MINI Drive Experience. I thus found myself in unfamiliar territory, amongst prospective MINI owners who have a totally different perspective on test-driving automobiles. While we in media would be looking to push the cars to their limits, for example (allowing us access to an official test track is pretty much a go-signal), a good number of prospective owners have other concerns in mind – not the least of which is how comfort supercedes performance. I was mildly (and quite fondly) surprised, therefore, at how popular the MINI Cooper Clubman was during the test run.

The MINI Cooper Clubman is clearly a stand out from whichever way you choose to look at it. For the uninitiated… think stretch MINI. With 80 millimeters more rear legroom than the typical MINI, and access to a rear “lounge” provided by an additional door hinged at the right hand side of the car and a couple more wing-split doors at the rear, it’s a picture-pretty utility vehicle waiting to surprise even the most jaded of car lovers. In the Philippines, the MINI Clubman will come in as a 1.6-litre four-cylinder variant that develops 120 hp at 6,600 rpm. Nothing to go crazy about where performance is concerned – but ample enough to get the job done in Metro Manila’s traffic infested streets.

The base-model MINI Cooper, meanwhile, brings with it the unique MINI charm that has in the past enthralled the likes of Sir Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr and Sir Peter Sellers. Its revolutionized-yet-still-traditional design is sure to attract its fair share of automobile enthusiasts. Though its modest normally aspirated four-cylinder 1.6-liter powerplant also has some 120 horses kicking in, its better power-to-weight ratio (compared to the MINI Clubman, anyway) has it clocking 100 km/h in a respectable 9.1 seconds – with a top speed of (dig this) 203 km/h. Not bad at all, huh?

Performance enthusiasts need not shed tears, however. The fun doesn’t stop with the two previously mentioned models. Sitting comfortably atop the MINI hierarchy in the Philippines is the MINI Cooper S, a turbocharged version with extremely high specific output of more than 100 hp per liter allowing acceleration to 100 km/h in 7.1 seconds and providing a top speed of 225 km/h. The extra power is provided by a twin-scroll turbocharger driven by the separate flow of exhaust gases coming out of two cylinders on each side. Driving both variants allows one to appreciate the difference in performance. Seeing the dissenting needs of customers, meanwhile, made me appreciate just how all the variants seem to satisfy people with varying interests where acquiring the car is concerned.

Willy Tee Ten, president of British United Automobiles, Inc. disclosed during the run that the cars will not make their official debut in the MINI showroom located at Fort Bonifacio in Taguig until January 2010 – but that the MINI Drive Experience was purposely conducted beforehand to drum up the public’s interest as early as today. Judging from the enthusiasm of the group I had accidentally found myself with, it’s mission accomplished for British United Automobiles, Inc.

The MINI Cooper Clubman’ introductory price is P2.15m, the MINI Cooper MT’s is P1.8m, the MINI Cooper AT’s is P1.95m, the MINI Cooper S MT’s is P2.3m and the MINI Cooper AT’s is 2.45m. The MINI Cooper Convertible, although not yet unveiled, will also be offered at P2.45m.

Here’s even better news. We told you not too long ago when we broke the news of MINI’s arrival in the country that you’d get first dibs on everything MINI in these pages. We promise you an exclusive test-drive story soon. Watch out for it.