Welcome to the MINI club, man!
MANILA, Philippines - The iconic MINI Cooper is, truth be told, a picture of dichotomy that escapes an easy definition.
We’ve seen the MINI immortalized onscreen via movies such as the Italian Job and even Mr. Bean’s so many adventures. It is sexy and funny; think George Clooney as compared to one-dimensional thespians.
Consider the statement of British United Automobiles president Willy Tee Ten, at the helm of the exclusive local distribution of the legendary MINI brand, that he drives the MINI Cooper Clubman to the golf course. He said he can fit two golf club bags there, plus other sundries.
That’s another mystery that adds to the mystique. How could such a petite-looking car have so much space? Having previously tested the jackrabbit-quick MINI Cooper S, I was also amazed at the relative spaciousness of the vehicle.
To be fair though, today’s iteration of the MINI is larger than its predecessors. But to expect SUV space would be to betray its very name, right? Still, don’t expect claustrophobia-inducing interiors. In fact, the flowing lines, recurring oval/circular styling, and comfortable seats make you wonder to yourself if it is the same car you boarded.
Those with an inclination to make the MINI Cooper a, gasp, domesticated workhorse might actually consider the Clubman.
Why so? Well, there may still not be SUV-class space, but the accessibility can put other SUV configurations to shame.
Should you decide to take the Clubman out to do the groceries and some insane mall-wide sale (in addition to the aforementioned golf course), have no fear. The addition of the small “club door” on the right hand side, and a split door at the rear will give the ease of access you’re looking for. The rear seats collapse easily so you could get all that stuff in.
And you don’t have to worry about the MINI crawling home as in a horror story I heard about a small vehicle that couldn’t climb out of a basement parking ramp. The other passengers had to disembark and sheepishly walk up the said ramp “Cadillac-ad.”
Like its brethren, the Clubman is equipped with an engine that’s downright criminal for its size. A 1.6-liter heart supplies 128 horses and 160 Nm of torque. Small and swift, you get from zero to 100 kilometers per hour in 10 seconds (the Cooper S in Sport Mode does the feat in seven). Believe me, those mean-looking sports sedan owners wouldn’t know what sped by them. MINI documents, if you must know, claim a top speed of 201 for the Clubman. Speaking of which, the MINI feels infinitely stable even when you’re hurtling at high speed on the expressway – something you can’t say for all cars, let alone small ones.
As for fuel consumption, MINI data rounds it to about 18 kilometers to the liter. That again debunks the misconception that larger-displacement engines consume more. Remember, 1.6 liters of engine power isn’t, well, mini.
The Clubman will set you back P2.15 million – no small change, but you get infinitely more in return.
A caveat: don’t drive the MINI if you don’t like attention, for there will be craned necks and double takes all around. That means you have to look decent while you’re driving it. Oh, the pressure.
Then again, you’re too busy having fun with the go-kart experience and handling of the MINI to notice the drooling all around you.
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MINI Global City is located at the corner of 5th Ave. and 26th Sts., Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. Visit www.MINI.com.ph for more details. Call 856-75-55.
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