Articles: Mini Clubman JCW – The Full Works – 224

August 4th, 2010 by NZ Classic Car

We recently took the opportunity to spend a day checking out the new John Cooper Works MINI Clubman thanks to the good folk at MINI New Zealand

I was trying to remember the last time I had driven a Mini, I couldn’t. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not that I don’t like Minis, it’s more a case of lost opportunity over the past 37 years of driving. Nonetheless, I was looking forward to getting in behind the wheel of a new Clubman as I had spent a fair bit of time with Mini lovers from all over the North Island while gathering information for our special Mini 50th anniversary issue. Plainly, their enthusiasm for the marque had definitely rubbed off on me.

As I was ushered out into the BMW (NZ) parking by Michael Grieve, it was clearly obvious which car I was getting for the day by the Clubman’s JCWORX number plate. Michael explained how enjoyable this car was to drive and, after a few moments spent showing me the finer details, I headed off to try it for myself.

Giant Leap

So many things go through one’s mind when driving a completely unfamiliar car for the first time. You are never too sure what to do first — adjust the stereo to your favourite station, look for the air conditioning controls, have quick look around to see how many people are staring at you or just give it an almighty squirt to see how fast it goes. I found myself reluctantly thinking that this is one seriously cool vehicle — I tried not to, but I couldn’t help myself. After all, I’m a muscle car man — how could I possibly think this way? However, I’m going to tell you here and now; the Clubman worked it’s magic on me. After all, how can 1.5 million people be wrong since 2001 — one small step for BMW, one giant leap for the Mini.

An estimated 25,000 passionate owners globally have joined in the recent 50th birthday party celebrations, testament to the phenomenon of the Mini’s worldwide award winning reputation and the car is now sold in 80 countries.

It’s little doubt that BMW have backed a winner, investing over a billion pounds into the Mini since 2000, employing over 7000 people. It’s abundantly clear that even with the current global economic climate, this resilient symbol of British design and engineering retains loyal customer appeal as can be seen by strengthening order books in recent months.

It actually didn’t take me long to realise why so many people were so passionate about this brand. Sure, I was driving the John Cooper Works (JCW) MINI Clubman, the latest addition to the MINI line up, which focuses more on sporting performance, but there was never any doubt as to what I was driving — a MINI with real attitude, and a car that reflects the tradition of the original Cooper modified Mini. And I was enjoying every moment of the experience.

Serious Kit

The JCW Clubman is a fairly serious piece of kit — for a start, the 155kW (207bhp) four-cylinder engine with its twin scroll turbocharger and direct fuel injection was a pure delight; offering rapid acceleration even in the taller gears, which surprised me. A firm grip on the leather bound, three-spoke sports tiller was required occasionally, as some noticeable torque steer could be felt — especially when accelerating out of tight bends. The six-speed gearbox felt nicely balanced and easy to use, although a gear indicator light of some description would have been handy.

Then I discovered the ‘Sport’ button and, of course, pushed it to see what would happen — once activated, the car took on a completely new feel. Not only did the throttle response feel more positive but the ride instantly became firmer. The MINI’s sports suspension, with it’s lowered ride height, taking handling to another level. I felt as if I was in a go-kart as a result of the car’s low centre of gravity. Stopping the JCW Clubman was never an issue, as rather large, fixed aluminium caliper sports brakes — startlingly finished in red, with the John Cooper Works logo’s up front — brought proceedings to a halt with significant ease.

I was getting more and more used to this car with every passing hour. The interior was not only extremely accommodating for someone who is over six foot tall, but looked the part with its array of toggle switches and art deco-style dash components. These were not only stylish but incredibly easy to access and use. Seating, whilst firm, was comfortable with plenty of adjustment and it was easy to find a good driving position that offered all the necessary support for those club track days.

After a great day of MINI driving, I have to say that the JCW Clubman gave me a whole new perspective on smaller cars — what they are capable of, their style, and, more importantly, how good they make you feel. My smile at the end of the day was proof positive that the new MINI still has soul.

John Cooper Works MINI Clubman – Specifications

Engine 1598cc/straight four cylinders
Bore/Stroke 77mmx85.8mm
CR 10.0:1
Power 155KW (207bhp) @ 6000rpm
Torque 260Nm @ 2000rpm
Transmission six-speed manual
Suspension Front — single joint McPherson strut Rear — longitudinal arms with centrally guided track arms, Z axle
Brakes vented discs front, discs rear, ABS, EBD, CBC, DSC, traction control
Wheels/Tyres 17-inch light alloy/205/45R17