2014 Mini Clubman S - My Test Drive

I got this car for a day and here is the video of my short-drive. You can see the acceleration when changing lanes and passing the cars. The car definitely has the BMW handling and ride. The engine is powerful. I believe it would be much more fun with a 6-speed manual transmission.

 

I bought a 2014 Clubman S with manual transmission about two months ago. I have approx 2000 miles on the odometer so far and I am extremely happy with my purchase. Acceleration and handling rival high end models such as BMW M3 with much bigger motors. I guess this is due to similar horse power to weight ratio. It's a lot of fun to drive and even more fun seeing other drivers faces when being passed at higher speeds. They realize that it is a small car but very powerful.

 

I just have to say it. People drive like that and then complain to their dealer they don't get the gas mileage MINI says they will!

 

2014 will be the last year for this body style. 2015 will be bigger, have four doors but will retain the split back doors. Also, 2015 will have different engines, none will have the 1.6 turbo engine that is currently in the 2014. Mini will go to a 3 cylinder turbo and 4 cylinder turbo for the S models. So if you like it, you should get a 2014, Both of the new engines will have increased HP.

 

+1. There is a number of threads with links to prototypes of the new body style. The major difference IMO is the complete change of body style. No more club door and four doors instead. The change is so drastic that IMO they should retire the Clubman and use another name for the new model.

 

This 1.6L turbocharged engine is very responsive. If you drive it hard, obviously the gas mileage will not be that great but it will still be better than any V6 or V8 with mild driving style. I drove it once before and I easily averaged over 32mpg.

As for the new engines, the base model is 3 cylinder turbocharged and the S model is 2.0L turbocharged.

 

Increased HP and Increased weight

 

The 2015 will be a refresh of the 2014....the 2016 will be entirely different. . . as if it makes any difference, I am not a fan of the ever increasing size of the MINI....of course, I also have a right hand drive Classic....

 

Not quite, there is no 2015 Clubman. R55 Clubman production ended within the last week or so; 2014 model year is the last of this style.
The next "Clubman" will be very similar to the concept one, or so I've heard/read.
The new 5 door Cooper/Cooper S is similar in rear seat space to the current Clubman, at least from pictures and information on the internets so far. Looks like a countryman. Don't like it.

 

I can confirm that. The problem I ran into was that the local dealers here in the SF Bay area all seemed to stock automatic transmissions. I ordered my Mini Clubman S with the manual, 6 speed transmission and could not be happier!

Think the automatic is fun to drive? Try the stick!

Cheers,

David

 

Let Mini work out the bugs with the 2015 hardtop before they release the new 2016 Clubman. If it is a quick as the new hardtop, it may be a winner.