| Mini Clubman Adds Room, Doesn't Subtract Fun
It's cute as a bug's ear and a lot of fun to drive – even though its base version isn't that powerful. Yet somehow, BMW has managed to make its Mini Clubman not only engaging, but also reasonably practical.
That's quite a balancing act!
The Mini Clubman is a little longer than the garden variety Mini Cooper, with a clamshell-type rear door that opens to both sides, rather than the conventional upward-opening panel you see more often on hatchbacks and wagons. It also features a rear-hinged "suicide door" on the passenger side to help facilitate entry and exit to the surprisingly roomy and comfortable rear seat. more...
Mini Cooper S – "S" is
for "Smile"
It may be called a Mini, but the driving pleasure is nothing
short of Maxi.
This flatulent little road rocket provided the most fun
I’ve had behind the wheel in quite a while, is cute
as a bug’s ear and can actually seat four people in
a pinch – no pun intended.
When BMW brought back the long dead Austin Mini a few years
ago, they weren’t just joining the retro car fad; they
were exhuming an innovative little car that started a revolution
with its transversely-mounted engine and front wheel drive
configuration. Its low weight, low center of gravity and
delightful power to weight ratio made it a favorite at race
tracks and rallies, as well as in the daily commute.
The new Mini takes that revered base and builds it into
a modern car that brings the joy of the old Mini back and
is surprisingly practical if you aren’t hauling sheets
of plywood. more...
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