Photo: MINI
MINI skipped Geneva, but has a couple of interesting new cars for the 2016 New York Auto Show. One of them is the Clubman ALL4, revealed in January as the first-ever all-wheel-drive version of the Clubman model. The other is the John Cooper Works Convertible, the roofless brother of the 228-hp rocket we know and love.
We'll start with the ALL4 Clubman, as it's useful and should sell well. The all-wheel-drive system should be shared with the new Countryman when it arrives. But there's no reason to turn your nose at the little wagon, especially when it's a fully fledged compact car.
Two flavors of the AWD model are available. The basic one is the Cooper, equipped with a 1.5-liter turbo engine packing 134-hp. It will set you back from $26,750 with a stick. From $30,300, you can have the Cooper S Clubman ALL4. It's packing a 2.0-liter turbo with 189-hp and can be matched to an eight-speed automatic with paddle shifters and launch control, in which case it will hit 60 mph in 6.6 seconds (6.7 with a manual). Prices start at $30,300, so it's not exactly cheap.
It's worth noting that you can buy an Audi Q3 with a 2.0 turbo, AWD and a six-speed Tiptronic automatic for $35,800. The GLA 250 4Matic is even cheaper at $35,425. If none of those tickle your fan fancy, at least consider the $34,800 BMW X1 xDrive28i that's underpinned by the same engine as the MINI, has a lot more power and a larger cabin.
As for the JCW Convertible, it's got the latest BMW Group engine, a 2.0-liter making 228 hp. The second John Cooper Works model of the latest generation combines engine and suspension technology optimized for use on the race track with the quirkiness we know and love.
There's no simple way to explain the charm of such a car. But the initial reviews of the third-generation convertible suggest it's just as fun as the coupe. Combine that with the power of a Golf GTI and the customization options of a Citroen DS3 and you have a unique vehicle in the automotive industry.
Two flavors of the AWD model are available. The basic one is the Cooper, equipped with a 1.5-liter turbo engine packing 134-hp. It will set you back from $26,750 with a stick. From $30,300, you can have the Cooper S Clubman ALL4. It's packing a 2.0-liter turbo with 189-hp and can be matched to an eight-speed automatic with paddle shifters and launch control, in which case it will hit 60 mph in 6.6 seconds (6.7 with a manual). Prices start at $30,300, so it's not exactly cheap.
It's worth noting that you can buy an Audi Q3 with a 2.0 turbo, AWD and a six-speed Tiptronic automatic for $35,800. The GLA 250 4Matic is even cheaper at $35,425. If none of those tickle your fan fancy, at least consider the $34,800 BMW X1 xDrive28i that's underpinned by the same engine as the MINI, has a lot more power and a larger cabin.
As for the JCW Convertible, it's got the latest BMW Group engine, a 2.0-liter making 228 hp. The second John Cooper Works model of the latest generation combines engine and suspension technology optimized for use on the race track with the quirkiness we know and love.
There's no simple way to explain the charm of such a car. But the initial reviews of the third-generation convertible suggest it's just as fun as the coupe. Combine that with the power of a Golf GTI and the customization options of a Citroen DS3 and you have a unique vehicle in the automotive industry.
Google News