When we tested the MINI three-door hatchback in John Cooper Works flavor, it left us impressed with how special the little go-faster machine feels from behind the wheel. Now, however, the British brand managed to squeeze a bit more torque from the 2.0-liter turbo engine for the 2017 MINI John Cooper Works Clubman.
The Clubman, as I’m sure you know, is a six-door model that blends the trademark MINI spirit with the practicality of a station wagon. It is a very trendy family car, but then again, even family cars can use a bump in output. Hence, the JCW variant of the Clubman sees the 2.0-liter mill tuned to produce 228 horsepower (231 PS) and 258 lb-ft (350 Nm). The quoted torque is at hand between 1,450 and 4,500 revolutions per minute.
For the purist customer, there’s a six-speed manual transmission available. For those who would rather have something more effortless, the optional eight-speed Steptronic sports-tuned automatic transmission is tailored for them. Regardless of the cog-swapping solution, the ALL4 AWD system is there to keep things in check. And to ensure a quick sprint off the line, the MINI JCW Clubman features a Launch Control function. Yawn, I know, right?
If the driver engages Launch Control and lets the automatic tranny do its thing, the JCW Clubman is able to accelerate to 60 mph (96 km/h) in six seconds. Before entering the corner, Brembo brake calipers and discs help shrug off the velocity.
On the suspension front, customers can either have the standard sports suspension or Dynamic Damper Control. Whichever is to your liking, the 2017 MINI JCW Clubman sits 0.4 inches lower to the ground, thus giving the car a lower center of gravity for better handling.
Slated to go on sale in December 2016 at MINI dealers across the United States of America, pricing for the MINI John Cooper Works Clubman is not available at the time of writing. However, it won’t be a cheap affair. For reference, the Cooper Clubman starts from $27,650.
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
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