The new MINI Clubman models are not so mini anymore, so they need a lot of power to shift their weight. For some, the 192 horsepower offered by the latest Cooper S engine won't be enough. Luckily, the first tuning program is making its way to the 2015 Essen Motor Show.
Maxi-Tuner has revealed a new power box that can boost the 2.0-liter TwinPower Turbo engine from 192 horsepower to 225 hp. Meanwhile, torque goes up from 280 to 340 Nm. Getting as much power as a Golf GTI for €990 sounds like a bargain.
Boring? Not a problem, the German tuning company will also show a plug-and-play system that takes the F56 MINI John Cooper Works from 231 to 260 PS and 390 Nm.
Still not impressed? How about the €800 exhaust system for the JCW? It's got a nifty pair of 70mm pipes and sounds like the clappers.
Technically, the Countryman is MINI's first compact car. And thanks to its 4.25-meter body, there's enough room for up to 1250 liter of your cluttered stuff.
Even though the Cooper S model, which is currently the most powerful, gets to 100 km/h in 6.8 seconds, some people have complained that it's not fun. That's not what you want to hear about a fashion statement costing upwards of €27,000.
The new Clubman is 4,253 (168.3 in) long, 1,800mm (70.9 in) wide and 1,441mm (56.7 in) tall, with a 2,670mm (105.1 in) wheelbase. That makes it 270mm longer (10.6 in.) and 73mm (2.9 in.) wider than the previous model. Besides offering a big 2-liter engine on the Cooper S model, the Clubman also packs 3-cylinder turbo units and much better diesel engines. These include 150 and 190 PS versions of the 2.0-liter and a smaller 1.5 rated at 116 PS.
When it comes to what the people think of it, the opinions will always be split. Many will like the rear end of the car and the fact that the barn-style doors were kept intact. However, some cannot look past the price and the fact that a Golf Variant or even a Mercedes B-Class has more space for the same money.
Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida. Full profile
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