Mini estate fills many roles

Dec 15 2008 Peter Hayward

WITH a claimed average of more than 60 miles per gallon and performance worthy of the name, MINI's Cooper Clubman diesel is a car that is all things to all men.

Acceleration is brilliant both away from rest - after a slight hesitation - and in the gears when getting up to speed or overtaking.

The 1.6 turbo engine borrowed from Peugeot is smooth and quiet even when it's cold and will happily pull around corners in third gear - very rare for any diesel.

The ride is good - if unsettled over rougher surfaces at times, which was a little disappointing - and the handling is up there with the very best hot hatches.

It clings to the road like a leech and the amount of grip sometimes seems to defy belief. The steering is perfectly weighted both at slow speeds and out on the open road and all the controls are light and easy.

Interior

It's a small estate with twin rear doors like the original Mini Traveller, which does affect rearward vision.

Rear legroom is small, the boot is not that big and the extra rear door to help access into the back is useless for this country because it only comes on the driver's side and opens frontwards.

FAST FACTS

MINI Clubman Cooper D

Price : £15,085

Mechanical : 110bhp, 1,560cc, 4cyl diesel engine driving front wheels via 6spd manual gearbox

Max speed : 120mph

0-62mph : 10.4 secs

Combined mpg : 68.9

Insurance group : 8

CO2 emissions : 109g/km

BiK rating : 18%

Warranty : 3yrs/ 60,000 miles, 6yrs anti-rust

Marks : 9/10

Main rival : Renault Clio Estate