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It’s a Mini and it’s different

Thursday, 08 May 2008

The Mini was hugely popular in the sixties when it was regarded as British as the Royal family.
The Beatles loved it and the iconic car featured in their film Magical Mystery Tour.
Now in the hands of BMW the motor is a worldwide brand after it was saved and revamped a few times by the famous German manufacturer.
Like many British-made products the Mini also proved attractive to Irish drivers, especially for affluent females.
It’s over 30 years since I drove a Mini. Now after all those years I get to test the Clubman Cooper S, which is an estate version of the Mini. I took a trip to the Punchestown National Hunt Festival where the Clubman attracted some envious glances from both male and female racegoers. I had felt in the mood for racing all the way down as the radio markings on the massive speedometer reminded me of the finishing post at a racetrack.

The dash, with all those strange-looking switches resembled the cockpit of an aeroplane, but eventually I did figure out what each switch was for including the one for the sun roof. The radio controls were probably a bit too plasticky but they worked as did the slave controls on the steering wheel. You also get extras like Halogen lights and a side sun-visor on the driver’s right side. And you get a lovely soft mobile phone type sound if you forget to fasten your seatbelt.
One of the novelties of the Clubman is the mini or club door on the driver’s side. It only opens when the driver’s door is open, but even then there is very little space to squeeze in and you have to be careful not to trip over the seatbelt. When you do manage to get into the back there is just about enough space for three children or two not very tall adults. In left hand drive cars the club door is situated on the safer passenger’s side.
Another novelty is at the rear where you have two cute-looking doors which give access to a small boot. There is no spare wheel (just a repair kit), so you get as much space as possible for loading shopping or heavier items if you want to leave down the back seat. I suppose bags from top stores like Brown Thomas or Harvey Nichols would look better in the boot rather than those from your local supermarket.
However, the doors, which have their own individual wiper, do cause a bit of problem when viewed through the mirror. When reversing it looks like you are looking at a flat-screen television screen with a bar down the middle.
The turbo-charged 1.6 was powerful and it certainly could move when asked. Obviously as you are seated fairly close to the road you don’t have the comforts associated with saloon cars.
When stopped in traffic the engine cuts out to save petrol, unless you keep your foot on the clutch. It may save fuel when in heavy traffic, but surely all that starting cannot be good for the longevity of the starter motor.
Externally the car looks cute and whether you are a teenager or a hippie from the sixties you should find it attractive. Prices for the Clubman start at e27,150, while the Cooper S I drove costs e32,400. Expensive yes, but then it’s a Mini and it’s different.

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