New Mini JCW Clubman (F54)

2017 Mini JCW Clubman

Following the arrival of MINI's brand new and even larger than life Clubman, the one that doesn't even care even when parked alongside the five-door Mini except it has longer wheelbase and the signature doors at the rear apart from the loss of the previous model's club door from the previous model is gone, nothing says taking winter by storm by giving the Clubman a much hotter John Cooper Works model to spruce things up for the new Clubman.

Like any other John Cooper Works models, the new JCW Clubman is powered by a turbocharged 2.0L petrol engine generating 231PS of power and 320Nm of torque as well as race-derived dynamics but unlike today's JCW Minis, the new JCW Clubman comes with the ALL4 control system, which adapts to the road with the ideal blend of power distribution between the front and rear wheels. With its all-weather capabilities and when mated with either a 6-speed manual or an optional 8-speed Steptronic gearbox, it can get through 0 to 100kph in 6.3 seconds, making this a quick small wagon built to tackle just about anyone who's feeling under the weather.

While this is a quick Clubman full-stop, it still feels as bulky and mild as today's Mini and even when given with a sports suspension, Brembo sports brake system, Servotronic, and any other features fit under its body, it feels very easy to drive on track days but not good enough to squeeze through tight gaps on cities with tight spots that are deemed to difficult to squeeze through and takes a lot of reversing to squeeze it without damaging it.

If you're consider using it as a car fit for your next night out with your mates, it's still the same Clubman trait fit for you and your friends and because the rear space is slightly more than a normal three-door Mini hatchback, you can fit most of your shopping mall hauls while keeping your pals happy before going to the next point of interest after another, as long as they're not bothered by its sport-tuned suspension that gives them the jitters when you get through the bumps.

The JCW Clubman starts at 37,750 Euros and while this slightly too much for a hotter version of the Clubman, it doesn't hurt to have one in your garage if you want to take a break from driving fast cars on the open roads because if you got some social life with your pals, it doesn't hurt having a hot Clubman until one of yours got bothered by its race-inspired dynamics that will mistake you for a go-kart driver by any day.

Photo: Mini