Mini Cooper D Clubman

Road Test

Your Say

Test date Wednesday, October 31, 2007 Price as tested £15,750

For Interior quality, involving handling, outstanding emissions

AgainstOdd looks, gimmicky side and rear doors, overly firm ride

The history of Mini since BMW bought the marque has been one of the greatest automotive success stories of the modern era. BMW produced a thoroughly modern, distinctive and desirable car, but now Mini is established BMW feels it is time to broaden the brand’s appeal.

The answer is the Clubman. And yes, that name is an anomaly; BMW doesn’t have the rights to use the name of the original Traveller estate.

But the lack of the Traveller name can't have dented BMW's confidence much, or it wouldn't have taken on a project as potentially fraught with difficulty as turning the fashion accessory that is the Mini into a practical wagon. Think Scarlett Johansson with a pinny and marigolds and you’ll see the problem.

Unless the balance is perfect you’re either going to destroy a large chunk of the appeal that makes people want Minis in the first place, or you’re going to build one of the world’s worst family cars. Possibly both.

Looks are entirely in the eye of the beholder, and on this score we feel no better qualified to judge than anyone else. But for what it’s worth, our view is that it sits on the odd side of quirky – a shape with a great deal of initial interest but, once the novelty of its innovative design has subsided, not one that’s likely to be remembered as one of the greats.

Unsurprisingly, the cost of its extra doors and elongated wheelbase is reflected in the price: the basic Cooper D Clubman retails at £15,400, or £1210 more than the standard car. Nice business if you can get it.