BMW has turned the modern MINI into quite a franchise, with the previous generation comprising eight distinct body styles in total.
The current-generation MINI lineup is heading in that direction as well.
It already includes a three-door hatchback and MINI's first five-door hatch, and now it's about to get a new addition.
DON'T MISS: 2015 MINI Cooper S Hardtop 4-Door: Gas Mileage Review
The 2016 MINI Cooper Clubman continues the wagon body style from the last generation, but grows in size like the other new MINI models.
This new Clubman ditches the old model single rear second half-door on one side for four conventional doors, but retains its van-like vertical-split tailgate--known to aficionados as "church doors."
To make room for those extra full-size side doors, the Clubman is almost 11 inches longer than the outgoing version, and about 3 inches wider.
2016 MINI Clubman
Under the hood, the Clubman features the same engine options as the three-door and five-door MINI hatchbacks.
That means the base Cooper Clubman gets a 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine that sends 134 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque (169 lb-ft with the overboost function) to the front wheels.
ALSO SEE: 2014 MINI Cooper: Gas Mileage Review With 3-Cyl Engine + Manual (Sep 2014)
The Cooper S Clubman employs a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, with 189 hp and 209 lb-ft pound-feet of torque (221 lb-ft with overboost).
A six-speed manual transmission is standard in all Clubman models. The Cooper Clubman gets an optional six-speed automatic, while the Cooper S gets a MINI-first eight-speed automatic.
Automatic-transmission models also get an engine start-stop system, and all models get the Minimalism suite of efficiency-related features--including regenerative braking, active cooling flaps, and efficiency-focused software maps for the fuel, coolant, and oil pumps.
2016 MINI Clubman
It did say that--with either transmission--the Cooper Clubman will do 0 to 60 mph in 8.9 seconds and reach a top speed of 127 mph.
MORE: 2014 MINI Cooper Automatic: Quick Drive (Jun 2014)
The more powerful Cooper S Clubman cuts the 0 to 60 mph time to 6.9 seconds with the automatic (the manual takes 7.0 seconds), and tops out at 142 mph.
The 2016 MINI Clubman will go on sale in the U.S. in January, following a public debut at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show in September.
_______________________________________________
