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Clubman a step up for the wee Mini Cooper

 Mini Washer  The Clubman had a $1,500 sport package that includes a sportsuspension. The car felt like it bottomed out on all the giantpotholes on Milwaukee"s northwest side and the steering wheelturned substantially in some craters.

On smooth pavement, such as highways or asphalt roads, the Clubmanbehaves like a British gentleman. It"s calm and smooth and easyto drive.

The test car was a metallic dark silver ($500 extra) and the Sversion, which means the 1.6-liter turbo I-4 pumps out a sporty 172horses compared with 118 in the non-turbo Mini.

Oddly this one added a Steptronic automatic transmission ($1,250extra), which shifted slowly in normal mode, but was considerablypeppier in Sport mode. Still, the standard six-speed manual is morefun.

Braking also is classy, with four-wheel discs, vented units upfront and solid in the rear.

Mini"s interior remains much the same as it has been, with thebig tachometer on the steering column and a huge speedometermid-dash.

Making matters worse in the test car was the optional dual sunroofsthat have only netting to cover them. This is part of the $1,500premium package that includes a stereo upgrade and automaticclimate control. I"m all for those items, but the sunroofs makethe car too hot in summer and cause too much distracting reflectionin the cockpit.

This one had extremely smooth black leather seats (one of many$1,500 options) that were well shaped but intensely hard.

There"s push-button start and a circular key fob, power mirrorsand automatic lights, a tilt/telescope steering wheel and numeroustoggles for things such as power windows and interior lights andthe sunroof.

Other options include three-speed heated seats, a multifunctionsteering wheel with buttons for the radio and shift paddles thatallow you to shift the automatic manually. There also are powerfolding mirrors, heated mirrors with washer jets, and wiring for aniPod and Bluetooth.

All those options push what starts as a reasonable subcompact at$23,450, up to $33,200. That"s way too much for this, or anyMini. Keep the options in check and this, or the base Mini at$19,500, are good values for fun, sporty small cars.

Gas mileage remains a virtue with the Clubman, which the EPA ratesat 23 mpg city and 32 highway. I got 27.7 mpg while the tripcomputer was estimating 29.8.

Mark Savage welcomes your questions and comments regarding newvehicles at

Savageonwheels@yahoo.com.