Mini extended

Portomaso Café was transformed last Friday for the Malta launch of the Mini Clubman, a new addition to the Mini brand family. Apart from entertainment by Ivan Grech of Winter Moods, the location enabled two models to be unveiled simultaneously.

The Clubman, on display at the Muscats Motors showroom in Rue d'Argens, Msida, features the shooting brake concept, highlighting both the car's sportiness and its functional qualities through its stretched roofline, aiming to provide a driving experience typical of the brand.

It is an up-to-date rendition of the historical roots inherent in the brand, with styling references to the Morris Mini Traveller, the Austin Mini Countryman, and the Mini Clubman Estate in the 1960s.

Among the highlights of the model are a five-seat hatchback with two doors opening to the side (split-door design), a third passenger door that opens on the driver's side and a body length extended versus the "regular" Mini by 240mm. Wheelbase and legroom at the rear up by 80mm, the luggage compartment has a capacity of 260-930 litres and the rear seat backrest can also tilt down.

All engine variants feature a wide range of improvements to optimise fuel economy and emission management: Auto Start-Stop, Brake Energy Regeneration and gearshift point indicator. Other features are brakes with anti-lock system (ABS), electronic brake force distribution (EBD), Cornering Brake Control (CBC) and Brake Assistant; Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) with hill start-up assistance standard on all models; and limited-slip differential as an option on the Mini Cooper S Clubman.

The passenger cell has been crash-optimised; six airbags are standard; and there are three-point inertia-reel seat belts on all seats; belt latch tensioners and belt force limiters at the front; belt warner; and ISOFIX child seat fastening system.

The Mini Cooper Clubman, which costs Lm14,500, comes with Dynamic Stability Control, mirror caps in body colour, chrome plated door handles, alloy wheels, sun protection glazing, leather steering wheel with a two-spoke design, alarm, exterior mirror package (electrically foldable and heated, including heated windscreen washer jets), chrome line exterior, warning triangle and first aid kit, fain sensor and automatic driving lights, air-conditioning, car jack and wheel brace, front passenger airbag deactivation, radio mini boost CD and preparation for a CD changer.