The flagship trim of the British-made 2012 MINI Cooper Clubman lineup is the John Cooper Works, hereafter known as the JCW. This compact 3-door hatchback offers, besides its hopped-up turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, 32.8 cubic feet of total cargo space and seating for 4 people. It also offers, of course, that funky London look and an unparalleled driving kick.
Standard exterior features in the top-shelf JCW trim include 17-inch alloy wheels, a duo of side-opening rear cargo doors and power-adjustable mirrors, with leatherette (vinyl) upholstery, remote power door locks and power windows among the standard interior adornments.
A trip computer and telescoping tilt-wheel steering are complemented by a leather steering wheel mounting audio and cruise controls, as well as simulated alloy cabin trim accents. A nifty chilled storage compartment is handled by the standard air conditioning system, while a single-CD player with 6 speakers is backed by satellite radio and auxiliary MP3 input.
Nearly unlimited customization configurations for this bantam-weight Brit are offered by the available MINI Yours conglomeration of stripes, badges, chrome, colors and accents, while available heated front seats and heated outside mirrors can be complemented by an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, Damson leather upholstery and automatic dual-zone climate control. Then, of course, there’s the optional power sunroof and/or an available navigation suite featuring a 6.5-inch display and Bluetooth hands-free calling, as well as a Harman Kardon premium audio system boasting 480 watts and 10 Surround Sound speakers.
The 2012 Clubman JCW’s turbocharged 1.6-liter inline 4-cylinder (I4) engine is mated to a 6-speed manual transmission and puts out 208 hp and 192 lb-ft of torque, while mileage numbers come in at 25 mpg city/33 highway.
Finally, noteworthy standard safety features aboard this flagship Clubman include 4-wheel antilock brakes (ABS), traction and stability control, front and rear head airbags, front side-mounted airbags and a post-collision safety system. Finally, available safety features include rear parking sensors, a remote antitheft alarm, rain-sensing wipers, front fog/driving lights and dynamic traction control (DTC), and they can be found in one or another of the options packages.
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