2012 MINI Cooper Clubman Trims and Specs

Beyond flaunting its quirky looks, handy size and efficient 4-cylinder powerplant, the 4-passenger, 3-door 2012 MINI Cooper Clubman Base compact hatchback is just a hoot to drive. Better yet, some slightly larger proportions over its regular-size Cooper cousins allow for 32.8 cubic feet of total cargo room and rear seats that can fit 2 adults in quasi-comfort.

Outside, this entry-level Clubman boasts 15-inch alloy wheels mounting performance tires, as well as power-adjustable mirrors and a pair of side-opening rear cargo doors. Inside, this British-made hatchback sports leatherette upholstery, height-adjustable front seats, remote power door locks, power windows, and a rear-opening, passenger-side back door that allows easier entry to the second-row seating. Again, a trip computer, cruise control and telescoping tilt-wheel steering come standard in the Base trim, while air conditioning, a cooled storage bin and a leather steering wheel sporting audio and cruise controls are complemented by simulated alloy dashboard and console trim, as well as new-for-2012 front and rear floor mats. Finally, a single-CD player with 6 speakers is bolstered by satellite radio and auxiliary MP3 input.

Options for the 2012 Clubman Base include a veritable cornucopia of MINI Yours exterior and interior customizing selections that includes stripes, badges, colors and upgraded interior trim accents.

Various packages, meantime, include sport seats and steering wheel, upgraded 17-inch wheels, auto climate control, an electronic locking differential with driver-selectable settings, auto climate control, Damson leather upholstery, heated seats and heated outside mirrors. Then there’s an available navigation system that also includes MINI Connect iPhone apps, as well as a 480-watt Harman Kardon premium audio system that flaunts Surround Sound from 10 speakers, a 6.5-inch display and Bluetooth hands-free calling. Lastly, a power sunroof also remains available to the Base trim.

An okay 1.6-liter inline 4-cylinder (I4) engine remains hooked to a standard 6-speed manual transmission to give this pint-size hatchback 121 hp and 114 lb-ft of torque. The stick shift, meantime, can be replaced with an available 6-speed shiftable automatic transmission that carries the same performance numbers, while variable valve timing (VVT) begets 27 mpg city/35 highway with either the stick shift or the automatic.

Notable standard safety features aboard the 2012 Clubman Base 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. Optional safety items include rear parking sensors, a remote antitheft alarm, rain-sensing wipers, dynamic traction control (DTC) and front fog/driving lights, all available in one or another of the numerous options packages.

Boasting a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, the British-made 2012 MINI Cooper Clubman S compact hatchback has the kick to back up its legendary agility. Seating 4 in its respectably quirky profile and configurable with a veritable avalanche of customization choices, this little hatchback also sports a rear passenger-side door that opens backward, allowing easier access to the rear seats.

Distinguishing the Clubman S from its lesser Base sibling is a turbocharged 1.6-liter inline 4-cylinder (I4) engine that puts out 181 hp and 177 lb-ft of torque when mated with the standard 6-speed manual transmission. Variable valve timing (VVT) means mileage figures of 27 mpg city/35 highway in the stick-shift-equipped S, while an available 6-speed shiftable automatic transmission flaunts the same performance numbers, but drops mileage marginally to 26/34.

Look for 16-inch alloy wheels mounting run-flat tires to come standard on the 2012 Clubman S, along with a pair of side-opening rear cargo doors, remote power door locks, power-adjustable outside mirrors and leatherette (vinyl) upholstery. Standard power windows are complemented by a trip computer, cruise control and telescoping tilt-wheel steering, while the leather steering wheel is backed by simulated alloy dashboard and console trim pieces. The cooled storage bin for drinks is a nice touch, while air conditioning, as well as newly minted front and rear floor mats also come delivered with this pint-size midlevel hatchback. Finally, a single-CD player boasts 6 speakers, satellite radio and auxiliary MP3 input.

Customization options for the 2012 Clubman S include the MINI Yours cornucopia of colors, stripes, badges and accents, along with upgraded wheels and Damson leather upholstery.

A number of available packages offer sport seats and steering wheel, heated seats and outside mirrors, automatic dual-zone climate control, upgraded wheels and an electronic locking rear differential. An available navigation package with 6.5-inch display and the touted MINI Connected iPhone apps are bolstered by Bluetooth hands-free calling, while a 480-watt Harman Kardon premium audio system that flaunts 10 speakers and Surround Sound is also optional. A power sunroof, finally, remains a standalone extra.

Safety-wise, the 2012 Clubman S boasts standard 4-wheel antilock brakes (ABS), traction and stability control, front and rear head airbags, front side-mounted airbags and a post-collision safety system. Optional safety equipment, meantime, such as dynamic traction control (DTC), rear parking sensors, rain-sensing wipers, front fog/driving lights and a remote antitheft alarm are available in several of the previously mentioned packages.

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.