MINI Malaysia has released a new video on its YouTube channel, titled “Hit Chaser” – it follows the story of John O, the lead singer of local sensation Paperplane Pursuit, as the band went on to become a Billboard-charting act.
Although a remarkable story, the video doesn’t exactly hold anything significant to us petrolheads. However, the film ends with “Presented by the new MINI Clubman,” which is a definite hint that the F54 generation of the MINI wagon will be making its way onto Malaysian shores soon.
Unveiled to the world in June last year, the new MINI Clubman ditches the outgoing R55‘s suicide doors on the right side, replacing them with regular-opening rear doors on both sides. This effectively makes the F54 Clubman a six-door vehicle, if you count the rear barn doors as separate items.
The new Clubman is larger and wider than its predecessor, measuring 4,253 mm long and 1,800 mm wide (R55, 3,945 mm long and 1,683 mm wide). It’s also 1,441 mm tall, with a 2,670 mm wheelbase.
Engine options largely mirror that of the F55/F56 hatches, with the Cooper’s 136 hp/220 Nm 1.5 litre three-cylinder and the Cooper S’ 192 hp/280 Nm 2.0 litre four-cylinder MINI TwinPower Turbo petrols remaining unchanged. The MINI One Clubman gets a detuned version of the three-pot, producing 102 hp and 180 Nm.
An Aisin-sourced eight-speed Steptronic automatic transmission, a first for the MINI brand, should be standard-fit on the Cooper S over here – the transverse gearbox the same one fitted to the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer and Gran Tourer, as well as the new BMW X1. Three-cylinder models get the same six-speed auto as on other MINIs.
Standard safety kit includes front, side and side curtain airbags, Isofix mounts and the usual raft of electronic safety programmes. Available driver assist systems include MINI Head-Up-Display, Parking Assistant, rear view camera and Driving Assistant including camera-based active cruise control, collision and pedestrian warning with initial brake function, high beam assistant and road sign detection.
Other options includes LED headlamps with daytime running lights, LED tail lights, dual-zone climate control, an electrically-operated panorama glass roof, non-contact opening of the split doors (easy opener) as well as an alarm system that includes a red LED status light integrated in the fin antenna.
Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.
