This is the John Cooper Works Mini Clubman

We love a fast estate at TG, and here’s another for you to feast your eyes on. The Mini Clubman has been given more mojo, not to mention more stripes. As you might’ve guessed solely by the picture, this is the John Cooper Works Clubman, revealed here ahead of its Paris Motor Show premiere.

Under that striped bonnet, you’ll find a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol that kicks out 231bhp (up 39bhp from the Cooper S), meaning it’ll hit 60mph in 6.3 seconds. A claimed 31.8mpg from the standard six-speed manual isn’t fantastic, and the optional eight-speed auto only marginally increases fuel economy. Go manual though; Mini ‘boxes are always epic.

As with other models, it also gets firmer suspension and better brakes (adaptive damping is an option), along with plenty of customisation options to blow quite substantial chunks of cash on, so you won’t have to have the Club JCW in the Christmassy red-on-green spec we have here. 18s are standard, but to make your JCW even more uncomfortable, some rather nice 19s are available. Inside, you can choose a variety of illuminated ‘Mini Yours Interieur’ options, for that authentic Blackpool illuminations feel. 

Mini has thrown the catalogue at the Clubman, so it comes with a hefty equipment list. Brembo brakes, Dynamic Stability Control and a sports exhaust are all standard, as are collision warnings, city braking, cruise control, Park Distance Control and all of the other acronymised driver assistance you’ll find on the standard Clubman. It also comes with a driving modes toggle and a race-inspired speedo, too.

Prices start at £29,345 for the manual version, rising to £30,945 for the one with the auto 'box.

Words: Ben Custard