Posted on : June 20, 2008
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Mini Cooper L Clubman
Essentially an extended version of the diminutive Mini Cooper coupe,
the new Clubman adds a rear-seat-access door and a two piece tailgate
in a token nod to practicality.
The wagon esque Clubman is 9.4 inches longer than the standard
Cooper and rides on a wheel base that's streched by 3.2 inches. Getting
in and out of the roomier back seat is made easier via a rear-hinged
"club door" access panel on the passenger side. A 6I% larger cargo hold
and a folding back seat can accommodate bulky gear. Access to the cargo
area is made easier by a pair of doors, the design of which is modeled
after those on classic Mini models from the I960s.
Otherwise, it retains all the Mini Cooper's sporty goodness,
including its funky-retro styling. A peppy II8-horsepower, I.6-liter
four-cylinder engine remains the standard power plant, with a stronger
I72-horsepower turbocharged version coming in the Clubman S.
* MSRP $20,600; miniusa.com
* Smart For Two
The first modern "microcar" sold in the United States, the two-seat,
egg-shaped Smart For Two embodies urban stylishness in an economical
package. It's offered either as a coupe with a transparent plastic roof
panel or as a convertible with a power-operated fabric top that can
fold open either fully or partially like a sunroof.
At a mere I06.I inches long, two ForTwos can easily fit in an
average parking space, which makes it well-suited for those living in
congested metropolitan areas. With a rear-mounted I.o-liter
threecylinder Mitsubishi-supplied engine delivering only 70 horsepower,
don't expect to win many midnight drag races with it. Still, it's one
of the more efficient rides on the road at an estimated city/highway
33/41 mpg.
The For Two's handling is reasonably nimble with a tight turning
radius. A cleverly designed cabin seems far roomier than its exterior
dimensions would suggest, with plenty of leg room for 6-footers.
* MSRP S11, 590; smartusa.com
