The niche-busting Mini Clubman has received a mid-life refresh for the Euro market as you may have come to expect from parent-company BMW, the revisions are more than just skin deep. But the question remains, will it ever see the light of day on Malaysian shores?

Premiering with the new Mini Cooper S Clubman ALL4 is electrohydraulic all-wheel drive system. Other features of the new system include a bevel-gear for a ‘power-take-off’ on the front-axles (proper 4x4 stuff), a dual-section propeller shaft transmitting power to the rear wheels and a ‘Hang-On’ multidisc clutch in the rear axle differential.

Drive torque is distributed to all four wheels through ALL4’s control module which interfaces with the cars Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) – in short, the system is claimed to combine the fun driving sensation; characteristic of Minis with adept traction for most road and weather conditions. Whether it’s required for local driving conditions is debateable – but we’ll give the ALL 4 the benefit of the doubt.

There are a total of eight engine choices but the variant that seemingly viable for our shores is the Mini Cooper S Clubman ALL4 with a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder petrol engine; producing 192bhp at 5000rpm and 280Nm at 1250rpm, coupled to an eight-speed Steptronic transmission.

BMW claims a 6.9s 0-100kph split time all the way to a 225kph top speed. Economy numbers read 6.4 – 6.3 litres/100 kilometres, CO2 emissions of 149 – 146 g/km conforming to EU6 exhaust emission standards.

The Steptronic transmission is modulated by shift paddles on the steering wheel and features a’ Launch Control’ function for enhanced acceleration from a standing start. As seen on the current gen-Minis, auto start/stop function should be featured as standard and a ‘Green’ driving mode which includes the ‘coasting’ function that decouples the drivetrain in to safe fuel; in addition to the other driving modes.

The biggest Mini will build on the traditional ‘shooting brake’ concept. The somewhat peculiar yet distinctive body design with a super-stretched silhouette, pronounced shoulder contours and the long sloping rear roofline. Aero-credentials are further improved with ‘Air Curtains’ in the front apron and ‘Air Breathers’ just aft of the front-wheel arches.

Homage to the original car is exemplified by side opening spilt doors in the rear; albeit sporting four passenger doors now. Five full-fledged seats with the rear backrests that sport 40:20:40 split folding capability endows the new car with 365-litres of stowage space as standard and 1250-litres when folded. Digital Blue metallic is a new addition to the range of paint schemes.

Our most intelligent guess is, that the Mini Cooper S ALL4 could far outweigh the BMW X1’s price-range; of which it shares oily bits with at RM279,800 and slot-in just above the current Paceman Cooper S offering. So perhaps a price-tag at circa RM350,000 could follow. ARVIND KUMAR