2009 Mini John Cooper Works Clubman

Photographer Brian Vance spent a week in the JCW Clubman and came away with the following impressions: It's very easy to drive in stoplight-to-stoplight, neighborhood traffic, allowing you to stay off full boost most of the time and still have enough power to scoot around aggressively. The torque steer is bad, really bad: I fear for pedestrians' lives when I go down hard on the pedal. The ride is harsh and has tooth-chipping potential over medium to large bumps-drive carefully if you like your teeth the way they are. The unique hinges they developed for the rear barn doors are impressive. In fact, if the doors didn't open as wide as they do, it would be troublesome getting bulky objects into the rear and less desirable to opt for the stretchedMini.