SALT LAKE CITY — The Mini brand has its roots with the British Motor Company in the '50s.

A collaboration with the Cooper Car Company in the 60's resulted in the Cooper and Cooper S models being introduced in 1961 and 1963. Many may not be aware that the Cooper models have a racing heritage, including success at Monte Carlo throughout the '60s.

A prominent role in the 1967 British film "The Italian Job" introduced the Mini Cooper to the world. Mini is the best-selling British car brand of all time. BMW purchased Mini and Range Rover in the late 1990s. The German manufacturer moved on from Rover, but brought back the Mini Cooper models beginning in 2000.

Today, the Mini line is still manufactured in Oxford, England, but with German-made BMW engines. For 2017, the six-door Cooper Clubman S is Mini’s largest model and sits on a platform shared with BMW’s X1 crossover.

Mini models have long been featured in film, usually driving in places normal-sized cars cannot follow. My first thought as I drove away from Mini of Murray was that there had to be sidewalks somewhere begging to be driven on.

Sales manager Juan Coles further inspired my imagination by pointing out that all-wheel drive is new for 2017, something he’s confident will allow Mini to better compete with brands such as Subaru and Volvo for the wagon and small crossover customer. Mini calls the new all-wheel drive system All 4.

As badly as I wanted to, and despite the photos, I did not drive the Clubman down the stairs at Vivint Smart Home Arena. I only drove briefly on the sidewalk, I promise.

Overall Grade: B+

Exterior styling

At a glance, the Clubman appears to be a hatchback. In fact, there are two rear doors, both opening outward. It’s a unique configuration, including a separate small wiper for each rear window. At the push of a button on the inside of each rear-door handle, the doors spring open.

This makes the four-door Clubman, in fact, a six-door model. The split window-look from the rear is symbolic of a bygone era. The distinctive lines of the Mini carry forward with a long, flat roofline that resembles a small station wagon more than a typical hatchback.

Chrome door handles and prominent fenders stand out when looking at the Mini from the side. Mini front-ends have long been distinctive with a prominent grill and enormous oval headlights that seem Porsche-like in the way they fall back along the front fenders.

The S badge is prominent on the grill of this model and the Mini winged emblem is front and center. Racing stripes straddle the hood vent, although the black stripes were subtle against this particular Pure Burgundy Metallic paint.

Mini’s distinct styling sets it apart from competitors and lends itself to the car’s reputation for fun and spirited driving. On this demo model, the 17-inch wheels were blacked out and fit the color scheme well.

Interior styling

The fun factor carries over inside as the front seats, covered in black leatherette, are sporty and supportive. The seats are manual adjusted only on this car, as the optional tech package is missing.

The front dash on Mini models has long been dominated by a large circular speedometer found in the center of the dash. In recent years, the speedo has been moved to a more traditional location behind the steering wheel. Now, in the center of the dash sits the driver control center and media controls.

Mini uses a driver infotainment system similar to that found in big brother Bimmers. The round controller, and shortcut buttons, for the system is on the center console and the large center screen contains menus, media, navigation and other functions. It is ringed by a color-changing outer trim that fits the mood of Mini perfectly.

The ambient lighting continues after dark inside the door handles, door trim panels and the floor. The colors can be changed using one of several toggle switches above the rearview mirror. This particular S model had a panoramic full roof panel and moonroof up front. The roof is controlled from the same set of toggle switches.

One nice feature of the moonroof is that the interior screen that would normally block out the heat of the sun during the day is actually vented and flexible. Opening the roof in the heat of the day while closing the screen meant that the heat of the sun was blocked while still allowing air flow to the cabin.

Another set of toggle switches below the dual climate controls included traction control and the engine start-stop switch. The toggle switches are a retro touch, in an otherwise modern looking car. The leather-wrapped steering wheel is both attractive, with contrasting red stitching, and firm and sporty.

As you enter the car at night, the Mini emblem greets you, lit up on the pavement below the driver’s side door. The back seat is roomy enough for adults. Visibility out the small rear windows is compromised by three rear headrests and the split rear windows.

Technology

In recent years Mini has tried to balance technology and amenities with price. Mini buyers tend to be younger than those at BMW, but Mini has access to much of the technology offered at BMW dealers. This particular Clubman S mixed performance options and all-wheel drive with a lack of the most expensive technology options.

The combination worked well. I missed not having a rear backup camera and blind-side warnings at first, but visibility is quite good while driving — the view straight out the back windows being the exception — and is combined with large outside mirrors.

The sporty seats added to the driving enjoyment, but were only manually adjustable and obviously lacked memory. Unless multiple people are driving the same car regularly, though, that is only a minor issue.

The car contained Mini’s intuitive Connected system but lacked navigation. Mini Connect is Go-Pro ready — your camera can be controlled from the car’s settings — but not Apple CarPlay or Android Auto capable.

The optional 410-watt, twelve-speaker Harman-Kardon sound system was a good one but lacked a CD player. USB ports do allow for steering wheel control of digital music.

The new all-wheel drive system, All 4, combines front-wheel drive with the ability to bring power to the rear wheels as needed. The head up display can be turned off, but adds to the mix of retro and modern features while driving.

The optional technology package that would have brought a backup camera, park assist and navigation costs $1,750.

Performance and handling

Mini’s reputation has been built on handling. The combination of Mini design and BMW underpinnings meant that Little Cottonwood Canyon provided no obstacle for the Clubman on a drive to Alta and back. The low center of gravity and Sport mode engine and suspension settings made corners disappear as quickly as they appeared.

The two-liter engine uses the same TwinPower Turbo found on BMW models. The dual scroll, single-turbo setup means that turbo lag is minimized and power is on demand. The 189-horsepower and 207 pound-feet of torque bring the relatively light car to 60 mph in 6.6 seconds with the eight-speed automatic.

The car shifts very smoothly and can be placed in a manual shifting mode. Braking and steering are very responsive.

Mini models are often compared to Go-Karts and the handling of this car did not disappoint. Driving modes can be set to Sport, Mid and Green.

Conclusion

Mini, as expected, fits a niche in the automotive world. The four-door Clubman is roomy, but not nearly as large as wagons made by Subaru and Volkswagen. The car handles and performs better than most in its class, but can cost as much as a Volvo rather than a Subaru or Golf wagon.

The Mini Clubman brings all-wheel drive for 2017 and styling and panache that can’t be rivaled by its competitors. Driving a car that is fun, personable and sporty is worth the cost of admission for many.

How many will buy a ticket for a $39,000 ride lacking power seats and a backup camera? Many positive intangibles may be enough to justify the price. Besides, what other car tackles sidewalks, alleyways, stairs and subway systems with the same vigor as any highway?

Specs

Vehicle type: front engine, front-wheel drive with all-wheel drive, five-passenger, six-door wagon

Engine: turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve, 4-cylinder, 2.0 liter

Displacement: 122 cubic-inches, 1998 cc’s

Power: 189 horsepower, 207 pound-feet torque

Transmission: 8-speed automatic with manual shifting mode

Wheelbase: 105.1 inches

Performance: 0-60 in 6.6 seconds; Quarter mile 15.2 seconds at 92 mph

Fuel Economy: EPA 24 city/34 highway

Cupholders: 4

Power Outlets: 2 power, 2 USB

Warranty: 12 year, unlimited miles rust; 4 year 50,000 mile bumper to bumper; 4 year unlimited mile roadside; 3 year, 36,000 mile free scheduled maintenance

Price as tested: $38,680

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