VIDEO: MINI Clubman vs. Go Kart
The MINI Clubman is everything the MINI Cooper is and more -- nine inches more. It has a passenger-side suicide door and that wide-mouth split rear gate, but everything else from its retro looks to the 172-hp turbocharged four-cylinder underhood is the same. But is it the same? Does nine inches of wheel base ruin the go kart-like handling we love so much in the MINI Cooper S? The folks over at Web Rides TV were itching to answer exactly that question, so they pitted the Mini Clubman S against a real, 9-horsepower go-kart. To give the kart a chance, the race was performed on an actual go-kart track, squeaky floors and all. The winner? You'll have to hit the jump to find out, but the race is more exciting than the finish.
[Source: Web Rides TV]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
BRAVENRACE 3:33PM (7/22/2008)
Isn't the new Cooper S turbocharged, not supercharged?
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BRAVENRACE 3:53PM (7/22/2008)
They corrected it, but the text originally said it was supercharged, thus my question.
SimbaDogg 12:26AM (7/23/2008)
regardless...this is probably the stupidest video stunt i've ever seen. trying to emulate the guys over at top gear was a bad choice for these guys...
Pete 3:37PM (7/22/2008)
The clubman has a turbocharged I-4...
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tenfifteen 3:41PM (7/22/2008)
Stateside at least, only the 'S.'
Luis 3:39PM (7/22/2008)
That was actually a pretty entertaining video. The Cooper was impressive, and I love that win at the end.
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Torrent 3:40PM (7/22/2008)
Oh my God! I want a Go-Kart. And a Mini Clubman just so I could race it.
Very Entertaining, BTW
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Dave 11:04PM (7/22/2008)
I would NOT get in that go kart. Even at 20 mph, I'd be afraid of becoming road kill. Good Race, though!
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Patrick 3:52PM (7/22/2008)
Man, that was one spinout away from Mr. Host there getting run over by the Mini. I'd prefer to see them do lap times separately for a more realistic time...racing w/ traffic makes the times more variable but also doesn't make for as good of TV.
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Seoultrain 3:55PM (7/22/2008)
cool video. Presenters are a bit stiff, but the writing and production was very good. USA Top Gear should take notes.
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KazO 4:03PM (7/22/2008)
That was a rather TopGear-like challenge. I liked it. And I've been to Dromo a number of times, and it's probably the only indoor kart track I've been to wide enough to even try this.
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Jo. A. Borras 4:04PM (7/22/2008)
One thing comes to mind: SLR.Kart
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Scott 4:38PM (7/22/2008)
That comparo was crap. Indoor karts (the 9hp variety) are slow as hell. Sprint karts (the 30 hp variety) would out drag the Mini in a straight line and have more grip to boot. Both cars suffered from lack of grip on the polished indoor track but the Mini made up for it with superior acceleration (that speaks volumes about how slow the indoor kart is). Plus, the kart was not being driven correctly anyway. The rear wheels of a kart are linked (no diff) and it will struggle with massive understeer if the rider doesn't lift the inside rear wheel in the corners. Similarly, the rider also came out of at least 1 hairpin with power-on oversteer caused by poor line selection (he left yards of track-out) and using the throttle as if it were a binary switch. The whole ordeal seems like a lot of trouble to go through to put a positive "spin" on such an average performing and below average looking car.
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BlackCanary 4:40PM (7/22/2008)
It was supposed to be funny, lighten up. You probably complained about the Clarkson Mustang Vs. a Mustang Horse as well. Yes they are stupid comparisons but they are funny.
CarbonBlack 8:30PM (7/22/2008)
The mini shoulda run the go cart over!
RM12 8:55PM (7/22/2008)
The idea of the compro was to prove that the mini has "go-kart-like" handling. Nothing more, nothing less. Show me any other car that could perform as well as a mini on this type of course? In city driving this thing is ideal
pmiddle5 8:55PM (7/22/2008)
I race karts and know all of this but just appreciate it for being kinda funny and a publicity stunt =)
Ronald Jones 9:05AM (7/23/2008)
Scott have you ever been to an indoor kart track? You don't lift the inside rear wheel like an outdoor kart, there aren’t any berms. Also the quickest times that I have seen at this track is when the driver is shortening the track. These karts aren't slow at all. My personal best is 21.17 sec. They are pretty quick for indoors karts probably due to the gearing, but don't take my word for it. Try them for yourself you might like.
BlackCanary 4:38PM (7/22/2008)
That was awesome! If TG USA is as good as that than I am satisfied. The host was not so good at the beginning but pretty funny during the race.
"The center of gravity is, in fact ... my ass."
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Steve_S 4:50PM (7/22/2008)
The whole idea is for it to be entertaining and to go up against a regular go-kart not a sprint cart. A good video and it shows the Mini handles pretty well.
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