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Cute and not so cute. We first tested the entry-level Clubman, which features a 118-horse inline 4. It was a little pokey and the six-speed manual seemed like a novelty paired with that kind of power. In short, fun to motor around in but not something you want to take on the track. Next, we drove the Clubman S -- a 172-horse turbo that bolts to 60 in 6.7 ticks, more than two seconds quicker (and actually faster than the new Audi A4). That impressive power ($3,500 extra) is crazy fun, but it comes with
some responsibility -- pay attention and hold on, because when you goose the S, its beefy front end torque can make the car buck and whipsaw if you're not careful. Definitely something you want to take on the track.
-- by John D. Thomas
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