MINI has indulged in a little time travel to bring us one of the most unusual retro cars around.

The result? The MINI Clubman – a retake on the Clubman, Countryman and Traveller baby wagon versions of Alec Issigonis's original masterpiece in miniature.

Those were the days when the old Minis boasted a practical and desirable 'shooting brake' version – some with fake wood, too – like a shrunk down rear end of the Morris Traveller.

But that's enough reminiscing. Today has dawned and Mini is now MINI (yes, we're asked to write it in capital letters) – the million-selling success now in the hands of BMW.

So now we have a Clubman that's 24cm longer than the iconic hatch, with longer rear overhangs and a wheelbase stretched by 8cm to create more rear legroom.

The new Clubman is also easier to get into, thanks to slightly longer, wide-opening side doors, plus an extra rear-hinged 'Clubdoor' on the offside. This opens separately, giving 'hidden' access to the rear seats.

Viewed from the rear, the Clubman has a pair of rear doors that open outwards like wings, with a handle on each door that meet up in the middle when closed for a stylish finishing touch. The doors also open on gas-rams to keep them open.

Like much of the MINI's design, it is very self-indulgent and definitely a case of style over function.

Yes, we do forgive MINI many of its practical failings, but it has to be said that rear vision in the Clubman is poor. The rear windscreen is obscured by the thick black door frames down the centre and rear windows are tiny. But the separate little wipers on each door are practical and cute.

And the Clubman is still not really a luggage-lugging car, although load space is more generous than in the hatch. The roof is a little higher but the load bay is still quite shallow, while high-set rear seats do not tumble forwards fully.

But there is an underfloor storage tray and when the seats are folded, a completely flat platform is created, with a bumper-level floor for easy loading.

It could also be pointed out that the Clubdoor on the right hand side of the Clubman opens out on to the road if the MINI is parked the right way round and that the giant speedo is totally impractical in the middle of the dashboard.

And while I'm at it, the banks of marvellous switchgear below knee level are rather wonderful but almost impossible to recognise individually until there's some familiarity with the car. But it's all quirky, authentic and characterful, so we tend to forgive and forget.

From a driving point of view, there's plenty of good news. Stretching the structure has done nothing to dissolve the MINI's fabulous handling, nor its performance, and it feels and sounds just like the hatch version, although there is more of a rear-biased feel.

You still feel close to the road and perfectly in touch with all that's going on, with perky performance, that marvellous seat-of-the-pants ride and low centre of gravity and go-kart feel that only a MINI can engender. Electric power-assisted steering offers plenty of direct feedback.

The six-speed gearbox demands a firm hand and can be stiff and heavy but the short throw between gears encourages plenty of wrist use.

The 1.6-litre petrol Cooper version I drove hits 62mph in a shade under 10 seconds, so it's no slouch, and the Clubman actually feels much faster. Combined consumption is an excellent 51.4mpg.

Auto Start-Stop is standard, where the car automatically shuts off when idling and then restarts when the clutch is used. It's a bit worrying at first but works effectively and certainly helps save fuel.

The question remains whether enough enthusiasts will go for the different shape, some never having seen it before. In my time driving mainly around Beds, Bucks and Herts, I have seen but one example on the road so far.

But knowing MINI's popularity, the Clubman will ride again and be another success story for the stable.

At a glance:

• MINI Clubman available as Cooper (£14,235), Cooper D (£15,400) and Cooper S (£17,210).


• Modern interpretation of famous Mini predecessor.


• Flexible use of space, easier access through innovative door concepts, more space for rear passengers, high level of safety and customisation options.


• Clubman model is 24cms longer than the hatch with 8cm more legroom for rear passengers and a choice of four or five seats.


• Auto Start-Stop, Brake Energy Regeneration and gearshift Point Indicator standard across the range.


• Clubman joins hatch and Convertible models in MINI range which has sold more than one million models since 2001, all built at Oxford plant.


• Two rear doors come with separate windscreen wipers.


• Rear light clusters are new design for this model.


• Twelve body colours from which to choose , including exclusive Hot Chocolate for Clubman.