NEW YORK MOTOR SHOW: MINI unveils all-wheel drive Clubman ALL4

MINI has revealed a new all-wheel drive version of the recently launched F54 Clubman wagon ahead of its official debut at next month’s New York motor show.

Called the Clubman ALL4, the new wagon variant is the first non-SUV MINI to gain all-wheel drive.

Differing from other all-wheel drive systems, says MINI, the ALL4 hardware has a ‘hang-on’ multi-disc clutch that can effectively decouple the rear axle in normal road use. This, says the Brit car maker, reduces torque losses by up to 30 per cent.

When the system detects slip, the rear clutch, that’s controlled by an electro-hydraulic pump, re-engages in a fraction of a second to send drive to the rear wheels. The new system is also said to work in tandem with the MINI’s electronic stability control that can also brake individual wheels, prompting torque to transfer across the axle to boost traction.

Set to go on sale in Europe shortly after its April unveil, the new all-wheel drive Clubman will be available with the 100kW/220Nm 1.5-litre turbo three-cylinder from the MINI Cooper hatch and the more powerful 141kW/280Nm 2.0-litre turbo from the Cooper S.

A 140kW 2.0-litre turbo-diesel will also be available.

That extra traction counts off the line; MINI claims the Cooper S is 0.3 seconds quicker than its two-wheel drive sibling with the Cooper S ALL4 manual six-speed taking just 6.7 seconds to reach the 100km/h benchmark from rest.

The Clubman range starts at $34,900 for the 1.5-litre three-cylinder Clubman Cooper, it’s not yet known how much of a premium the all-wheel drive version will command.

More will be revealed following its official unveiling at the New York Show in April.