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To the enthusiast, fuel-economy and emissions mandates that push automakers to develop small cars are bad news. After all, there's no replacement for displacement, right? Well, fifty years ago, the Mini showed the world that big fun was possible in a little package.

The Mini Cooper Clubman is the epitome of a niche vehicle. As such, it's a car that works for some but will leave many people cold. For my part, I think it's pretty cool, but I'd have to think long and hard before I made it my primary vehicle. Of course, it's far more practical than the regular Mini Cooper, thanks to the passenger's-side half-door (a feature we've already seen in the Saturn Ion and the Mazda RX-8) and the extended wheelbase, which translates into significantly more rear-seat room and cargo space than the regular Mini. In fact, I needed to haul a 27" x 27" x 18" plywood box (to be used to elevate a washing machine) to a friend's house, and I had no problem fitting it into the back of the Clubman with the rear seats folded (see photo).inline_mediumwraptextright26391607/reviews/editors_notebook/0909_2009_mini_cooper_s_clubman0909_03_z+2009_mini_cooper_s_clubman+profile.jpgTrue

Enthusiasts have reason to be concerned about high-performance cars being regulated out of existence. Consider the recent passage of the Obama administration's new CAFE standards as well as the looming specter of cap and trade carbon taxes. Some Draconian scenarios predict an over-regulated future filled with dull cars.inline_mediumwraptextright30638772/green/news/0909_guide_to_the_future_of_high_mpg_efficiency_not_economy0909_03_z+2010_chevrolet_corvette+front_three_quarter_view.jpgTrue