Likes Update:

The 2,500 mile Mini Clubman report praised the Mini Clubman for its looks (including that discreet rear-hinged passenger door), practicality, fun handling and superior ride.

A further 1,400 miles down the road and these are still the key ingredients to a car which I look forward to driving every time I pick up the keys.

Familiarity has deepened my affection for a car which lives up to its billing of a Mini with a little bit extra – and I'm already starting to think of the remaining five months of our nine month loan as “not that long”.

Dislikes Update:

Fuel Economy: The biggest criticism from my last report was fuel economy. Our 39mpg fell a long way short of the manufacturer's claimed 51.4mpg for combined fuel consumption (which averages urban and extra-urban driving figures) and now its dropped to 38.1mpg.

However, it might be time to eat a little humble pie. A change in style is already starting to reap rewards and I'm going to gauge its return over a month of Green driving.

Indicators and comfort: The irritation caused by the indicators' reluctance to self-cancel has faded away and I now cancel them without even thinking about it. Ditto the car's wheelbase being too narrow to straddle speed bumps. I treat them with more respect without even registering I'm doing it..

Boot: Some members of the team highlighted the Mini's capacity compared unfavourably with rivals - and there is a trade-off to be made between style and function. However, we still managed to transport a seven foot Christmas tree in a Mini Clubman. We've found it flexible and fits most needs.

We'll Get Back To You Update:

The features which split our largely approving road testers were the centrally placed big speedo, Stop/Start, fiddly central console and boot opening. The speedo is simply a matter of personal taste but as with the former “dislikes” listed above, familiarity has dulled any irritation caused by the Stop/Start technology and Central Console. Initially I was concerned about damaging the boot's spring-loaded barn doors opening them in confined spaces. Again, I'm used to them now. It's not an issue.

Focus on Fuel:

So, the niggles of our 2,500 mile report seem to have been ironed out as I adapt to the car over an extended period of ownership.

But there is no getting away from the fact the car's fuel consumption is still considerably below the claimed 51.4mpg. In fact its got worse, dropping from 39mpg to 38.1mpg now.

However, after sticking on 38mpg for weeks there was a tiny but telling 0.1mpg improvement in the final few days running up to this report, coinciding with a real concentration on my Green driving skills.

An (energy efficient) lightbulb went on after I had the opportunity to drive the Honda Insight - a new hybrid which encourages more frugal driving by backlighting the speedo green when the driving style is Green and blue when it isn't. It brought home to me that its not simply WHAT I drive which influences fuel economy but HOW I drive.

I decided to try these smoother techniques (no harsh acceleration or braking) in the Mini Clubman – and the difference it made was immediate. Did I mention the humble pie?

The next job is to test out these skills over an extended period and in March I'll be reporting back on what the car returns after a full month of Green driving.

It might not be the most fun I've had in the Clubman but with belt-tightening an essential part of everyday life its time to test its penny-pinching powers.

Watch the birth of our Mini Clubman...