Monday 17th September 2012

Mini Paceman slopes in

Countryman coupe available from March next year, costs from £19k

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Following a few leaked pictures last week, here are the official images from Mini of the new Paceman.

When it reaches Britain in the spring next year, the Paceman will be the seventh BMW Mini product. To avoid any confusion, Mini describes the Paceman as "a coupé interpretation of the Countryman". Who needs such a vehicle? Well, apparently it's "a new type of design-conscious customer". Presumably they weren't looking for these people with the Countryman.

Black my (roof) pitch up

From the outside, Mini has attempted to accentuate the coupé design themes with blacked-out C pillars and wider rear lights. It's hardly a classic coupé design, but it's certainly more aesthetically appealing than the Countryman.

The Paceman is lower than the Countryman too. What that will do for comfort, not a known strength of the Countryman, remains to be seen. Interestingly, Mini is offering conventional suspension and ride height as a no-cost option. With the standard, lowered setup being described as "dynamic", perhaps the regular ride height might be advisable.

Inside, the fiour-seater Paceman cabin is divided by the Centre Rail storage and attachment system first seen in the Countryman. The familiar Mini design themes (oversized speedo, toggle switches) continue. Perhaps the most significant interior change sees the electric window switches move from the centre console to the door, about ten years too late but still welcome.

The wonders of the wide-angle lens

Mechanically, the Paceman is every inch a Countryman Coupé. It will be offered with four engines from the hatch, two petrol and two diesel. The Cooper and Cooper S petrol are both 1.6-litres, producing 122 and 184hp respectively. The diesel options are a 1.6 with 112hp in the Cooper D and a 143hp 2.0-litre in the Cooper SD. 4WD is available on Cooper D, Cooper SD and Cooper S models. A JCW derivative is also in the pipeline.

Sales of the Mini Paceman begin in Britain on 16th March 2013, with the basic Paceman Cooper set to cost £18,970. This makes the entry-level Paceman £940 more than the equivalent Countryman. Of course, the usual plethora of customisation options will be available, which means very few sub-£20k Pacemans are likely to leave Mini dealers.

The Countryman, Coupé and now the Paceman show a Mini brand that is diversifying and moving away from its core product. How much more can they do?

Must remember to post that letter

600bhp model will be called Pacemaker

 

 

[mr2j]

A three door hatch. Okay.

[struttob]

HMMMMM, it does not get any better, in my humble opinion they have lost the plot, but will be saved by all the "fan boys and girls"

[anonymous-user]

Another Mini, dear God as if there arent enough already. It'll probably do ok in the US.

[Numeric]

A bigger three door hatch isn't such a daft idea - but the pricing is a little dizzy I suspect for mere mortals - even as the biggest fan of the Mini Hatch I don't think I could go this route over a Golf or 1-series when I'll get more bang for buck from both and better finish inside etc - I'd guess the big Diesel at mid twenties with a few essentials - though the option of 4x4 might be tempting?

[Tib]

So every petrol Mini these days is a cooper? Jesus. Talk about wasting a brand.

[Papa Hotel]

Another day, another increasingly large, bloated abuse of the Mini and Cooper names. It's a trendy brand, they can get away with it. Sad though.

[HowardB]

Has the same acute window, roof lines as the Evoke, and probably aimed at the same customers.

Guess the days of the mini being small have truly long gone, and now all we have is a brand.

Not that I am bothered too much, I am not part of the target audience, being a middle aged bloke I don't understand fashion in cars,.. it should be about performance!

[garypotter]

Dislike the MINI brand but this is probably the best looking model they have made, still would never own one.

[Luca Brasi]

1.29 average, says it all. We don't need all this stuff BMW! Mini hatch, cabrio en Clubman, that's plenty.

[Agent Orange]

Is this the poor man version of the poor man's Range Rover? ie. A poor man Evoque?

I feel I should instantly hate it - and I do but I cannot help but like the shot of the rear quarters.



and the rear seats look quite a nice place to be for a short person for a short period of time.

[FWDRacer]

Poor woman's Evoque.

[joewilliams]

Luca Brasi said:

1.29 average, says it all. We don't need all this stuff BMW! Mini hatch, cabrio en Clubman, that's plenty.

Many of us think that, but they keep on selling the things!

[hornetrider]

FWDRacer said:

Poor woman's Evoque.

This.

[Krikkit]

Agent Orange said:

Is this the poor man version of the poor man's Range Rover? ie. A poor man Evoque?

I feel I should instantly hate it - and I do but I cannot help but like the shot of the rear quarters.



and the rear seats look quite a nice place to be for a short person for a short period of time.

Agreed on both counts - still a bloody awful thing as a whole though. Can't wait to see one on the road for some point-and-laugh action!

[chrisjpartridge]

There are a lot of simple minded people out there... with money.
BMW are doing an exellent job of taking this money - Why should they care what it's for.

[dandarez]

chrisjpartridge said:

There are a lot of simple minded people out there... with money.
BMW are doing an exellent job of taking this money - Why should they care what it's for.

Do you understand the word 'residuals'?

[MarJay]

A niche too far, and god damn its hideous. That has to be the ugliest car made outside of China surely?

[Japveesix]

I already don't understand the BMW range with all the silly pointless niche models (5 GT, X1, X3, gran coupe etc) and now I don't understand the mini lineup either. What's next a convertible paceman? then a 7 seat roadster and an electric offroad version of the clubvan?

[Ozzie Osmond]

As Lu51fer might say,

"You can't polish a turd."

[dandarez]

HowardB said:

Has the same acute window, roof lines as the Evoke, and probably aimed at the same customers.

Guess the days of the mini being small have truly long gone, and now all we have is a brand.

Not that I am bothered too much, I am not part of the target audience, being a middle aged bloke I don't understand fashion in cars,.. it should be about performance!

What do think the JCW is about then if it's not 'performance'?

There must be more MINI haters on the PHs than any other forum in the world.