14 Sept 2012

MINI Paceman - specs and photos

To BMW's Snow White we now have MINI's seven....

Well you get the picture.

As well as the Hatch, Clubman, Convertible, Countryman, CoupĂ© and Roadster MINI now brings us the Paceman.  Seven models in total all based around the iconic MINI shape.

So what sets the Paceman aside from the rest of the MINI line-up?  According to MINI it is 'styled as a coupĂ© interpretation of the Countryman'.  Which means it is quite big and tall but, erm, low and the roofline rakes backwards.  Or something.

This should put it in a similar category to Range Rover's Evoque or BMW's X6 but at half the price.

The car is driven by the front wheels with four wheel drive as an option.  Lowered sports suspension comes as standard with softer, taller suspension and as a no-cost option.

The Paceman comes with two petrol and two diesel engines from launch - all come with a six speed manual or an optional six speed Steptronic auto.

The petrol engines are a 1.6 litre turbo with 122bhp in the MINI Cooper Paceman that does 0-62 in 10.4 seconds and a 1.6 litre turbo with 184bhp in the Cooper S that does 0-62 in 7.5 seconds.

The diesels are a 1.6 turbo with 112bhp and 0-62 in 10.8 seconds in the Cooper D and a 2.0 turbo with 143bhp and 0-62 in 9.2 seconds.  Fuel economy is good all round.

Happily for fans of fast cars a John Cooper Works Paceman is in the pipeline.

Driver aids include Dynamic Stability Control as standard with options including Dynamic Traction Control and Electronic Differential Lock Control.

MINIs MINIMALISM range of eco systems are fitted as standard - Auto Stop/Start, Shift Point Display, Brake Energy Regeneration and on-demand operation of ancillary units all of which reduce fuel consumption.

The MINI Paceman will go sale on 16 March 2013 with prices starting at £18,970 on the road.