MINI Paceman on its way
Arriving in Oz in early-2013, the Countryman SUV-based Paceman promises sportier coupe looks plus more room than the regular MINI hatchFollowing the release of numerous spy photos and the publication of a review this week in a UK magazine, BMW Australia has confirmed the two-door Mini Paceman will go on sale Down Under in March.
Based on the MINI Countryman SUV, the Paceman is a two-door version of the higher-riding MINI and could be compared in execution to the Range Rover Evoque, currently the world's most sought-after two-door SUV.
Another potential rival for the MINI Paceman will be the Porsche Macan SUV, which will slot underneath the Cayenne large SUV.
The Paceman will address demand for sports/luxury coupe SUVs, but don't call it a crossover because that particular buzzword seems to have fallen out of favour. It will sit lower to the ground than its Countryman cousin, with obvious differences including the chopped roof, restyled derriere and overall sportier character.
It also sits 40mm lower and weight 20kg less than the Countryman, which should contribute to improved driving dynamics. The larger interior and boot could also sway current Cooper hatch owners who aren't ready to settle for a five-door vehicle yet.
Set for a public unveiling at the 2012 Paris Motor Show in late September, the Paceman will be the seventh MINI iteration offered in Australia when it arrives early next year, joining the Roadster, Coupe, Countryman, Clubman, Carbio and Cooper hatch.
Like the Countryman, the Paceman will be offered in front- and all-wheel drive configurations and is expected to be powered by a range of engines, including the high output, 135kW/240Nm 1.6-litre turbo petrol unit. It will be able to sprint to 100km/h from rest in 7.5 seconds.
'Tuned' JCW versions of the Paceman are a safe bet too, upping power to 160kW/280Nm, and likely lowering the benchmark sprint as well.
A hi-po oiler, the MINI Cooper Paceman SD, will also be available, propelled by a 105kW/305Nm, 2.0-litre turbodiesel mill.
Entry-level variants will be fitted with 1.6-litre turbodiesel engines (82kW/270Nm), and the naturally aspirated 1.6-litre petrol variants (90kW/160Nm) are expected to start at under $40,000.
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