Mini has unveiled the all-new Paceman, a three-door sporty coupe car based on the Countryman mini-SUV. It will go on sale in the UK in March 2013, priced from £18,970.
Prior to launch the Mini Paceman will make its public debut appearance at the 2012 Paris Motor Show. The Paceman will serve as a cheaper alternative to other bulky but compact crossover SUV models like the three-door Range Rover Evoque coupe.
Get a FREE MINI Brochure
Looking for a new car then why not start with a glossy MINI brochure
The Paceman should offer an overall sportier drive then the Mini Countryman, while still offering more interior space then the Mini hatchback.
Styling-wise the four-door Paceman is shaped very similar to the Countryman, albeit updated with a shorter and sharp rear roofline. This reduces the boot space by 20 litres, now at 330 in total with the rear seats up.
The Paceman also appears to take some elements from the Mini Cooper hatchback, like the distinct horizontal shaped tail-lights.
The roof can be painted in the same colour as the bodyshell, or specified in a contrasting white or black finish.
The Mini Paceman will initially launch in seven specifications, a John Cooper Works model will launch some time after the initial launch and will be the most powerful model in the Paceman range.
In the meantime engine options will include an entry-level 110bhp 1.6-litre petrol unit, which gives the Paceman a 0-62mph time of 10.4 seconds and a top speed of 119mph. It also returns an average fuel economy of 47mpg and emits 140g/km in CO2.
The Cooper S Paceman, which starts from £22,355, receives an 181bhp 1.6-litre petrol engine, while the Cooper D receives an 112bhp turbocharged 1.6-litre diesel. The range-topping Cooper SD Paceman has a similar diesel engine with 184bhp.
The different specifications of the Paceman offer a six-speed manual transmission as standard and the option of two or four-wheel drive.
Standard equipment on every Paceman model includes air conditioning, a radio/CD player and sport seats for the driver and front passenger.