The Mini Paceman will be priced from $35,900 when the new two-door compact crossover range arrives in Australian showrooms in March.
Commanding a premium of $1800-$2200 over the four-door Mini Countryman on which it’s based, Mini’s seventh model line costs $35,900 in entry-level Paceman Cooper specification and $44,100 in the sportier Paceman Cooper S form.
Mini Australia general manager Kai Bruesewitz says while the Paceman has its own individual personality, it remains unmistakably a member of the Mini family.
“This is true of the Paceman which combines dynamic performance and agility with a raised driving position and lounge like interior complete with individual seating for each of the four possible occupants, all wrapped up in coupe body,” Bruesewitz said.
Powering the Mini Paceman Cooper is a 90kW/160Nm 1.6-litre petrol engine with variable valve management. It provides enough poke to see 100km/h come up from standstill in 10.4 seconds, while still delivering efficient fuel consumption figures of 6.5 litres per 100km and 152 grams per kilometre of CO2.
The sportier Cooper S gains the added power and fun of a turbocharger and direct injection to see 135kW of power and 240Nm of torque from 1600rpm (an overboost function allows for short bursts of 260Nm between 1700 and 4500rpm). The added performance means 0-100km/h in 7.5 and a top speed of 217km/h, with economy kept in check at 6.6L/100km and 154g/km of CO2.
Both models come standard mated to a six-speed manual gearbox but with the optional $2350 six-speed automatic transmission selected, sprint times for the two Pacemen increase to 11.5 seconds and 7.8 seconds, respectively, as does fuel consumption and emissions – 7.6L/100km and 177g/km for the Cooper and 7.5L/100km and 175g/km for the Cooper S.
On top of the Countryman’s standard features the Mini Paceman Cooper scores dynamic stability control, automatic headlights, front and rear foglights, rain-sensing wipers, multi-function leather-bound sports steering wheel, Chrome Line interior, Bluetooth and USB connectivity, and 16-inch 5-Star alloy wheels.
A notch above, the Paceman Cooper S also gains dynamic traction control, Sport button, clear indicator lenses, stainless steel pedals and footrest, and 17-inch 5-Hole black star alloys. Sports seats and sports suspension feature as standard on both models.
Available in a choice of eight colours including Blazing Red, Brilliant Copper metallic and a new Starlight Blue metallic, the Mini Paceman, in most cases, can be selected with a roof and mirror caps in contrasting black or white.
Hot on the heels of the Mini Paceman will be the arrival of the updated Mini Countryman, and the company’s fastest-ever production car, the Mini John Cooper Works GP, both expected around March.
2013 Mini Paceman manufacturer’s list prices:
Mini Paceman Cooper manual – $35,900 Mini Paceman Cooper automatic– $38250 Mini Paceman Cooper S – $44,100 Mini Paceman Cooper S automatic– $46,450
