The production version of the MINI Paceman – the Countryman Coupe – has been revealed ahead of the Paris Motor Show.
The MINI Paceman arrived at the Detroit Motor Show in 2011 as a concept, but it was clear, even then, that MINI wouldn’t be able to resist building the Countryman Coupe as a cheaper alternative to the Range Rover Evoque.
So now we have the production version of the Paceman revealed ahead of its public debut at Paris 2012, looking exactly like the Paceman Concept.
That means a coupe roofline and the loss of the back doors to create a Countryman Coupe that actually looks quite convincing. It will still look like a pastiche if you park it next to a regular MINI, but in isolation it looks better than the Countryman.
The eighth model in the MINI lineup, the Paceman gets a standard 2+2 interior layout with MINI’s Centre Rail running from front to back and, although it doesn’t sound like a big deal, the electric window switches move from the daft place on centre console on to the door where they belong, and sports seats are standard.
Boot space falls slightly thanks to the sloping roof, the rear lights get turned round and there’s a big ‘PACEMAN’ badge on the boot lid.
Under the skin you can opt for the more powerful versions of the MINI, which means Paceman Cooper, Cooper S, Cooper D and Cooper SD are the options with all versions also available with the optional ALL4 four wheel drive.
Sticking a coupe body on the Countryman hasn’t affected economy, with the Paceman recording the same figures as the Countryman, although 0-62mph times are a blink quicker. And unless you opt for the Countryman suspension setup you will get as standard a more sporty setup which will evoke memories of the go kart handling of the Issigonis original.
The MINI Paceman arrives in the UK in spring 2013 with prices starting at £18,970 for the Cooper Paceman, rising to £24,920 for the Paceman Cooper SD ALL4.
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