OFFICIAL Official: 2011 Mini Paceman Concept

I'm a big fan of the Paceman, I currently own a 2011 Countryman Dooper, if this had been available in 5 door form a few months back I would have bought it, I will have a really good look at it when it comes out and possibly trade my Countryman.

MINI Paceman hits the patent office

Could be launched in 2013

The MINI Paceman is inching closer to production as BMW has filed a patent application for the crossover's design.

Looking virtually identical to the concept, the retail model will be based on the Countryman and built by Magna-Steyr in Graz, Austria. Engine options will likely carryover so expect outputs ranging from 90 PS (66 kW / 90 hp) to 211 PS (155 kW / 208 hp).

Previous reports have indicated the Paceman could be launched as soon as 2013, so expect a flurry of spy photos in the coming months.

Source: Carscoop

Nice, looks like a retro version of Range Rover Evoque.

Very much so. I think two door SUVs will be the next hot thing.

I own a Countryman with a bench seat, the bench seat can only seat two people, you can't even fit with any comfort 3 7 years olds. I would have gone with the 4 seat option if it was an available option when I ordered mine.

MINI Paceman concept to use “Countryman Coupe” name for production

Last year came news that the ever-growing MINI lineup would be joined by a production version of the Paceman concept shown at last year’s Detroit show.

Now, a source within MINI has revealed to Car and Driver that the car will actually wear the Countryman Coupe moniker when it hits the market.

The name change makes sense, as the Paceman concept is essentially a two-door variant of the Countryman model with a bit of extra traditional Cooper styling thrown in the mix. Dimensionally, its proportions mirror those of the standard Cooper, but the concept is actually slightly longer than the Countryman.

Like the Countryman, the Paceman concept features MINI’s ALL4 all-wheel-drive system with an electromagnetic center differential capable of sending up to 100 percent of all power to the rear wheels. MINI said that the concept is also available in two-wheel-drive format, an odd statement concerning a show car but a clear indication that the production version will be offered in cheaper and more efficient front-wheel-drive form as well.

While the concept is powered by MINI’s highest-zoot engine, the turbocharged 1.6-liter inline-four with 211 horsepower, the production Countryman Coupe will likely offer MINI’s full range of four-cylinder motors.

MINI is expected to introduce the Countryman Coupe at the Paris show later this year before the car reaches showrooms in in 2013 as a 2014 model.

Source: http://www.leftlanenews.com/mini-countryman-coupe.html

BMW should develop a performance driven AWD for Mini. I don't think that electromagnetic center differential can improve performance.

That's good news, I think I've now found what I'll replace my CM with in 2014. I traded my Clubman in for the CM thinking 4 doors would be useful, so far they haven't been, so a 3 dr CM Coupe would fit my needs.