MINI
Next Pace
Paceman concept points to a new three-door SUV for BMW's fashionable brand.
- Man, how many more Minis is BMW planning to build?
Up until now, speaking theoretically, seven. The four existing models in showrooms are the Hatch, Convertible, Clubman and Countryman. The Coup? and Roadster two-seaters, on the other hand, are scheduled for 2011 and 2012 respectively, as confirmed in earlier concept cars.
The Paceman Concept you see here could be made in late 2012 or 2013 at the latest as a three-door SUV. Mini calls it a Sports Activity Coup?.
- To rival the Evoque?
You could say so, but the Paceman is slightly smaller than the Range Rover baby, which has three- and five-door variants.
The Paceman shares the same length and width as the Countryman but is slightly lower in height, which is also the case with the two Evoques.
If you put the Paceman into comparison to the Hatch, it is bigger in all dimensions. Simply put, the Paceman is the three-door version of the five-door Countryman.
Paceman is slightly lower in height than Countryman.
- With the same 2+2 interior?
Yes, if you take the concept car into consideration, which debuts at next month's Detroit motor show.
The Paceman has four individual chairs and a central rail running front to rear _ just as in the Countryman. However, it is unlikely to offer the Countryman's no-cost rear three-seat option because practical minded buyers wouldn't go to the Paceman in the first place.
- Any hybrid engines being previewed?
No, just the conventional and expected. But in order to make the Paceman look special in concept form, it gets the 211hp 1.6-litre turbo-petrol engine from the John Cooper Works package, as well as the ALL4 four-wheel-drive system. If the Paceman gets the nod for production, there's the usual array of engines to choose from ranging from One's 98hp unit up to the Cooper S's 184hp variation. And, of course, there's diesel power for those needing to economise, but no hybrid yet in sight. And yes, you can also expect a front-wheel-drive format.
- Will it really be made?
There's no reason why it shouldn't, since it helps maximise the Mini's business case. Actually, there is still three years to go before it reaches its mandatory retirement in its current form. BMW has always been looking into this niche. There were once rumours that the X4 would be a three-door SUV, a smaller version of the five-door X6 Sports Activity Coup?.
A sketch of the interior reveals 2+2 seat design.
Details like these are only for show on concept car.
Credit: Bangkok Post (www.bangkokpost.com)
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