So, it took the BMW-owned Mini like what, ten years to come up with something a bit closer to the original Mini. Set for debut at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), it’s called the MINI Paceman Concept. BMW has also come up one of their ridiculous titles, and call this car a Sports Activity Coupe in the small premium segment! In other words, it’s a two-door hatch.
A two-door hatch but with a unique design and a chunky and muscular character. The MINI Paceman Concept is still very, almost too, funky and brash, but it’s more manly and as mentioned closer to the original Mini sizewise. The MINI Paceman Concept measures 4,110 millimetres in length, 1,789 millimetres in width and 1,541 millimetres in height. In archetypal MINI style, the Paceman has extremely short front and rear overhangs to facilitate the familiar go kart driving responses. That said, it’ll almost certainly will be much much heavier than the original, so it’ll be never just as good!
The technicalities are also very cool. The concept is powered by MINI John Cooper Works 1.6-litre twin-scroll turbocharged engine featuring an overboost function. This 16 valve, four cylinder unit develops 211 hp and generates maximum torque of 260 Nm (192 lb-ft), the latter value having the capacity to reach 280 Nm (207 lb-ft) in brief bursts thanks to the Overboost.
But the most outstanding feature of the Paceman is its ALL4 four-wheel-drive it has inherited from the Countryman. It’s a resolutely small car and we’re not sure what’s the use of ALL4 in it, but here we are! The ALL4 features an electromagnetic centre differential positioned directly on the final drive which varies the distribution of power seamlessly between the front and rear axles. In normal driving conditions up to 50 per cent of the drive is sent to the rear wheels, but in extreme situations as much as 100 per cent can be directed to the rear.
The car also has a chassis tweaked for fun. The front axle features MacPherson spring struts with lower track control arms which, combined with Electric Power Steering with speed-sensitive power assistance. Those 19-inch wheels are not there just for show, they also play a major role in this car stability and handling.
Nit sure how many of these great stuff will make it into the production when they eventually put it on the line, but even as an exercise the Mini Paceman is brilliant.
The MINI Paceman Concept embodies the idea of an incomparable driving experience in a way that meets the needs of modern, lifestyle-oriented customers but it also remains true to the character of the MINI brand.
“With the MINI Countryman having already opened up a fascinating new avenue in the expansion of the brand family, the designers are now tapping into the potential of its state-of-the-art drive technology and flexible space concept to develop additional market opportunities in a coupé sibling,” explained Jochen Goller.
“The MINI Paceman Concept aims to deliver a particularly emotional driving experience and demonstrates this ability in a style typical of the brand. I believe we are offering clear evidence of how totally new vehicle concepts can still be developed through unconventional creativity,” he concluded.
