Good afternoon sirs and madams,

I drove to the nearest dealership last Saturday to test drive a Mini Cooper S (though I planned to get a JCW) to get a good feel for the car. As it turns out, all they had available for demo cars at the time was a MCS Hardtop with an auto, or a CMS AWD. Out of curiosity more than anything (and because I'd never buy an automatic, period), I ended up testing the Countryman instead.

While even the S definitely doesn't have enough power (imo), I was still fairly impressed with the thing. I prefer the front-end design over that of the current hardtop, and see the addition of AWD as a massive plus due to my Wisconsin residency. With the JCW version set to come this winter, I was debating whether or not it's truly the route I want to go -- but at heart, I'd still prefer something a little faster.

And that's where the Paceman comes into the picture. Same aggressive front-end, the addition of AWD for my winter needs, and almost certainly a notch or two faster than its four-door brethren. As far as I can tell, they still sound like they'll hit the production line around the same time as the 2013 Countryman -- but how long until they see the same JCW treatment?

I'd like to be optimistic and hope that since it shares the same motor and much of the same mechanics as the CM, there's a slight chance of it managing a Q1 2013 release. As unlikely as that is, though, what's the traditional wait time between a new model's launch and it's JCW release?

 

It's taken them 2 years to make a JCW CM, so I wouldn't expect it too soon. One thing MINI has done well from a business standpoint is stagger releases of the various models. If you're impatient, you can add various aftermarket bits to a Paceman (or Countryman Coupe, as they're calling it now) to make it faster than the JCW will be, though you'll sacrifice a good bit of your warranty.

If you're the kind of person that likes modifying cars, get the CM Coupe S and mod it. If the warranty is important, you could be waiting for a while.

 

Also the JCW Countryman isn't even out yet! You see lots of pictures of it, but there isn't even official pricing. I'd imagine it'll be a while.

 

The JCW Countryman is set to be produced in November....so I would expect pricing to be released in early to mid December just before they arrive at dealerships

 

MY JCW Countryman is set to be built next week (hopefully)!!!

I too would probably prefer the Paceman (love the more aggressive look) but need a JCW (S nice power delivery with ALL4 on curves, definitely lacking in straight acceleration). So I couldnt wait another year or so for a Paceman JCW.

 

Should see JCW Countryman in a MINI Show Room near you come January.

 

Looks like March 2013.

according to this http://www.motoringfile.com/2012/12/...i-jcw-paceman/

wasn't too into the stockness shown... had to photoshop mod it

damn this thing is the hotness...


now just put a M engine it and I'm sold

 

 

Nice job! Got a photoshopped rear to share? I hate the rear on the factory Paceman.

 

Actually I do.



oh and what the heck... here's a side view



p.s. my wife thinks I'm crazy

 

Great job! It looks so much better lowered, blacked out, and with less badges. Especially glad to see you got rid of the "P A C E M A N" on the rear. That was my least favorite part. Great minds think alike, I guess. It looks like a Volvo C30, but better.

You're kind of making me dream of trading in my Countryman for one of these things. I think I'd do a gray body and black roof, though.

Tell you're wife you have fans on NAM! Keep up the good work!

 

Dez, your not nuts. I like it, great job. If only!

Don

 

haha thanks guys.

Yeah Hujan it does kinda look like the C30 ... but better

yeah all the chromo had to go... especially the P A C E M A N... I hope its easy to take off in real life

 

....thinking I saw somewhere that the 2 door Paceman is slightly heavier than the 4 door Countryman. Kinda kills off the faster performing hopes even though it does look lots faster.

My $.02.

 

According to whet was said in the article on Motorfile, the Paceman is 45 lbs lighter than the 4-door version. Same would be true with JCW.

 

Yup, looks like they moved straight to offering the Paceman JCW out of the gate in March.

At $36,200 to start it looks like we'll have to plan on $40K OTD at a minimum once equiped to personal taste. Ouch!

I'll be driving my '12 MCa for a few years more while watching others live the dream...