Roger that. MINI is a brand. They want to slap a MINI badge on a semi truck, it's just a brand. There are a lot of things about MINI's that make them preferable to some people over other brands besides their diminutive stature. Very few cars built by other manufacturers have the same character.

 

True. The 6-speed manual Countryman All-4 I test-drove last year felt like a sled compared to my (tuned) hardtop. But my wife's All-4 auto actually feels more spunky. I'm sure the Paceman won't have the zip of my MCS, but hey, that's what test drives are for, right?

 

It's funny: Every non-MINI owner I know sees my Countryman and says, "It's so small!" Every MINI owner I know sees my Countryman and says, "It's so big!"* It's all a matter of perspective, I guess.



*"That's what she said."

 

+1

 

Unfortunately I am so new at posting here, as opposed to professionally observing this site for awhile (see also:lurking) and the one day I go directly to the MINI dealer to see the new Paceman and take pictures is the day I cannot figure out how to post pictures of it :/ pardon my lack of proper NAM etiquette. I hope this works! Blazing Red Paceman All4!

 

3 More images, just to add to the eventual inventory...

 

It worked.

Red/Black, with the blacked-out headlights -- that's one of my two color prefs, the other being Starlight Blue/White. Gotta see these things in person to decide!

 

My first impression is that it looks like a fine car but think it looks similar to a lot of other small SUV looking cars. I don't know about the drive and i am sure it is like any mini - great ride. However, having said that it just doesn't look mini enough. Take that with a grain of salt. I like the traditional mini styling of the hatch and countryman. The cool thing about these cars is going to be the more "dated" they look the cooler they are going to look. The mini is never going to become the "fish bowl" Pacer of yesteryear

 

I believe I read in one of the car mags that they think the Paceman will eliminate the center speedo ...... OH NO SAY IT AINT SO. I hope they don't. Love it or hate it .... it is miniesque. Oh well if they do our center spedometer will be a collector's item. Glad I bought this year

 

😄😄😄

 

Are the seats in the Paceman different than the other minis, maybe larger it looks like?

 

Yup, and if what I've read is correct it's only 45lbs. lighter too...

Nevertheless the lines look great to me and the JCW model is awesome!



I'm not ready for it yet, but if it gets the new pumped up 300hp 2.0L with DCT mentioned HERE in 2014-15 then I'll have to consider upgrading to a Paceman All4 JCW.

 

One thing that I did note in my experience was that the old expression 'photographs do not do it justice' glaringly applies here. After first having an introduction when it was debuted at Los Angeles Auto Show last fall, and only having a brief moment to experience it under show lights, I walked away unimpressed. However once I experienced it in a natural real-world setting I backtracked immediately. The lines on it are fresh and its a good idea for those on the fence to just take a moment and go late in the afternoon when the reflections and lines will be most visible (called the Magic Hour) and take it off the lot and park it down the road at another place not surrounded by a dealership but by a grocery store or gas station or anywhere else and take a step back and take it in. It really sold me and I look forward to upgrading soon, but the photos of just the regular press angles (rear 3/4, side, front, front 3/4) just dont work. Nor the staged photos released in their press release. Fair warning to those who have issues with larger two-door vehicles, this things doors are large and you have to be aware of whats around you. The rear seats for my 6'0 frame erred on the smaller-than-a-countryman side but that raking roof is just exciting to say the least. More photos from the LA show when I saw it in Bronze then

 

I wonder if they will ever offer the Countryman and Paceman in All4 non-turbo form?

Maybe with the larger 2.0L engine. Fingers crossed and watching closely...

Looks good in "Rootbeer".

 

A couple of interesting facts that I was told by my MA, the p a c e m a n that we have all seen across the rear of the car (much to serious criticism) will be removed if you opt for the center racing stripes. Thats why you are not seeing it on the dealer demos. Also for the West coast, the earliest they will be selling the Paceman is first week of next month. Also I came across a good video review and I highly suggest seeing the new blue move through this video. Its really pleasant. [YOUTUBE]

 

I was hoping that was the case with the wording on the back. I'm getting the center stripes. I have already ordered mine though and it's sitting at the port waiting to get shipped over. I'm expecting to take delivery on March 6.

 

I saw a couple on a car carier out front of the Mini dealer here... they looked good from a distance. not my thing, but they should be fun for those that want them.

 

Watching that video, I was surprised that he says the All4 ground clearance is LESS than the standard Mini Hardtop.

To that I say

 

I think he was delivering a misinformed translation at that with the paceman, and the sport suspension with the 19" optional wheels. The ride height is not actually that of a cooper, the entire suspension system is a carryover from the smaller cooper variants but imagine the structure is beefed up and does sit taller, otherwise they wouldnt be able to do the 17 & 18" wheel combinations that they offer let alone take the 19" option seriously.
Also when they developed this and the Countryman to handle the ALL4 system, it was with the intent for a taller ride height for different light off road situations that arise.
What they then did was offer the option of the sport suspension that could lower it for those that still want a more MINI familiar ride that you get in the Cooper or Clubman, I think, by just under a half inch. (which still gives more room for lowering when the JCW arrives)

Which then begs me to ask the question, why did they only do a press drive event with the 19" wheels, because the only way you can get them is IF you opt for the sport suspension? So press will walk away thinking all Paceman will be that sporty feeling when they drive? Maybe that new blue with those wheels just looks really good, but I will be more interested in seeing all the variants as they arrive.

 

I like the idea of a 3 door with AWD...just wish it were lower to the ground.

 

Yeah, his comment could also be the result of a stated ground clearance in some statistic chart, who knows? there might be a single component that is lower on the All4 that warrants the comment, but the vehicle itself is not really lower???

I've always dreamed of a GP-Style low 300hp AWD Mini Cooper Hardtop! Not likely anytime soon...

 

Me too. But a suped up JCW Paceman might be the next best thing. With a full 3" downpipe-back exhaust, FMIC, Aquamist HFS-3/4, and custom tune, you could probably get >260 hp/tq. Would be fun in an AWD platform.

 

Heh -- 4-wheel burn-outs!

 

Def waiting on the 2.0 engine and new tranny... glad I checked here first

 

I wouldn't hold my breath for that ... all of seen so far about MINI making a bigger motor is wild speculation and wishful thinking.