Here we have the latest model to arrive on the Mini showroom floor and, yes, she’s a little beauty. Mini have themselves quite a line-up of interesting and intriguing models, and this newest kid on the block shows Mini’s (or should that be BMW’s) hand of innovation is still fresh and creative. What I love about this new model is found in the rear seats – but more about that later. First of all let’s talk about the rounder design and the quirky interior, along with the go power that lies under the hood. All-in-all, the Mini Paceman is irresistibly fun to drive.

What you’d call the Mini Paceman design would have to be that of a Coupe version of a Mini Countryman. The result is a gorgeous, chic exterior that will appeal to all ladies and any young-to-older men who have any sort of hip hop-come-modern techno beat pumping inside their veins. Few small cars on Australian roads will be able to pull the onlooker with the same sort of hipnostic gaze as you’ll find the Mini Paceman being able to do with incredible ease. Mini have lowered the Paceman’s suspension ride height and stuck with the same long Countryman road presence, which actually sets the car up with a really cool, racy look. Also one noticeable feature of the later Mini shapes, is that their edges are very smooth and rounded. Fit and finish of the late Mini cars is superb, and it shows the prowess BMW have in their ability to make quality cars. A brand new set of horizontal taillights, the choice of eight body finishes, two roof colours and six light alloy wheels in four colours provides an amazing capacity for the proud new Mini Paceman owner to have their car looking and feeling decidedly unique.

Slip inside any plucky Mini Paceman, and you are sitting in one of the funkiest cabins you’ll find in any new car. Situated in the centre of the bulbous, bulgy dash is a sphere shaped high definition display screen that keeps you informed on all the interesting bits about your journey’s progress. Bluetooth and USB functions, electronic power steering, air conditioning, an electronic vehicle immobiliser and a cool Start/Stop button add to the comfort and style of a Mini Paceman. A Voice Control package is available as an option, while a satellite navigation system and a Hi-Fi Harman Kardon audio system are other features you might like to kit out your Paceman at an extra cost. Actually, the list of optional extras is quite large, however, the standard equipment on-board the Mini Cooper Paceman seems first rate, and it looks as if BMW have done their homework very well.

Now I mentioned about the rear seats. Two magnificently stately seats kit out the seating arrangements for occupants seated in the rear. Roomy and comfortable, the sculptured rear seats envelope you for a genuine, relaxed trip. They have the same feeling of grandeur that you might find with the two seats in a BMW X6 – only a little more restricted.

The Mini Cooper Paceman stages a gutsy 1.6-litre petrol engine under the hood. Sprightly performance can get you from 0-100 km/h in as little as 10.4 seconds. If you prefer a diesel option, then there are two options. A very frugal 1.6-litre diesel powers the Mini Cooper D Paceman, while a sporty 2.0-litre diesel unit powers the Mini Cooper SD Paceman. The SD manages the 0-100 km/h sprint in 9.2 seconds. But if sport is all you want, then it will be the Mini Cooper S Paceman that will tickle your fancy, no doubt. The 1.6-litre turbo petrol engine takes just over seven seconds to complete the zero to “sorry officer” dash. No doubt the John Cooper Works edition will be available shortly too – which will be even quicker and boasting AWD traction.

As with all modern Mini’s the Mini Paceman boasts a five-star safety result and front-wheel-drive handling that sits with the best. For a car that offers so much style and fun, the Paceman punches well above its weight.

The current Mini Paceman models include the:

• Mini Cooper Paceman
• Mini Cooper S Paceman
• Mini Cooper D Paceman
• Mini Cooper SD Paceman

For any more information on the new Mini Paceman or, for that matter, any other new car, contact one of our friendly consultants on 1300 303 181. If you’d like some fleet discount pricing (yes even for private buyers!), we can submit vehicle quote requests out to our national network of BMW/Mini dealers and come back with pricing within 24 hours. Private Fleet – car buying made easy!

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