Mini Cooper Paceman pairs sport with sense of style
PONCE, PUERTO RICO — Frankly, I don’t know if Mini’s choice of Puerto Rico as the venue for its Paceman was intended to discern the capabilities of the company’s newest model or the intestinal fortitude of those of us who got to drive it.
The route north from Ponce, Puerto Rico’s secondlargest city, to the capital in San Juan, very quickly took us into the Cordillera Central, the mountain range that extends across the interior of the island. With rough, cratered tarmac that pounded the suspension, dozens of twisting and decreasing radius blind curves, stray dogs, the occasional chicken with a death wish and locals who tended to drive in the centre of the road, it was as much a test of my reflexes (and the capacity to keep down breakfast) as it was the car’s.
For a niche brand, Mini has shown remarkable tenacity in expanding its product range. The Paceman, which the company touts as the world’s first sports activity coupe (SAC) for the premium small and compact segment, is the seventh model in its family. For those familiar with Mini’s lineup, the Paceman is essentially a two-door version of the four-door Countryman — the brand’s largest model and, until the addition of the Paceman, the only Mini with available All4 all-wheel drive.
Initially, there will be two Paceman versions for Canada — a base Mini Cooper and the mid-level Cooper S All4, both of which should be in dealerships sometime next month. These two will be followed a month or so later by the topline John Cooper Works (JCW) All4.
The front-wheel-drive Mini Cooper is powered by a naturally aspirated, 121-horsepower 1.6-litre four-cylinder. Equipped with a standard six-speed manual, Mini says this version will hit 100 kilometres an hour in 10.6 seconds and deliver a combined fuel economy rating of 6.6 litres per 100 km.
The Cooper S Paceman All4 is equipped with a more potent 181-hp 1.6L four-cylinder with twin-scroll turbo charger, direct injection and fully variable valve management technology. The Cooper S comes standard with Mini’s All4 permanent AWD system and, says the company, will power to 100 km/h in 7.8 seconds and post a combined fuel economy rating of 7.3 L/100 km with the manual transmission.
The JCW Paceman All4 is fitted with Mini’s high-performance, turbocharged, 208hp 1.6L four. Regardless of transmission, Mini says this model will accelerate to 100 km/h in 6.9 seconds.
That more or less takes care of the “what” and the “where.” The more pressing question is “why?”
The closest answer, at least what could be discerned from host Mini USA’s marketing presentations, seems to be because the Paceman is seen as a unique blend of hatchback, coupe and sports activity vehicle that is a sportier, less family-oriented and more youthful counterpoint to the popular but practical fourdoor Countryman.
This makes it an ideal fit with the company’s “Not Normal” brand image and marketing campaign. It also helps the new model’s cause that more people are buying smaller cars and are willing to pay more for quality and content.
Slightly longer and lower than the similar-looking Countryman, the 4.1-metrelong Paceman profiles a coupe-like silhouette and is dressed in different sheet metal from the windshield pillar back. Another feature is the rear lights, which are horizontal in design, a first for Mini. The Paceman is also the first Mini to be identified by a rear nameplate.
Designed to carry four, there are two “lounge” seats in the rear. Folding down the rear seats expands the cargo capacity from 11.6 cubic feet to a maximum 38.1.
As to whether the Paceman delivers Mini’s hallmark gokart feeling, as the company contends, the answer is “sort of.”
Puerto Rico’s mountain roads provided a rather extreme workout for the Cooper S All4 test car. And, to be fair, it did deliver prodigious grip for an XL-sized Mini — aided and abetted by the sophisticated all-wheel-drive system. But, with its added weight and higher ground clearance, it simply can’t match the crisp, ballerina-like agility of the smaller hardtop hatchback.
The turbo four had plenty of grunt to haul the 1,479-kilogram SAV out of tight corners, yet it was hampered by the user-unfriendly nature of the paddle shifters, which are of the old-style push/ pull type instead of the more practical left-to-downshift/ right-to-upshift ones. It’s also worth noting the Paceman comes standard with a lowered sports suspension — great for hooning around on smoother surfaces, but punishing on bad roads.
On the highway, the car hummed along quite contentedly, easily keeping up with traffic and well capable of passing acceleration — even with three adults aboard.
What it lacks in Mini handling dynamics, it compensates with image, interior volume and all-season grip. While I don’t believe it will sell in large numbers, it furthers the company’s reputation as a purveyor of unique, youthful cars for those who think a little differently.
Pricing for the Paceman starts at $26,800 for the base model, $31,200 for the Cooper S All4 and $39,600 for the JCW All4.