Mini Paceman pushes design boundaries

When it comes to looks, the jury is still out, but it's what's under the bonnet that counts.

BMW says it has created an entirely new product with this "Sports Activity Coupe" because it is the first of its kind in the premium compact segment of the market.

"Different" it certainly is, but fans of this compact icon will be delighted to hear that although the looks have drastically changed, deep down the Paceman still has the fiery spirit and sporty qualities which characterised Mini over the years.

Under the stubby bonnets of the five-model Paceman you will find the same two 1.6 turbo-fed engines that powers the rest of the Mini gang - the 90kW Cooper and the punchier 135kW Cooper S. An even hotter JCW version (155kW) will arrive in this country within a few months.

Mixed reception

Like the Countryman (which also received a rather mixed reception when it first arrived, but now ranks as the second highest-selling Mini) the Paceman is also based on BMW's X1 platform. Being a three-door, it joins the Mini hatchback, Roadster and Coupé and the suits at BMW are hoping that it will follow the sales pattern of the countryman.

The Paceman has some appealing features.

The Paceman has some appealing features; it is a full four-seater and claimed to be a capable soft-roader in standard format and can even be ordered with an All4 all-wheel-drive set-up.

At the local media launch we didn't get the opportunity to put dust and grime on the Paceman's shiny new paintwork because our route was confined to long stretches of tarred highway, winding country roads and lovely twisty mountains sections. And it was through the mountain passes and curving country roads where the Paceman displayed it abilities to deliver the special kind of driving pleasure the brand has become renowned for over the years.

At last - an alternative at no extra cost!

It grips the tar with affection and the steering is sharp. The combination of fairly hard suspension, large (for Mini) low profiles and old, rough tar in places made for a harsh ride at times and through fast corners the steering felt quite jumpy. Sports suspension is standard although regular suspension, which offers a higher, gentler ride is an option that costs no extra.

The Paceman seats four, but the rear space is not the biggest around.

Both the Cooper and the Cooper S versions offer the choice between a six-speed manual box or a six-speed auto with Steptronic and although I preferred the manual version, those who will buy a Paceman for its looks, style, cabin space and comfort will probably opt for the pricier auto shift.

Being offered only as a four-seater the Paceman has four individual seats and the individual rear seats are easily accessible through the wide-opening front doors although rear space is a tad confined.

The jury is still out when it comes to looks

The cabin is pure Countryman, but with certain alterations and improvements. For instance, the door window controls have been moved from their usual place on the centre console to the doors and now a central rail runs through the cabin which gives handy storage space for accessories.

The door window controls have been moved from their usual place on the centre console to the doors.

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As to be expected the Paceman has a wide range of bells and whistles in the comfort, driver assistance and safety departments, including an army of airbags, power steering, stability control, aircon, audio and plug-in kit. In addition a Sport button is an optional extra (and well worth the fun it brings to the Paceman), as are a sunroof, heated seats, a fancier sound system and adaptive headlights.

All hunky dory then, or is it? When it comes to looks, the jury is still out. The steeply sloping roof is quite cool and so is the integrated roof spoiler, the attractive alloys and the black, flared wheel arches, but the bulbous nose, big Paceman lettering on the boot and the unattractive and totally non-Mini horizontal rear lights look like an afterthought stick-on.

The central rail that runs through the cabin gives handy storage space for accessories.

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Carmakers go to extremes to create new niche models and this precisely what BMW has tried with the Paceman, just as they did with the X6. Whether this is just a down-scaled and less expensive X6 in the making and whether it will catch on, only time and sales will tell. There are no obvious competitors to the Paceman other than maybe the less expensive and less thrilling Nissan Juke. It will be interesting to see whether the Paceman is going to live up to it name and "set the pace" for yet another niche market segment.

The Paceman Coopers cost between R296,500 and R312,600 while the Cooper S versions range from R357,500 to R405,500.

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