The Paceman to Arrive in Late 2012
We’ve known for some time that the Paceman would be built and in Magna Steyr’s Austrian plant (along side the Countryman). But until today we didn’t know exactly when. The Austrian newspaper Kleine Zeitung is reporting that BMW development head Klaus Draeger expects the Paceman to hit dealer showrooms in late 2012 as a 2013 model.
BMW expects to move around 20,000 of the “sport activity coupes” or about 20% of what the Countryman does annually. What about changes to the car from the concept? The two big ones we know about will be two suicide doors giving rear passengers excellent access to the two seats in the back. Otherwise expect the Countryman based interior to be largely carried over.
But what about the name?
While nothing has been finalized we know one thing, it won’t be called the Paceman. But more on that later.
<p>Wish that were this autumn instead of next. We’re going to likely do a Countryman when my wife’s lease runs out in October, but I’d much rather have one of these in All4 trim. Oh well.</p>
<p>Ugh why! I still haven’t seen a good reason for this car to exist. It doesn’t even look like it’s part of the Mini brand.</p>
<p>It’s okay to have different models within car manufacturer’s lineup. Variety is the spice of life.</p>
<p>While this isn’t my cup of tea either, if you had your way, Chris, there’d also be no Coupe. And that, my friend, would be a real shame. I’m so looking forward to the Coupe!</p>
<p>Viva la differance!</p>
<p>Paceman is the worst name ever. Glad it is shedding this name.</p>
<p>Any chance of a 5-door?</p>
<p>Huh? The Countryman is the 5 door…DOH! dragged in again..</p>
<p>I vote for a “hide comments” button..</p>
<p>@Nathaniel, you should take a good look at the VW Golf R next fall. Promises to be a really fantastic car. Or check out a used 2008 R32 now. Great deals to be had out there on what is a pretty special AWD coupe with a spectacular DCT transmission and one of the best exhaust notes in the business (a.k.a. the “Chewbacca Howl”.)</p>
<p>Jon – the coupe looks great! I can’t wait for it either. I think that perfectly fills a niche that is missing in the Mini lineup.</p>
<p>This thing on the other hand isn’t filling any niche. Who saw this and thought “YES, that’s exactly what Mini is missing!”??</p>
<p>Any word about this being the death of the Clubman? Sure hope not but with this news I wouldn’t be surprised.</p>
<blockquote>Any chance of a 5-door?</blockquote>
<p>The Paceman will be available with two rear Club Doors–so yes.</p>
<blockquote>Any word about this being the death of the Clubman? Sure hope not but with this news I wouldn’t be surprised.</blockquote>
<p>I came to this conclusion in an ealier post. I was wrong. The answer is no. There will be a Countryman, a Paceman (or whatever it will be called), and a Clubman, all built on the R60 platform in Austria. The Spacebox–whatever that is going to be, is to be built on this platform too.</p>
<p>I am very interested to see the next generation Clubman!</p>
<p>Well, there goes the Clubman!</p>
<blockquote>Well, there goes the Clubman!</blockquote>
<p>Start with <a href="https://www.motoringfile.com/2011/01/10/the-paceman-is-a-go-for-production/#comment-648936" rel="nofollow">my comment</a> on this previous post, and read <a href="https://www.motoringfile.com/2011/01/10/the-paceman-is-a-go-for-production/#comment-648997" rel="nofollow">Gabe’s reaction</a> and that of <a href="https://www.motoringfile.com/2011/01/10/the-paceman-is-a-go-for-production/#comment-649674" rel="nofollow">herr26</a>.</p>
<p>This bodes well for those of us who want more of a wagon than a CUV or whatever you want to call the Countryman and Paceman. Having said that, I’d gladly take <a href="https://www.motoringfile.com/2011/01/26/rumor-mini-to-release-wrc-edition-countryman/" / rel="nofollow">this</a> over the Clubman.</p>
<p>The Clubman 2 will be built on the UKL1 modular platform, which it will share with the next generation BMW 1-series FWD models beginning in 2014. According to BMW’s chairman Norbert Reithoffer, ‘At the bottom of the BMW range, FWD will step-by-step supersede RWD, and come 2017/18 all 1-series will be FWD’. A company insider is reported to have said that ‘This might be a culture shock to some, but it is the only way to meet packaging, weight and consumption targets’.</p>
<p>For each and every 1-series FWD model, BMW is reportedly planning a Mini variant sharing underpinnings and mechanics, but wearing a different set of clothes to maintain each brand’s separate identity. This stratagy should double the group’s output, ultimately increasing production by over a million units per year.</p>
<p>Ok, so it just seems to me that maybe this IS the new Clubman. “The two big ones we know about will be two suicide doors giving rear passengers excellent access to the two seats in the back.” Isn’t the next Clubman going to have that as well? I might be wrong but it seems like they are showing us the new clubman to test the waters without calling it the new Clubman.</p>
<p>Matt – Clubman 2 is reportedly due to be launched in 2015, carrying on the design cues of the present Clubman with a near vertical rear end, but it will be longer and have two ‘suicide’ doors.</p>
<p>The ‘Paceman’ is effectively a coupe Countryman, and perhaps it would be appropriate to name it the Countryman GT</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Ok, so it just seems to me that maybe this IS the new Clubman.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>The Clubman will continue with a taller profile and two barn doors for the next generation. As Nick mentions the Paceman could be considered a Clubman GT is BMW speak.</p>
<p>Glad to hear about droppingthe name Paceman…MINI has just too many “…man” models…time to break the mold (despite history). Given the intended market niche maybe something like MINI “Style” or MINI “Hip” (which probably divulges my age group!)</p>
<p>keep those suggestions coming! EMZ</p>
<blockquote>you should take a good look at the VW Golf R next fall. Promises to be a really fantastic car. Or check out a used 2008 R32 now. Great deals to be had out there on what is a pretty special AWD coupe with a spectacular DCT transmission and one of the best exhaust notes in the business (a.k.a. the “Chewbacca Howlâ€.)</blockquote>
<p>Sorry but I have looked at a R32…Its much more cramped than a MINI, It has an inexplicably large center console that gets wider at the base. I will gladly take a center speedo over that hideous tartan interior and complete lack of options in general make a VW just one of a million others produced exactly like it. Oh and you can keep your DSG for the reasons here <a href="URL" rel="nofollow">https://www.motoringfile.com/2010/09/28/keep-your-dsg-ill-take-a-manual/</a> besides the recall issues on the DSG … I am quite confident that the DSG just represents sky high repair bills when they begin to fail en masse prior to 150k. When it comes to exhaust, I will take the burble over chewbaca any day….So, I will take a pass on the VW kool-aid!</p>
<p>And I will say it again…If I had to choose today between a 2dr Paceman and a 2dr Cooper….I would choose the Paceman because it will offer more room (still smaller in than a golf!) yet still be a great handling, sporty and fun to drive car. If raw performance was my desire I would likely not choose a MINI anyway, but if I did it would be the R58 Coupe not the R56. So if anyone is to question a model offering, which i think is silly, the question should be why should the R56 exist not whether the Paceman should exist. Personally I am happy for MINI to offer as many variations as possible, whether or not its a good fit for me or not!</p>
<p>I hope they get the four wheel ( all4) done since the concept did not even come with a 4 wheel drive.</p>
<p>I was hoping to get a peak at the compact 4 wheel, but I guess it shares the same as the countryman.</p>
<p>Lots of loctite…</p>
<p><a href="http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=ZC51&mospid=52594&btnr=33_1556&hg=33&fg=05" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=ZC51&mospid=52594&btnr=33_1556&hg=33&fg=05</a></p>
<p>Pic of missing All 4:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/83767992@N00/5366870343/" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.flickr.com/photos/83767992@N00/5366870343/</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/83767992@N00/5367481078/in/photostream/" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.flickr.com/photos/83767992@N00/5367481078/in/photostream/</a></p>
<p>Can someone tell me if the green color of the 2013 Paceman that showed at the 2011 Detroit autoshow will be offered on the 2013 Countryman?</p>
<p>Sweet!!!!!My warranty on my 09MCS will be up around then…….</p>
p><b>@dr</b The suggestion to look into the VW R cars was not directed at you, but… I’ve been driving my R53 JCW+ and Mark V R32 back-to-back for a couple of weeks now and I’ve got to disagree with you on a few, ok all, fronts.</p>
<ul>
<li><p>R32 is more cramped? This is just crazy talk and I will largely ignore it. The R32 interior is MUCH larger and more comfortable for driver, passengers and cargo. No comparison.</p></li>
<li><p>Burble versus Wookie is a tough call and I can appreciate that this is a to-each-his-own kind of thing, but in addition to the WOT howl you also have that amazing deep NA “breath” as you back off the throttle, which reminds me of the time I spent driving a Cobra for a few days. For me, for now, the wookie wins.</p></li>
<li><p>Hideous Tartan interior? The R32 came with charcoal leather only and it is as nice as any I’ve planted my @ss in. The rest of the interior design is subtle, functional and clean. I’d say Mini interiors to date have been closer to the “hideous” end of the design spectrum.</p></li>
<li><p>I am not a DSG convert yet and still love to get back in the Mini and work the left foot, but I have to say it is growing on me. Takes quite a while to adapt to it, but once you do, the ability to always keep both hands at 9 and 3 and fully focus on braking with the right foot seems to be a good and safe thing. The R32 DSG has a 10/100k warranty so I’m feeling fine on that front. I’ll be out and on to another great vehicle within a couple of years as life is way too short.</p></li>
<li><p>All that being said, the R has a totally different feel from the R53. Much more a smooth Autobahn missile than a buzzing tossable toy. But I’m assuming that gap will be much smaller versus this much larger and heavier Paceman thing.</p></li>
<li><p>So, I’m just saying… if anyone is seriously considering this Paceman or Countryman AWD likely for north of $30k, they should look at the new Golf R. The GTI on which it is based was Automobile magazine’s 2010 Car of the Year (they even like the DSG.) And if you want a bargain, look at a used 2008 R32. $20k will buy you a LOT of car.</p></li>
</ul>
<p>the problem with the ~08 r32 is that it was powered by a thirst, nose-heavy V6. and it has the DSG. that’s the end of the argument as far as i’m personally concerned. no 3rd pedal = no interest.</p>
<p>the latest r on the other-hand, that’s a tempting proposition…</p>
<blockquote>the latest r on the other-hand, that’s a tempting proposition…</blockquote>
<p>Thank you. My point exactly.</p>
<p>Totally agree on the cons of the R32, but if your budget tops out at $20k, it is worth a look and drive.</p>
<p>Jesus. I don’t even like VWs all that much…</p>
<p>Suicide doors, why!? Aside from liking its appearance over the Countryman I also want a two door non-soccer mom version; which is what the concept is. I was afraid that the production version would lose its edge. It will likely be a deal breaker for me if it is a lopsided only on the passenger side deal like the Clubman.
As to the name, I am not fond of the name but what will the new name be? Considering recent history, Crossman to Countryman, it will go from Paceman to Lil’buck-a-roo.</p>
<p>Just not finding the love.</p>
<p>I actually like the Paceman concept far better than the Clubman… All4 + two big doors is much more attractive to me, but IMO adding suicide leaf doors is overkill and will ruin the super clean lines.</p>