Official Release: The MINI JCW Paceman Debuts in Europe

MINI is currently launching the MINI JCW Paceman to the European press and has taken the opportunity to drop a boat-load of new images of the car. And we’re taking the opportunity to bring them to you. Check out the gallery and the rest of the official press release after the break. And look for the R61 to hit US dealers by the end of March with the JCW version coming later this spring.
Official Release: The MINI John Cooper Works Paceman combines mouthwatering sporting flair and inimitable style to usher in a new dimension in driving fun. The seventh top-class athlete in the John Cooper Works range blends the overall concept of the first Sports Activity Coupé in its class with powertrain and chassis technology developed on the back of extensive motor sport expertise and the standard presence of ALL4 all-wheel drive. The driver and passengers can lap up the resultant sensation of race competition and the interior’s characteristic sports car ambience from four individual seats.
A new addition to the compact segment: a Sports Activity Coupé with a racing flavour.
The MINI John Cooper Works Paceman takes to the stage as the stand-out sporting tool in a new category of car. The new model sees the compact Sports Activity Coupé concept wrapped up in an extra layer of muscular proportions and dynamically stretched lines.
The performance-maxing character of the MINI John Cooper Works Paceman is further emphasised by an aerodynamic kit, which features as standard alongside lowered sports suspension and 18-inch light-alloy wheels. The selection of exterior paint finishes includes Chili Red, which can also be specified – exclusively on the John Cooper Works model – as a contrast shade for the roof and exterior mirror caps, as well as for the Sport Stripes.
Engine and gearbox: top performance as standard, automatic transmission optional.
The 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine powering the MINI John Cooper Works Paceman boasts a twin-scroll turbocharger, petrol direct injection and variable valve control based on the BMW Group’s VALVETRONIC technology. It develops output of 160 kW/218 hp and peak torque of 280 Newton metres (207 lb-ft), which can be increased to 300 Newton metres (221 lb-ft) for short periods between 2,100 and 4,500 rpm courtesy of the overboost function. The sports exhaust system provides this power delivery with a suitably stirring soundtrack.
The engine sends its power through a six-speed manual gearbox as standard, although a six-speed automatic is also available as an option. The MINI John Cooper Works Paceman sprints from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 6.9 seconds – with either gearbox – on the way to a top speed of 226 km/h / 140 mph (manual) or 224 km/h / 139 mph (automatic). The engine’s inherent efficiency and extensive MINIMALISM technology ensure exceptionally low fuel consumption and emissions for this output class. The MINI John Cooper Works Paceman posts average fuel consumption of 7.4 litres per 100 kilometres / 38.2 mpg imp (automatic: 7.9 l/100 km / 35.8 mpg imp) and CO2 emissions of 172 grams (automatic: 184 grams) per kilometre in the EU test cycle.
ALL4 all-wheel drive delivers unbeatable poise, assurance and sporting ability.
The MINI John Cooper Works Paceman sends its extreme engine power to the road through all four wheels. Its ALL4 all-wheel-drive system uses an electromagnetic centre differential to distribute drive seamlessly between the front and rear axles – and, in so doing, optimises traction, driving stability and agility through dynamically taken corners.
Chassis modifications to the MINI John Cooper Works Paceman include firmly tuned springs and dampers, strengthened anti-roll bars, a 10-millimetre lower ride height and a braking system with red callipers. The DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) system comprises DTC (Dynamic Traction Control) mode, and the standard Sport Button allows the driver to tweak the engine’s responses and soundtrack, as well as the power assistance provided by the steering.
Interior with lounge-style surroundings and sports car ambience.
The MINI John Cooper Works Paceman lays on four seats and 330 litres of boot capacity. The two rear seat backrests can be folded down individually, increasing the amount of load space to as much as 1,080 litres. These individual seats give the rear compartment a lounge-like ambience to go with the cockpit’s typically John Cooper Works sports car environment. Central features up front include bespoke sports seats, a sports steering wheel, interior trim strips in Piano Black, an anthracite-coloured roof liner and dark-coloured dials for the speedometer and rev counter.
Standard specification also features air conditioning and the MINI Boost CD radio, while the optional extras available for the regular MINI Paceman, MINI Connected technology, model-specific options and John Cooper Works accessories provide an extra boost to comfort and individuality.
9 Comments
<p>Nice enough looking vehicle, but at the 40K + price-point I just can’t see making a case for it. It is almost into Audi TT territory and at that price a Golf R could be tuned to run circles around it with ease.
You woud really have to want it for a reason other than performance to buy it…..</p>
<p>status</p>
<p><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PELhcw_RZY8" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PELhcw_RZY8</a></p>
<p>At that price you could start looking at a BMW X1.</p>
<p>I would like to see some
tests of both the Countryman JCW and the Paceman JCW, as the ones I have seen
have been rather “inconclusive” as to what the testers really think
in terms of just how MINI has “packaged” the car. Several tests conclude
that MINI fails to position the car as a credible performance package – and
charges too much for it. If that is the case, then MINI has a potential issue.
The immediate problem seems to be the lack of performance coupled with a price
tag that is too steep. In addition, the build quality of the car has to be (in
all fairness) just “average” – leaving a bit of a gap if MINI wants
to fight with the likes of VW, Audi and Mercedes etc. that in my view have a
better build quality (owning the R60 MCS All4 myself, I should be in a
reasonably good position to compare…).
I guess my key question would be: Do we have to wait for the 2.0l JCW engine to
be allocated to the car, which I would guess would do little good for the price
tag or the build quality – or do we have to see the “real” mid-life
update before something substantial to happen???</p>
<p>Looking at the configurator, I think it would be nice if some of the red accents for the JCW would be available for the people who just want to spec an “S”. There aren’t many choices there for the Paceman compared to the regular MINI. I would like to see a cloth seat option as opposed to the leatherette too.</p>
<p>I’d settle for just having some color (non-Red) options for dressing up the sides of the center stack. It’s kinda a cool look.</p>
<p>Not the worse design until I got to the side on picture. Not sure what it is with that angle but not an appealing shape at all to my eye.</p>