World Premier: 2015 MINI Paceman Refresh

Fresh off of the light refresh of the Countryman MINI has turned its attention to the Paceman. But lets cut straight to what you want to know. Every part of the Countryman’s refresh is seen in the Paceman (detailed below). New trim, colors, grille design and sound deadening. The only exception is that the Paceman doesn’t get the Countryman’s silver trim seen on the All4 model of the Countryman. The refreshed Paceman should hit showrooms in July or August depending on where you are in the world.
Official Release: Fresh stimuli for the first Sports Activity Coupé in the premium compact segment; the new MINI Paceman underscores its exceptional standing as a sporty, elegant individualist with fresh design details, increased driving performance figures, further optimised efficiency, innovative equipment features and refined premium characteristics in the interior; pioneering automobile concept of a compact 3-door model with coupé-like lines, unique combination of driving fun and functionality and the optional all-wheel drive system ALL4 now gains additional appeal; increased engine output in the new MINI Cooper S Paceman consolidates driving fun leadership within the segment driving fun; market launch in July 2014 also includes the launch of the new edition of the extreme athlete MINI John Cooper Works Paceman.
Extravagant and powerfully expressive body design with horizontal lines, dynamic proportions and powerfully modelled surfaces in hallmark MINI design style; clearly signals driving fun with characteristic go-kart feeling and extended versatility due to all-wheel drive system ALL4; front section with powerful presence including hexagonal radiator grill contour; long doors with frameless windows in coupé style; high-opening tailgate; roof sits virtually seamlessly on top of the car, optionally available in contrasting colour; elongated silhouette resulting from the flowing roof line and the tapering side window graphic, now additionally emphasised with the new option Piano Black Exterior; new standard and optionally available light alloy wheels with reduced weight and optimised aerodynamic properties; other optional features: tyres with reduced rolling resistance; new exterior paint finishes Jungle Green metallic and Midnight Grey metallic.
Greater accentuation of sporty flair and premium characteristics in the interior of the new MINI Paceman; road speed and engine speed display now with dark dials in the style of the MINI John Cooper Works Paceman; interior in lounge-type design with four single seats and optimised acoustic comfort; newly designed chrome applications for the ventilation controls; MINI Center Rail storage system as standard; sports seats for driver and front passenger as standard; rear backrests individually foldable; as a result, luggage compartment volume can be expanded from 330 to up to 1 080 litres.
New MINI Paceman offering further increased driving fun and optimised efficiency; selection of two petrol and two diesel engines each with four cylinders; range also includes: top athlete MINI John Cooper Works Paceman with 160 kW/218 bhp 4-cylinder turbo engine; all model variants now with emission rating according to the EU6 emission standard and extended MINIMALISM technology including optimised aerodynamic properties to reduce fuel consumption and emission levels; output increased by 5 kW to 140 kW/190 bhp in the MINI Cooper S Paceman; 6-speed manual transmission as standard, 6-speed automatic transmission as an option: all-wheel drive system ALL4 as standard in the MINI John Cooper Works Paceman and optional for all other models.
Unique go-kart feeling thanks to high-quality suspension technology with McPherson spring struts and forged wishbones on the front axle, multilink rear axle and electromechanical power steering including Servotronic; sports chassis as standard for all model variants; Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) as standard, Dynamic Traction Control (DTC) including Electronic Differential Lock Control standard or optional, depending on model variant.
Integrated safety concept with crash-optimised body structure; extensive standard safety features now also include tyre pressure control on each wheel and daytime driving lights; occupant protection at the same level as the MINI Countryman, which scored the top 5-star rating on the Euro NCAP crash test.
Driving fun and comfort at premium level with extensive standard trim and a wide range of customisation options; high-end selection of optional extras, including new LED fog lamps with daytime driving lights and parking lights in LED technology as well as xenon headlamps and adaptive turning light, comfort access, glass push/tilt roof, automatic air conditioning, removable tow hitch with a trailer load of up to 1 200 kilograms, MINI navigation system, Sport Button, sports leather steering wheel with shift paddles for automatic transmission, multifunction steering wheel with cruise control Harman Kardon hi-fi speaker system; model-specific John Cooper Works accessories also available.
The most progressive networking technology within the competitive field for unique in-car infotainment; MINI Connected offers extensive smartphone integration in the vehicle and unique functional diversity with ongoing expansion based on apps; current program includes functions exclusive to MINI such as Mission Control, Dynamic Music, Driving Excitement and MINIMALISM Analyser, the use of Facebook, Twitter, foursquare and Glympse, RSS news feed reception and entertainment programs such as AUPEO!, Stitcher, Deezer, Audible, Napster/Rhapsody and TuneIn.
10 Comments
<p>Well technically the grille isn’t the same, it doesn’t have the horizontal chrome bar that adds a little dynamism to an oldish design. It’s a shame, I’ve tried so hard to want to like the Paceman but as time goes on it is drifting more and more from my praise :/</p>
<p>What did mini do to increase the output from 184 to 190 on the Cooper S? Or is it just a different programming?</p>
<p>Not that much really. Remember that it is the same engine in the JCW which is boosted by a further 16hp.</p>
<p>There’s quite a bit if internal differences in the JCW over the standard MCS engine.</p>
<p>The official release speaks of frameless windows, but in the pictures it doesn’t look like they changed anything from the old paceman in terms of doors and windows and the old one did have frames, so is it just a mistake in the press release?</p>
<p>Yes, it is a mistake, the windows have frames.</p>
<p>Dropped off my ’13 Clubman today for service and was given a ’13 Paceman S All4 loaner. I hit the center stack toggles to lower my driver side window (out of habit) and disabled the electronic nannies instead… ooops!</p>
<p>The refresh does nothing to address what I believe are the shortcomings with the Countryman/Paceman. These may look like a MINI, but they don’t drive like a MINI. The 6 speed auto in the S feels sluggish/underpowered to me and if you try to toss the car around like the hardtop (or clubman) there is pronounced body roll. The whole setup still feels wrong after 3 years of testing driving my first Countryman. Even if you like the looks (which I have grown to appreciate and like the upcoming changes) – I don’t see a compelling reason to take either one over a Clubman unless you absolutely need All4/4 doors. The boots are certainly not significantly larger, most of the space is granted to the interior passenger cabin.</p>
<p>Anyone with a JCW or a dropped S w/o All4 have a better driving experience?</p>
<p>On a positive note the new ’14 Cooper looks great, still not a fan of the S styling.</p>
<p>“These may look like a MINI, but they don’t drive like a MINI.”</p>
<p>Sort of the way the BMW’s X6 sort of looks like a BMW. Cut from the same niche, I suspect.</p>
<p>Gabe…..Since it seems that both the 2015 Countryman & Paceman refresh will offer the option of blacked out headlight & taillight rings, can I hopefully assume that this option will also be available on the 2015 F56 & fall debut of the F55 as well as future F series?</p>
<p>We all know how popular it is having those items (& other exterior chrome areas) blacked out by after market sources. On my 2012 JCWCoupe, within the 1st couple months after it arrived for my pickup at the dealer, I found sources of black replacements of the headlight & taillight rings, the chrome ring around the grill, door handles, both front & rear Mini winged logos, & of course, the waist line strip. With the spicy orange body & black roof, those blacked out trim areas really added to its look in a great way.</p>
<p>Must have been a Fri afternoon when the design team had this “project” passed to them. I can’t see any more than 5mins work going into this.</p>