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Mini’s model line is expanding at an exponential rate, and according to BMW’s smallest division, the Paceman Concept will form the basis of its eighth production vehicle. Even if that’s the case, nothing resembling the Paceman is going to beat either the Mini Coupe or Roadster to market, which are expected to hit dealers in late 2011 and 2012, respectively.

What we have in the Paceman is basically a Countryman that’s been relieved of its two rear doors and granted a gradually sloping roofline. Yes, that will indeed limit the machine’s versatility, but it also adds a sporty vibe to the somewhat high-riding crossover.

Power for the Paceman concept comes from Mini’s John Cooper Works-fettled 1.6-litre twin-scroll turbocharged engine that puts out 211 horsepower and 192 pound-feet of torque (207 with the overboost function). Those ponies are sent to all four wheels via Mini’s permanent ALL4 all-wheel drive system via either a six-speed manual or automatic gearbox.

Naturally, you’ll find a full high-res image gallery of live photos from the Detroit Auto Show below, and we’ve gone ahead and posted the official press release after the break for your reading pleasure. Enjoy!

Live photos copyright (C)2011 Jeremy Korzeniewski / AOL

Continue reading Detroit 2011: Mini Paceman Concept gets all the girls

Detroit 2011: Mini Paceman Concept gets all the girls originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 10 Jan 2011 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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How many Minis is too many? Mini’s about to find out as its product portfolio expands faster than a jilted lover’s waistline. The hatchback that (re)started it all and the cabrio that followed shortly thereafter have since been joined by the Clubman wagon and the Countryman crossover, with WRC and Dakar rally versions, speedsters and coupes and more in the production pipeline. But that doesn’t even take into account some of the concept derivatives that haven’t (yet) made it to production, and this is the latest.

Called the Paceman, it’s essentially a Countryman minus a couple of doors. It’s set to be unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show in January as a concept car, but could very well make it to production as well. Taking a page out of its parent company’s BMW‘s playbook, Mini calls the Paceman a “Sports Activity Coupe” (sort of like the BMW X6) and insists it’s the first of its kind in the small premium segment. A “first” is pretty easy to achieve when you define the category yourself, but to our eyes the Paceman, with its sloping white roof, looks set to take on the likes of the three-door Range Rover Evoque, only smaller.

Under the hood, Mini’s fitted the JCW turbo four with 211 horsepower, mated to the same ALL4 all-wheel drive system used in the Countryman. More details are available in the press release after the jump, along with the initial images in the gallery below. We’ll be on hand at Cobo Hall to bring you live impressions from NAIAS, so stay tuned.

[Source: Mini]

Continue reading Detroit Preview: Mini Paceman concept relieves Countryman of extra doors

Detroit Preview: Mini Paceman concept relieves Countryman of extra doors originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 19 Dec 2010 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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