Mini is marking an important milestone in its history by once again presenting a fascinating new vehicle concept for the Mini family – the Mini Paceman Concept. Exactly 10 years ago, visitors to the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit witnessed the relaunch of the Mini brand in North America, which signalled the beginning of an unparalleled success story. And now the brand is also preparing to celebrate this landmark anniversary at the NAIAS – taking place from 10-23 January 2011 – with the world premiere of the Mini Paceman Concept.

This spectacular study vehicle establishes a totally new category of car with its potential for providing even more driving fun and an even greater range of usage. The Mini Paceman Concept could become another building block in the ongoing development of the brand and its product portfolio.

The Mini Paceman Concept takes the fundamental strengths of Mini – its uniqueness, go-kart handling, agility, dynamic capability and individual design – and gives them a fresh twist with the help of cutting-edge technology and an innovative body concept. It combines a sporty, masculine appearance, versatility and coupe looks with the dimensions of the four-door Mini Countryman. And it brings together the classical Mini concept, the defining features of the Mini Countryman and the style of a coupe to harmonious effect. The result is a Mini with visual “muscle car” design cues, which displays its dynamic capability from every angle and showcases it impressively both when viewed from the side and in the design of the rear.

The interior of the MINI Paceman Concept deliberately draws from the MINI design language, yet also comes across as refreshingly new. Behind the study’s masculine exterior lies an elegant yet sporty core imbued with a premium sense of quality. The instrument panel of the MINI study is defined by its distinctive, concave forms and the sporty but functional impression it creates. Particularly large side air vents underline the character of the interior, which is defined by cutting-edge functionality. The central air vents, Centre Speedo and gearshift lever are given broad surrounds in a contrasting colour.

The Mini Paceman Concept has been designed to allow the most powerful drive unit currently available for a Mini to be fitted under the bonnet. The Mini John Cooper Works 1.6-litre twin-scroll turbocharged engine gives this car the means to achieve top-class levels of sports performance.

The four-cylinder unit develops 155 kW/211 hp and generates maximum torque of 260 Nm (192 lb-ft), which can be increased to as much as 280 Nm (207 lb-ft) in brief bursts thanks to the Overboost function and offers an extra dose of driving fun through a traction-led, sporty expression of the agile handling for which Mini is famed.

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