A source within Mini has told the folks over at Car & Driver that the car likely will be called Countryman Coupe. The moniker makes sense, given that the concept—the production model will be essentially identical—is basically a two-door Countryman with unique rear-end styling. The Countryman Coupe will debut at this year’s Paris auto show before going on sale next year as a 2013 or 2014 model. Source - Car and Driver Blog » Production Mini Paceman to Be Called
Aw man... you mean I gotta wait until the end of September to see production shots of the Paceman? (the article states that the production car will be presented at the 2012 Paris Auto show, which Google tells me is at the end of Sept this year).
Gimme a fJCW with a 2 liter turbo engine, no carbon buildup, a better clutch and pressure plate and I'll take one....
I'd also like that color to become a production color and I'd like a set of coil-overs made quickly for this car so I can drop it! I might have to stretch that gold color to the roof and mirror caps... I'm just sayin.
Countryman Coupe -- BRAVO !!!! I want one now !!!!!!!!! anyone know what the interior will be like? especially the back seats !!! Canine needs a flat area back there !!! WOOF WOOF :biggrin5:
A two-door Countryman - doesn't make much sense to me. Maybe if it presents a new engine option to deal with the weight, it would be of greater interest. Turbo diesel alternative? Perhaps with a dual-clutch transmission to match. What happened to the unique door systems of the recent concept cars? Now that looked like fun.
Weird hinge, unique yes, but is more complicated(ie expensive), more weight and more to go wrong IMHO.
Don't like the name. PACEMAN reminds me of PACMAN. Looks Good maybe a bit elongated. I like the color. I would purchase one if the new BMW motor was installed. Forget the refreshed Pugeot. That thing has been a disaster since day one. I'll be at the Mini plant in two weeks and I'll ask some questions.
Yep... there is no way they would roll-out those concept hinges. They were pretty cool, but God only knows the crash testing that they would have had to go through vs. the tried and true designs already in production. Also expect the outside leather door handle covers to be dropped from final production... cool but won't last long enough to make it through the warranty period without being replaced at least once. It's a 2 door Countryman, but it also (in the concept form) also has a sleeker roofline, which is a core element of the design, IMHO. One of the MINI designers mentioned that they couldn't do a white roof on the Countryman because it looked like a rolled-over Boston Whaler (boat). If they lose the roofline and tack on the normal Countryman roof, I'll not be nearly as in love with the final design. I also like that the window taper is coming back into line with the design of the R53... a strong horizontal beltline with a hard taper coming from a sloped roof, leading to narrower glass at the rear. I had a feeling that my 6'4" frame wasn't gonna fit in the coupe (I fit, but I can't see), but I'm looking forward to a more stylish Countryman version. If the final production car keeps these lines, I'll be sorely tempted to order an All-4 S Countryman Coupe.
PDQMINI: A pilgrimage to the Land of MINI, how cool is that!! Plead, grovel, beg for them to put that 2.0L BMW power plant in the new whatever you call it. I would also like to see the R-56 with an AWD system and a 2.L engine.
Aren't MINIs and their engines supposed to be small? (kidding)It's talk like this that is ruining the brand!!!(/kidding) :biggrin5:
In order to stay competitve MINI should really be looking at building stronger and more reliable base engine. Make it either 1.8T or 2.0T and so it would accept aftermarket tunes easier. With the GTI and Focus ST, MINI isn't going to be able to hold its ground for to much longer. I'm just glad the MINI doesn't weigh much so I can catch up in the corners.
'Competitive' is a loaded word. For many of us with sporting aspirations, a larger displacement might keep the car competitive for us, while increasing fuel consumption and making it less competitive for others who care more about fuel economy (while adding weight). If you spoke to people at MINI corporate, I don't think that they would consider the GTI or the Focus ST their 'competition', though they might be cross-shopped by some folks.
My husband is really wanting an AWD one of these! He just sent me a link with a similar article titled "Birthday present for me!!!" Dork. I don't think they'll be shipping them in October hon...
I think I remember reading that it will probably be unveiled at the Paris Autoshow... Fall 2012. That means that it will probably be spring 2013 before we see 'em in the US.