Take the MINI Countryman (4-door MINI), slightly squash the roof in the rear and have just two doors and you get the all new MINI Paceman. The looks of this Paceman follows along the lines of its 4-door sibling, the Countryman but with a sleek lower roofline and the commanding MINI nose. It just somehow does not come all together as being attractive as its siblings. Paceman Space Step inside the Paceman and you will be greeted with the typical quality looking cabin with BMW sourced materials and finishing in all areas. The seats are well bolstered for all sized drivers. The rear seats offer comfort for just two adults even with the rather low roofline for tall passengers. Also legroom might be a little tight in the rear if tall drivers take control of the Paceman. The Paceman is a strict four-seater, though practicality has not been sacrificed. Folding down the rear seats expands the rear load-carrying capacity from 330 litres to a maximum of 1,080 litres. Access is via a large and highopening tailgate, offering extra practicality for owners. This Paceman is equipped with a multi-function leather steering wheel with control for the gear-change and radio. The rest of the cabin creature comforts are shared with all other high specification MINI variants. Paceman Sound and Vision Starting the engine is done with a key slot and a “push†of a button. It fires up with absolute silence as the cabin is well insulated. Outward vision is good and you sit high and in a sporty position. The audio system is a high-end system that needs no upgrade unless you are a concert conductor. The system is easy to use even for the most technology un-savvy. Paceman Sound Insulation Drive the Paceman in the city and you will quickly appreciate its ability to get other road users to gawk at your very individual looking ride. It is a car that stands out and there will be people admiring it as you cruise along. On the highway and as you build up speed, there is little road noise that enters the cabin. Only the spinning engine can be heard as you wind up the turbocharger to go faster. Take your speed up to illegal numbers and there will still be a quiet enough cabin as little wind and road noise travels into the cabin. Paceman Power For a 1.6 turbocharged engine, the Paceman hardly ever feels lethargic or in need of more power. It delivers in spades in city traffic and you will never feel inadequate when the competition tries to “smoke†at traffic lights and when you decide to shed your fatherly image and take on a little boy racer attitude. The exhaust note gets a helping hand thanks to the Sport button, which not only dramatises the noise, but sharpens the throttle and increases the weight of the steering too. Paceman Performance Like all MINI’s, the Paceman is all about hard driving and though it sounds a bit of a cliché, it really does feel like a go-kart behind the wheel, with almost instant response and an invigorating firm ride. The ride gets a bit firm on the sports suspension, but it’s rarely harsh and retains decent body control and roll resistance through trickier bends. Overall though, it feels like a MINI, which is a good thing. It may have grown a few inches over the standard MINI Cooper, but little has changed in dynamics. The performance feels strong and the effect is enhanced by that rousing engine note. It’s not as frantic to drive as a comparable MINI Cooper when you take it really fast and furious, but while feeling more mature it’s only marginally less fun. Paceman Safety Safety features have been given a top priority where the Paceman comes with six airbags and this is complemented by the Electronic Stability Programme, anti-lock brakes and brake assist. Additionally, the car comes equipped with a tyre pressure monitoring system, rain sensor and auto dimming rear view mirror. So who is the driver of the Paceman? Well we think that executive women or super stylish men looking to make a statement will be drawn to its looks and will appreciate its features and drive dynamics. Source - MINI Paceman