You know it is only a matter of time before the presentation of a new model when a carmaker drops pictures of a barely camouflaged prototype as MINI did on Tuesday with the Paceman.
The new images show the three-door crossover model with only parts of the rear end covered in the traditional swirly livery we have come to expect from Mini's engineers over the past few years.
Not that we're surprised, mind you, as back in April, Kay Segler, Senior Vice President MINI Brand Management, had confirmed the name of the new model and announced that the Paceman would be presented in a "few months’ time and launched onto the market in 2013".
"The MINI Paceman is the world’s first Sports Activity Coupé in the premium compact segment. It combines a clear appetite for extravagance and infectious driving fun in a style that only a MINI could pull off with such authenticity,” Segler said during the aforementioned press conference.
What we get from these latest pictures is that the production model remains true to the styling of the Paceman concept previewed at the 2011 Detroit Motor Show, with only some minor changes to the exterior body trim such as the grille and side air vents.
The Paceman is based on floor structure of the five-door Countryman crossover with the two models also sharing the same engine lineup.
However, the Paceman is more than a three-door version of the Countryman as Mini's designers have penned a new exterior with a lower and sportier looking roofline, a rising waistline, more muscular rear fenders and a different rear end with bulging tail lights.
7 Comments:
So this is pretty much a BMW X1 with MINI clothes on?
Oh no, it's FAR uglier than that...
Ok I am a fan of all things MINI. End of. I love what BMW have done with the brand, so far ....... Now however they've become complacent and just a tad ignorant if this SEAT IBIZA (first generation) with MINI front end is anything to go by .... I can accept the thinking behind the Countryman, 5drs with more space etc., but WHAT IS THE REASONING BEHIND THIS monstrosity ? A MINI coupe perhaps, well er we got the hatchback, we got coupe on which it is based, NO NEED FOR A BIGGER COUPE - lets not be stupid here - enough is enough !!!! There's a hint in the name MINI if anyone at BMW can suss it ..... OK in case anyone from BMW is reading this, it means SMALL or COMPACT. Seriously if BMW think they can roll out stupidity and expect people to buy it then they better think on ! Its not that long ago that BMW was in financial stupidity and certainly won't be too long before they're in the same stupid situation before long. LET OUR BRITISH CARS BE BRITISH BMW !!!! Thank you for saving MINI btw but DO NOT DESTROY THE BRAND ! SHAME ON BMW for being so very very STUPID !!!!
Its VILE
Does the 2-door Range Rover Evoque destroy the Land Rover brand? Did the Cayenne destroy Porsche? Just because this car doesn't fit your idea of what a Mini should be doesn't mean it will erode the Mini brand or sell poorly. I think it will sell like hotcakes. Also, would you mind using another word besides stupid? Thanks so much.
You are STUPID ! lol, can't disagree with you comment but I do think MINI will go too far and dilute the brand Christopher ....
Get back into the playpen.
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