A Coupe Body is Stylish

As MINI's Seventh SiblingThe Paceman ArrivesHowever, I often hear that its position is unclear.

Well, it's natural that it becomes difficult to distinguish them when you have seven siblings, but the Paceman has its own distinct personality.

First, the front section of the Paceman is basically the same design as MINI's SUV model,Countrymanbut unlike the Countryman's "4" doors, it has "2" doors, and to match this, it adopts a sloping roofline like a coupe. In other words, the Paceman's true form is an SUV-based coupe body.

“Wait, weren't there other coupe-like SUVs?” If you noticed that, you're sharp. Yes, BMW'sX6is precisely a coupe SUV, which BMW called a "Sports Activity Coupe." Therefore, BMW claims that the MINI Paceman is the world's first Sports Activity Coupe in the premium compact car class.


So, does a coupe SUV have any advantages? No, you don't need to ponder that; you'll understand as soon as you experience the Paceman. Let's start by sitting in the driver's seat. The seating position is slightly elevated, as expected of an SUV, offering good visibility for a compact MINI. The body is a bit wider than the MINI hatchback, and there's ample headroom, so it doesn't feel cramped. After all, an SUV cabin offers a strong sense of openness.

And as a man, I think a coupe body is indeed cool. While the Paceman's roofline isn't extremely sloped, it still evokes a sense of dynamism and lightness unique to coupes. It's quite different from the solid feel of the Countryman. Moreover, the design around the rear hatch of the Paceman is beautiful.

The sloping roof makes the rear end look condensed, and the gently curved hatch gate exudes an indescribable sense of luxury. Adorning its center are MINI's trademark and the word "PACEMAN." The first time I saw it, I honestly thought, "Cool!"

Targeting a Slightly Older Demographic?

The interior features the center rail, which debuted in the Countryman. This enhances the impression of independent left and right seats and allows for the functional sliding of cup holders and other storage compartments to preferred positions. Another characteristic of the Paceman is the large, oval accent on the door trim.

There are three grades: Cooper, Cooper S, and Cooper S ALL4. The ONE grade, available in other body styles, is not offered because "it is to express the coupe-like character," a setting that is common worldwide, not just in Japan. All three grades, including the ALL4, are available with both MT and AT. The steering wheel is on the right side only. Prices range from 3.12 million yen for the Cooper (6MT) to 3.96 million yen for the Cooper S ALL4 (6AT).



I test drove the Cooper S with a 6AT. The 1.6-liter 4-cylinder twin-scroll turbo engine produces 184 ps at 5,500 rpm and 240 Nm at 1,600-5,000 rpm. Furthermore, with a curb weight of 1,390 kg, which is 70 kg lighter than the Cooper S ALL4 equipped with the same engine, it can be said to be the model with the most agile driving feel.

Frankly, the driving feel is very similar to other MINI Cooper S models. The explosive acceleration when you press the throttle and the excellent steering response, known as the "go-kart feeling," are characteristic of MINI. However, the ride comfort is surprisingly smooth with good suspension travel for a MINI. This aspect suggests that it might be targeting a slightly older demographic than other MINIs.

Young at Heart

Nevertheless, the engine's beat is quite clearly transmitted, and the road noise is not insignificant. However, with BMW's technological prowess, these could easily be suppressed.

Considering that, I get the feeling that MINI might be intentionally leaving these characteristics in. When you can hear the engine and feel the road surface, the sense of actually operating a machine called a car is amplified many times over. Isn't MINI cherishing this live driving experience?

And isn't this very feeling the biggest reason why MINI is loved and supported by young people who live their lives actively and those who are young at heart? While gripping the steering wheel of the Paceman, I pondered such things.


The second-generation MINI, which started with the hatchback, has since steadily increased its siblings: Convertible, Clubman, Countryman, Coupe, Roadster, and now the Paceman. As a brand with a single core model, the strategy is likely to continuously offer news and maintain a fresh image by expanding the body variations.

Now, will the next to appear be the eighth sibling? Or will it be the third-generation MINI that has undergone a full model change? The fact that I'm curious about such things might be the best proof that I myself have fallen into MINI's trap.

MINI Cooper S Paceman
Body Dimensions | Length 4,115 x Width 1,786 x Height 1,522 mm
Wheelbase | 2,596 mm
Tread Front/Rear | 1,525 / 1,551 mm
Minimum Ground Clearance | 124 mm
Minimum Turning Radius | 5.8 m
Trunk Capacity | 330-1,080 Liters
Weight | 1,305 kg [1,330 kg]
Engine | 1,598cc Inline 4-cylinder DOHC Gasoline
Maximum Output | 135 kW (184 ps) / 5,500 rpm
Maximum Torque | 240 Nm / 1,600-5,000 rpm
Maximum Torque (Overboost) | 260 Nm / 1,700-4,500 rpm
Transmission | 6-speed Manual [6-speed Automatic]
Suspension Front/Rear | MacPherson Strut / Multi-link
Brakes Front/Rear | Ventilated Disc / Disc
Tires | 205 / 55 R17
0-100 km/h Acceleration | 7.5 sec [7.8 sec]
Maximum Speed | 217 km/h [212 km/h]
Fuel Economy | 6.1 ℓ / 100 km [7.1 ℓ / 100 km] (European Cycle Combined)
CO2 Emissions | 143 g/km [166 g/km]
*Values in brackets are for the 6-speed automatic model.