Spring launch for new MINI Paceman

The new MINI Paceman will be available in eight exterior colours, including Brilliant Copper, Blazing Red and Starlight Blue

MINI has announced details of the all new MINI Paceman, which will be available in Ireland next spring.

Aimed at ‘a new type of design-conscious customer’, the new Paceman is a coupe interpretation of the Countryman.

The car’s interior is unique to this model, with ‘lounge concept’ rear seats offering two individual chairs. Armrests have also been worked into the rear trim.

Four versions of the new model will be on offer when it arrives here in March, with two petrol and two diesel engines.

A six-speed manual gearbox is standard but a six-speed automatic with Steptronic function will be offered as an option. All-wheel drive will also be available as an option.

The petrol engines are both 1.6-litre, putting out 122bph and 184bhp. The 122bhp model has acceleration of 0-100kph in 10.4seconds, MINI has said, with the 184bhp model shaving nearly three seconds off that speed.

Meanwhile, a 1.6-litre 112bhp turbocharged diesel engine offers acceleration of 0-100kph in 10.8seconds, with the flagship 2.0-litre 143bhp diesel engine going from 0-100kph in 9.2seconds.

Air conditioning and front sports seats are among the standard features in the new MINI Paceman.

The car will be available in eight exterior paint shades with an extensive selection of bonnet stripes, interior surfaces, colour lines and upholstery variants on offer for further personalisation.

The new MINI Paceman arrives in Ireland on March 16, 2013, with prices starting from €27,660.

See the MINI Ireland Facebook page for further details.