JIMS 2011: MINI UNCOVERS PACEMAN, COUPE

MINI unveiled two of its arsenal pieces at the 2011 Johannesburg International Motor Show (JIMS). One is the all-new MINI Coupe, while the other was a concept called the Paceman. Both are headed to Mzansi at different points in time. We expect the Coupe here before year end, while the Paceman could still be a year away.

MINI Coupé already has a powerful ambassador in DJ Fresh who presented the car at JIMS. His ride is the John Cooper Works model that features a turbocharged 1.6 litre engine pushing out 155kW and top torque of 260Nm, with a 20Nm overboost function.

The most obvious difference with the Coupé is the fact that it only has two seats. There’s also a rear roof spoiler that goes up at over 80km/h. The car will be offered in a total of nine exterior colours. Prices will start at R264 000 for the 6-speed manual Cooper, while the dearest is the JCW at R369 000 without any optional equipment.

Paceman is a combination of two MINIs; hatch and Countryman. It also features the same powerplants and All4 all-wheel-drive (AWD).