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Mini Cooper Paceman debuts at 2012 Paris Motor Show (pictures)

Mini reshuffles its Countryman crossover to create its seventh new model, the Mini Paceman sports activity coupe.

Antuan Goodwin
Antuan Goodwin gained his automotive knowledge the old fashioned way, by turning wrenches in a driveway and picking up speeding tickets. From drivetrain tech and electrification to car audio installs and cabin tech, if it's on wheels, Antuan is knowledgeable.
Antuan Goodwin
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1 of 9 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

2012 Mini Cooper Paceman debuts in Paris

PARIS--What do you get when you cross a Mini Countryman with the Mini Coupe? You get the Mini Paceman, a large (for a Mini) sports activity coupe that is the seventh new model in the automaker's stable. The Paceman retains, for the most part, the bulbous front end of the Countryman, but streamlines its profile with two fewer doors.
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2 of 9 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

Engine options

The Paceman will be available in Cooper and Cooper S trim levels both with 1.6-liter engines outputting 121-horsepower and a turbocharged 181 horsepower, respectively. Europeans will have a choice of diesel powered Cooper D variants, as well.
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3 of 9 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

It only looks shorter

Overall length and wheelbase appear to be unchanged between the Paceman and the Countryman upon which it is based, so the more compact appearance is purely an optical illusion. Like its sibling, the Paceman retains seating for four passengers, but sacrifices a bit of rear headroom due to the more sloped roof.
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4 of 9 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

All-wheel drive

The Paceman will also be the second Mini marquee to make the automaker's ALL-4 all-wheel-drive system available. You'll be able to option this traction increasing technology at the Cooper S trim level.
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5 of 9 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

Trim levels and styling

In the standard Cooper trim, the Paceman features a much less aggressive front end than the blue Paceman Cooper S in the previous photos.
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6 of 9 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

Trim levels and styling

With smaller wheels and more chrome brightwork, the standard Paceman doesn't hide its bulk as well as the Cooper S trim level does.
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7 of 9 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

Taillights

The Paceman will be the first Mini model to use horizontally aligned taillamps, a configuration chosen to make the small crossover appear visually wider and lower.
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8 of 9 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

Backwards cap

The "backward cap" roofline of the Mini Cooper Coupe makes an appearance atop the Paceman. However, the Paceman's integrated rear spoiler is nowhere near as pronounced as the one that adorns the smaller Coupe.
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9 of 9 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

Interior

Inside, the Paceman doesn't deviate from the established theme of Mini interiors. The large, dinner-plate speedometer with Mini Connect-enabled infotainment can be seen clearly in the center of the dashboard.

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