MINI confirms production plans for Paceman concept

When BMW took over at MINI and started to rejuvenate the iconic brand known for a single, small car…few could have envisioned such a bold and persistent expansion of the brand in such a short time.

According to KHABAR KHODRO, But alas, an ever-expanding MINI is reality, this time with the confirmation via Car and Driver of a production future for the MINI Paceman concept which debuted at the Detroit Auto Show earlier this year.

It was very clear at the debut that the “concept” was very, very close to production form and short of a change of heart, the Paceman would find its way into the MINI lineup fairly quickly.

Refresher: The Paceman is essentially a two-door variant of the off-road-friendly Countryman model, but with a bit more traditional Cooper styling in the mix as well. Dimensionally, its proportions look to mirror the Cooper, but the Paceman is actually slightly longer than the Countryman.

Like the Countryman, the Paceman features MINI’s ALL4 all-wheel-drive system with an electromagnetic center differential capable of sending up to 100 percent of all power to the rear wheels. MINI says that the concept is also available in two-wheel-drive format, an odd statement given its inherent one-off nature – but given the importance of fuel economy these days it very well might come in a simple front-wheel format in production form for those looking to keep costs down.

The concept car is powered by MINI’s highest-zoot engine, the John Cooper Works-modified 1.6-liter twin-scroll turbocharged four-cylinder that puts out 211 horsepower and 192 lb-ft of torque (which can overboost to 207 lb-ft. for short spurts of aggressive driving).

Look for information and photo updates live from the Frankfurt Motor Show in September