At this year?s North American International Auto Show, MINI is celebrating the 10th anniversary of the brand?s revival and re-launch in the U.S. market. To mark the occasion, the automaker unveiled today the Paceman Concept, and also confirmed that it will spawn a production model in the very near future.
?I?m thrilled to tell you now, for the very first time, that there will be a seventh member of the MINI family ? and we will base it on this concept?, said Ian Robertson, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, during MINI?s press conference at the Detroit motorshow.
2010 was the most successful sales year in MINI?s history, with the British firm delivering some 234,000 units worldwide. Not surprisingly, the BMW Group-owned company wants to build on this success, by further expanding its model line-up.
Currently, the automaker offers four models (Hardtop, Convertible, Clubman and Countryman), which will be joined by the Coupe in late 2011, and the Roadster in 2012. The series-production Paceman will follow shortly after, essentially creating the first crossover coupe in the premium small car segment.
The concept model is based on the MINI Countryman and it uses the 211 hp 1.6-liter John Cooper Works turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Power is transferred to the wheels through a six-speed manual transmission and MINI"s ALL4 all-wheel drive system.
?This car captures the typical MINI characteristics ? unique design, clever functionality and signature driving fun - with a new level of agility. It combines an athletic, masculine coup? appearance with the dimensions of the MINI Countryman?, Mr. Robertson commented.
By Csaba Daradics
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