Έκθεση Detroit 2013: MINI Paceman John Cooper Works

The land of opportunity remains the primary sales region for the British premium brand – ten years after MINI was launched, yet another record has been broken with sales of 66,123 vehicles.

Munich. Last summer there were celebrations marking “10 Years of MINI in the USA”. By the end of the year congratulations were in order once again: the British premium brand had broken a new sales record in the USA after delivering 66,123 MINI models in the course of 2012 – a jump of 15 per cent over the previous year. With these figures, the “land of opportunity” has made a significant contribution to MINI’s new record-breaking global sales total of 301,526 units. Yet again the USA has emerged as the world’s number one market for small and compact vehicles sporting the MINI badge.

Within the United States, MINI enjoys a resounding popularity on the West Coast in particular. The West sales region, which includes the states of California and Nevada, recorded 21,505 newly registered MINIs last year. In California, which accounts for around one in four of all MINIs sold in the USA, the market share is commensurately high. Peak figures were achieved in upmarket Los Angeles, where MINI notched up a slice of 9 per cent of sales in the competitive field, followed by the San Francisco region with 8.2 per cent. Across the USA as a whole, the MINI market share currently lies around the 6.7 percentage mark.

Credit for the growth rates in global MINI sales must also go to the ongoing expansion of the model range. Boasting 102,250 units sold – around a third of total sales – the MINI Countryman played a pivotal role in the record results of 2012. In the USA, the MINI Countryman’s share in the brand’s overall success is similarly large: 21,012 vehicles from this model range found buyers in the USA in 2012. It reflects a clear trend towards powerful engines and the ALL4 all-wheel-drive system. The MINI Cooper S Countryman ALL4 was the most popular model variant with sales of 8,223 units, followed by the MINI Cooper S Countryman, which notched up 7,479.

Thus the MINI brand’s foray into a new vehicle segment proved a great success story in 2012 as well, both in the USA and globally. Yet the front-runner in the brand’s popularity ratings is once again the MINI Hatch. This classic body variant also topped the USA rankings with sales of 29,278 units. Following the second-placed MINI Countryman are the MINI Clubman (5,769 units) and the MINI Convertible (4,813). As for the latter, it is worth noting that the open-top four-seater is extremely popular on the sunny West Coast in particular and that last year almost 60 per cent of were ordered in high-performance MINI Cooper S Convertible guise.

The two novices in the model range – the MINI Coupé and the MINI Roadster – likewise made a blistering start out of the blocks. In its first complete sales year the MINI Coupé registered 2,880 deliveries, while in the first few months of its life in the United States the MINI Roadster already had a tally of 2,371 units to add to the brand’s successful sales figures. Both two-seaters, moreover, instantly established their status in the USA as a byword for outstanding driving fun and a particularly intense go-kart feeling – as corroborated by the strong demand for the extremely sporty MINI John Cooper Works Coupé and MINI John Cooper Works Roadster models. Their market share within the relevant range clearly outstrips that of any other MINI.

EXTREME SPORTS PERFORMANCE, INIMITABLE STYLE: THE MINI JOHN COOPER WORKS PACEMAN.

• U.S. base price: $36,200 (includes $700 D&H)
• Elite performance model is based on MINI’s first crossover coupe
• Driver and passengers in four individual seats enjoy racing feeling, and turbocharged engine develops 208 hp (U.S. specification)
• Standard equipment includes ALL4 all-wheel drive, an aerodynamic kit, 18-inch light-alloy wheels and lowered sports suspension

Woodcliff Lake, NJ – January 14, 2013… The MINI John Cooper Works Paceman combines mouthwatering sporting flair and inimitable style to introduce a new dimension in driving fun to the premium compact segment. Its race-bred powertrain and chassis technology create a recipe for smile-inducing agility, and the overall concept of the first MINI crossover coupe gives it an immediate, show-stealing impact. The MINI John Cooper Works Paceman transfers the power developed by its 208 hp four-cylinder turbocharged engine to the road with poise and assurance, courtesy of its standard ALL4 all-wheel-drive system. Lowered sports suspension and an aerodynamic kit also play their part in bringing an irresistible feeling of race competition to the driver and passengers in their four individual seats.

The MINI John Cooper Works Paceman celebrates its world premiere at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit in January 2013. The base price in the U.S. is $36,200 (including 700 D&H), and its market launch is scheduled for March 2013. The new arrival swells the John Cooper Works ranks to include all seven models. The MINI John Cooper Works Paceman’s driving characteristics and design ensure it will stand out from the crowd in city traffic, as well as being the car of choice when maximum driving fun over longer distances is the order of the day. Instantaneous power delivery and an unquenchable appetite for revs define the engine under the bonnet of the MINI John Cooper Works Paceman. The turbocharged power unit teams up with a six-speed manual gearbox as standard; a six-speed automatic can be ordered as an option.

The MINI John Cooper Works Paceman sprints from 0 60 mph) in just 6.5 seconds with either of the gearbox variants. Yet despite this intoxicating turn of speed, fuel economy is exemplary for its output class. The MINI John Cooper Works Paceman posts average fuel consumption in preliminary EPA estimates of 31 mpg highway / 25 mpg city / 27 mpg combined for the manual transmission (30 mpg highway / 23 mpg city / 26 mpg combined for automatic transmission).

The distinctive character of the MINI John Cooper Works Paceman is underlined by bespoke design features. Standard specification includes an aerodynamic kit, 18-inch light-alloy wheels, a sports exhaust system with chrome tailpipes, and door sills bearing the John Cooper Works logo. As well as white and black, the exclusive Chili Red paint finish can also be specified as an option for the contrast-color roof and exterior mirror caps. And customers can also lend an extra edge to the typical John Cooper Works sports car feeling inside the car with bespoke accents such as Chili Red interior trim strips.

The engine: dynamism in spades, fuel consumption in sips thanks to racing expertise and MINIMALISM technology.

The MINI John Cooper Works Paceman draws its power from a 1,598 cc four-cylinder engine. The latest generation of the John Cooper Works turbocharged unit blends motor sport-inspired technical details with cutting-edge innovations developed by the BMW Group’s powertrain experts. Highlights include reinforced pistons, low-weight crankshafts, an aluminum cylinder block and bearing mounts, and further optimization of the cooling system, air supply and exhaust gas discharge system. Plus, the turbocharger is twinned with a generously sized intercooler. The twin-scroll turbocharger joins forces with direct injection and variable valve control based on the BMW Group’s VALVETRONIC technology, which optimizes both the engine’s efficiency and its responsiveness.

The MINI John Cooper Works Paceman’s powerplant develops its maximum output of 208 hp at 6,000 rpm. Peak torque of 207 lb-ft is on tap with Overboost at 1,700 – 4,500 rpm (192 lb-ft of torque at 1,850 – 5,600 rpm). This opens the door to gratifyingly vivacious acceleration to which the standard-fitted sports exhaust system provides a suitably stirring soundtrack.

ALL4 all-wheel drive as standard, six-speed automatic gearbox optional.

The MINI John Cooper Works Paceman channels the extraordinary power produced by its front-mounted transverse engine through all four wheels as standard. The ALL4 all-wheel-drive system developed for MINI uses an electromagnetic center differential to distribute drive seamlessly between the front and rear axles. This means power is always sent to the wheels where it can be translated most effectively into forward propulsion. The vehicle operates as front-wheel-drive until slip is detected, and then automatically transfers power to the rear wheels. This provides a traction-led expression of the handling talents for which MINI is famed – whatever the weather and road conditions. The control electronics of the MINI ALL4 system are integrated directly into the DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) management unit, which gives ALL4 extremely short response times and allows it to carry out proactive adjustments in the distribution of drive. The system uses the data collected by DSC to tweak the power split pre-emptively and is best demonstrated through dynamic corners; and that means the driver enjoys outstanding agility combined with surefooted driving characteristics in customary MINI style.

The MINI John Cooper Works Paceman can be ordered with a six-speed automatic gearbox as an optional alternative to the standard-fitted six-speed manual. Both of the transmissions and the manual’s clutch have been adapted to handle the engine’s power and play their part in ensuring outstanding performance coupled with further improvements in efficiency. The automatic’s Steptronic function, meanwhile, gives the driver the option of changing gear manually using the selector lever on the center console or the shift paddles on the steering wheel.

The choice of gearbox has no effect on the sprinting power of the MINI John Cooper Works Paceman. The new car dashes from rest to 60 mph in just 6.5 seconds, regardless of whether the engine is sending its power through the manual or automatic conduit. Top speed stands at 127 mph for US models. The MINI John Cooper Works Paceman marries this impressive performance with eye-catching economy. The engine’s inherent efficiency proves to be a trump card here. Average fuel consumption according to preliminary EPA estimates is 31 mpg highway / 25 mpg city / 27 mpg combined for the manual transmission (30 mpg highway / 23 mpg city / 26 mpg combined for automatic transmission).

Developed to deliver visceral racing thrills: chassis, aerodynamics, design and interior tuned to John Cooper Works specification.

Another key player in giving the MINI John Cooper Works Paceman its sky-high levels of driving fun is chassis technology optimized specially for the new model; a MacPherson spring-strut front axle, central-arm rear axle, Electric Power Steering and an extremely high-performance braking system make a potent team. The standard sports suspension has a dynamically optimized spring/damper set-up and stronger anti-roll bars, and is lowered by 10 millimeters. The standard DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) system also comprises DTC (Dynamic Traction Control) mode.

And the likewise standard Sport Button on the center console allows the driver to tweak the engine’s responses and soundtrack, as well as the power assistance provided by the steering. If the automatic gearbox is specified, pressing the Sport Button also quickens up shift times. 18-inch light-alloy wheels in Twin Spoke Black Burnished design with polished spoke fronts and black rim wells are standard on the MINI John Cooper Works Paceman. Among the items on the options list are exclusive 19-inch light-alloy wheels in Cross-Spoke Crusher design.

The extrovert design of the MINI John Cooper Works Paceman gives it a dynamic presence, brimming with forward-surging intent and agility – before it even turns a wheel. The powerfully formed front end, elegantly sporty, stretched lines of the flanks, coupe-style roof swooping downwards towards the rear, and broad rear end of the three-door car all ooze sporting allure. The aerodynamic kit fitted as standard on the MINI John Cooper Works Paceman shines extra light on this performance-maxing character. The particularly muscular form of the front and rear aprons and bespoke side skirts ensure the airflow around the car is even more efficient. John Cooper Works logos on the radiator grille, tailgate and door sill strips, as well as next to the side indicators provide additional confirmation of the car’s identity. Customers can choose from nine exterior paint finishes, including the Chili Red shade reserved for the John Cooper Works model. Chili Red is also available exclusively for the MINI John Cooper Works Paceman’s contrast-color roof, exterior mirror caps and sport stripes.

Inside the car, the distinctive interior design combined with the customary sports car ambience of John Cooper Works models creates a particularly alluring effect. The rear compartment of the MINI John Cooper Works Paceman features a pair of individual seats in which the rear passengers can enjoy that unmistakable racing feeling in lounge-style surroundings. A sports steering wheel with red contrast stitching and John Cooper Works logo, dark-colored dials for the 160 mph speedometer and rev counter, anthracite-colored roof liner, gearshift lever with red shift pattern lettering, red contrast stitching for the gearshift lever gaiter and floor mats with red stitching are all part of the standard equipment count for the new extreme sports model, as are cloth sports seats in Diagonal Track John Cooper Works Carbon Black trim with red contrast stitching. Lounge Leather sports seats in Carbon Black Championship Red are available as an option. Standard Piano Black interior trim strips add the finishing touches to the racing-inspired aura inside the MINI John Cooper Works Paceman. Exclusive Chili Red trim – consisting of red elements for the cockpit and doors and a red stripe for the black trim strips on the centre console – can be ordered as an option.

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