2013 MINI Cooper S Paceman ALL4



Written by: Calvin Chan

Photography by: Sammy Chan

 

DRIVING NOTES-


Another MINI?

  • Paceman Formula = Countryman - minus two doors + a stylish sloping roof
  • World’s first “Sports Activity Coupe”
  • Three variants (Paceman, Paceman S, John Cooper Works)
  • MINI Cooper S Paceman ALL4 comes standard with all-wheel-drive (no FWD available)­
  • Base Price $31,200 MRSP
  • Careful of those endless customizable options – price as tested $37,580 MRSP

Exterior

  • Taking cues from the Range Rover Evoque, the slanted roof makes it look sporty and deceptively compact whilst being spacious inside
  • Huge 19” Pirelli wheels – muscular vehicle with big shoes – why not? $1,380
  • The only MINI to actively badge a model name (other than Cooper) on its rear
  • P  A  C  E  M  A  N – just in case you forgot
  • Big “MINI” badge on the rear is actually a clever trunk opening lever
  • $490 Exterior metallic paint – Absolute Black Metallic
  • $750 Lights Package include Bi-Xenon adaptive headlights and white-turn signals give the MINI a distinct appeal at nighttime
  • Looks commanding and expensive despite its small stature

Engine and Chassis

  • 1.6-litre 4-cylinder (121hp @ 6000rpm, 114lb-ft torque @ 4250rpm)
  • 1.6-litre 4-cylinder (181hp @ 5500rpm, 177lb-ft torque @ 1600-5000rpm)
  • 1.6-litre 4-cylinder (208hp @ 6000rpm, 192lb-ft torque @ 1850-4500rpm)
     
  • MINI Cooper S Paceman ALL4 fitted with the rambunctious 1.6-litre 4-cylinder engine with a twin-scroll turbocharger
  • Don’t mistake this as a twin-turbo
  • Twin-scroll means the four cylinders pair up and follow separate paths to the turbine wheel to decrease exhaust back pressure at low RPMs, meaning energy is used more efficiently (no turbo lag and instant throttle response off the line)
  • $1300 six-speed automatic transmission option that includes integrated shift paddles on the steering wheel
  • Automatic is not as good as the manual
  • Not a big fan of the paddle shifters – instead of the traditional paddle shifting where left is downshift, right is up-shift, it is now push to downshift and pull to up-shift (left and right paddles are functionally the same. Counter-intuitive and takes some getting used to.
  • 6-speed manual available as well (if you’ve never driven a MINI with the manual option… add this to your bucket list)

Performance / Handling / Steering / Comfort

  • Feels like driving a go-kart - dynamic, precise, agile, instant throttle response
  • Great steering control and feel; mechanical and lively
  • Noisy car with lots of engine noise seeping into the interior cabin
  • Not a very comfortable ride as the suspension is fairly stiff
  • ALL4, MINI’s all-wheel-drive system, keeps the tires glued to the ground at any speed
  • A car that you can really push to the limit without being scared of too much over-steer or under-steer

Interior

  • It’s Mickey Mouse!.. or should I say "MINI mouse" (the two center fans and speedometer)
  • Two choices of center tachometers
  • $1850 Wired Package gives you an integrated visual display speedometer with Bluetooth/USB Audio, smartphone integration, navigation, and MINI Connected. If you’ve used BMW’s iDrive, this will feel familiar.
  • MINI Connected – infotainment system, plug in your iPhone and sync up to the MINI display. Can stream news, tweet on twitter, read facebook messages, and even check your phone calendar. Was unable to try this out due to my test vehicle lacking the required Audio/Video Y-cable (usually comes standard).
  • The standard speedometer display looks nicer and classier than the digital
  • Will rarely use the center speedometer anyways, its too hard to read when concentrating on the road. It is more for the passengers to view as a center-piece and to see how fast you are going…
     
  • Analog tachometer and digital speedometer physically attached on top of the leather wrapped steering wheel
  • Problems here for anyone over 6’ feet – hard to find a good seat adjustment to view the rev counter well, as the top portion of the steering wheel will always cover a bit of the screen (a bit of a hindrance, I’ll get over it)
  • Seats are average – hard to find a comfortable driving position
  • Rear seats are rather spacious with generous amounts of legroom and headspace
     
  • Cluttered armrest area with awkward storage spacing
  • Minimal storage areas – not much space to store in the front, rear, or trunk
  • Able to customize center rail with attachable/detachable phone holders, cup holders, or glasses holders.
  • Everything looks like it is pulled straight from an airplane – the horizontal gripped handbrake and flip-switches that operate the cabin lighting and sunroof
  • $1990 Premium Package includes a split glass sunroof – only the front one opens

Summary

  • You’re driving a pac-man? Sorry heard you wrong.
  • Best thing about Minis is the ability to customize. Want to add racing stripes? Done. Union jack side mirrors? Done. Everything from the Disney-inspired tachometer to the charming looking keyfob feels unique and special.
  • Like fingerprints, no two MINI’s are the same
  • Online MINI configurator is endless fun
  • I’ll be right back, currently customizing my future MINI

Specifications:

型号 Model: 2013 MINI Cooper S Paceman ALL4
廠方建議售價 Base Price: $31,200

Price as Tested: $37,580
軸距 Wheelbase(mm): 2596
長闊 Length/Width/Height (mm): 4120/1786/1518
引擎 Engine: 1.6L DOHC 4-cylinder turbo
最大馬力 Horsepower-HP: 181/5500rpm
最高扭力 Torque-LB-FT: 177/1600-5000rpm
波箱 Transmission: 6-speed automatic
擺佈 Engine & Drive Configuration: Front engine, AWD
前懸 Suspension-Front: MacPherson strut, coil springs, stabilizer bar
後懸 Suspension-Rear: Multi-link, coil springs, stabilizer bar
煞制-前 Brakes-Front: Vented disc
煞制-後 Brakes-Rear: Solid disc

循跡操控系统 ABS/Traction Control: Standard / ASC+T / CBC / DSC / DTC / EDLC

油耗 Fuel Consumption (City/Highway/Combined)- L/100 km: 8.7/6.5/7.7 (auto)
輪胎尺碼 Tires: Pirelli P Zero 205/55R 19

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