First Drive Review: 2013 Mini John Cooper Works Paceman S ALL4 By Henny Hemmes
By Henny Hemmes
Senior European Editor
The Auto Channel
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Anyway, the Paceman’s styling is not weird in the sense that it reflects that of the award winning RangeRover Evoque (but smaller).
By developing the fastest Paceman model, Mini did not have to make large investments and could just take parts out of the Countryman warehouse.
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The four-cylinder turbo engine works together with the six-speed manual Getrag transmission, which has been reinforced to meet the output of the power plant. A six-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters on the steering wheel is available as an option. Just like the JCW Countryman, the JCW Paceman has standard Mini’s All4 all-wheel-drive.
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The electronic power steering gear (EPC) feels solid and engaging and when we hit an unexpected icy part in a curve and the Mini gets into oversteer, it is easy to quickly get it back on track again. The manual transmission works fine and shifting is easy and quick.
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The average fuel consumption is stated at 31.8 mpg (EU cycle) with 172 g/km CO2 emission.
To make the Paceman stop quickly as well, it is equipped with larger, vented brakes of which the red calipers are visible through the standard 18-inch wheels and provide excellent stopping power.
Engine power is easily available and the standard All4 all-wheel-drive provides engaging handling and great traction out of tight corners. The system divides torque to the rear wheels automatically and unnoticeably up to 100 per cent, while it is usually 50:50.
The ride quality is absolutely good: the suspension well absorbs bad parts of the roads and isolates them from the cockpit. To be honest: better than I expected.
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Overall, the JCW Paceman is a nice car, but you feel the weight is playing its part. The latest addition to the JCW model line will undoubtedly attract Mini fans, something that has, of course, been figured out by the marketing and sales department. Diversifying the brand is still paying off.
The JCW Paceman is Mini’s flagship and with a price of $ 35,500 the most expensive model of the Mini brand so far. The most important difference over the Paceman Cooper S is the engine that with the larger intercooler and different exhaust offers some 35hp extra.
The new JCW model comes with a range of stability systems that cover quite some letters of the alphabet. ABS, EBD (electronic brake force distribution), CBC (corner brake control) with brake assist, hill assist, DTC Dynamic traction control, DSC dynamic stability control, DTC dynamic traction control and EDLC electronic differential lock control, which enhances traction without affecting the steering qualities in a negative way
This month, the Mini John Cooper Works Paceman S ALL4 is expected to arrive on the North American market.
Mini John Cooper Works Paceman S ALL4 Body two-door hatchback, 4 seats L/w/h 162.3/70.3/60.1 inches Wheelbase 102.3 inches Engine: 1.6-litre 4cyl turbocharger Power: 218 hp @6000 RPM Torque: 206 lb-ft @1900-5000 rpm (with over boost 221 lb-ft @ 2100-4500 rpm) Transmission: 6-speed manual, four-wheel drive Weight: 3,086 lbs. 0-62mph: 6.9 seconds Top speed: 140 mph Fuel economy: 31.8 mpg CO2: 172g/km Price: $ 36,200 (incl. $ 700 destination)