2013 Mini Paceman S 'All 4' Review

On a bright sunny afternoon, I made my way to the AGMC showroom to collect the first car I would be test driving for YallaMotor. Having spoken to Mini fans in the past and given their emphatically positive views on the cars, I could not wait to have one for myself, albeit only for a weekend.

Having conducted a short research beforehand, I asked some of my friends and acquaintances about their opinions on the Mini. Broadly speaking, it was evaluated on two distinct fronts: the exterior styling and shape, which most deemed to be more female-oriented, and the drive which, almost all agreed, was fun.

Once I got the car, however, all that seemed irrelevant as I found myself in the driving seat of the 2013 Mini Paceman S ‘All 4’.

Style

The Mini Paceman is fundamentally a three-door version of the Countryman, which has been restyled to give it a sleeker, sportier look. It seems to be filling the void for consumers who, in terms of size, would prefer something between the Cooper / Clubman and the Countryman.

For the front end, Mini has stuck with a slightly modified version of the iconic grill, which is essentially the same as the Countryman. It does have a lower roof and a more raked tailgate than the Countryman, with the ride height lowered as well to give it that sporty look. The Mini we drove also came with a panoramic sunroof which was very elegantly done.

It is, however, the little things that make it interesting, such as:

• Chrome plated door handles
• Chrome framed headlights
• Subtle bump on the hood that Mini likes to call the powerdome

Interior

Inside, the car is fitted with sports seats which I found offered good support and were comfortable. There is a variety of upholstery options available for seat appearance, while the one in our car called Leather Lounge Red Copper was one I personally found especially appealing.

The car’s interior layout is striking with a few features that make it stand out from some of its competitors:

• Iconic big round speedometer with a nifty square screen in the middle
• Airplane-like switches on and above the dash
• Leather steering wheel with shift paddles
• Variable interior lighting colors
• Central control panel just next to the gearbox

Worth mentioning is the optional Mini connected electronics system, which offers additional functionality, such as Smartphone app integration. This feature provides access to social media, internet radio, and more. However, this feature is currently only available with iPhones, though compatibility with Android devices will be rolling out soon.

One interesting aspect of the interior is the center rail instead of a typical console. It offers the flexibility of sliding your attachments such as your phone, glasses box, and cup holders along the rail and placing them where you deem suitable.

In terms of size, the Paceman offers significantly more space than the Cooper, but is still smaller than some of the other hatchbacks and crossovers that we might consider as competition. The rear is fairly spacious with sufficient space for two kids or average-sized adults; however, a person on the higher end of the height scale might find it a bit cramped at the back. It's worth noting that the Paceman, unlike the Countryman, does not have a bench seat, rather two bucket seats which limits the total seating capacity to four, as opposed to five in the Countryman.

Safety Features

The standard safety equipment, as found in most vehicles these days, includes:

• Antilock disc brakes
• Stability control
• Parking sensors
• Front-seat side airbags
• Side curtain airbags

The Mini also features Automatic Stability Control and Traction Control, which prevents the front wheels from spinning. The braking system is impressive with a noticeably short braking distance. These two systems in tandem offer increased support when someone like me gets a bit carried away with the allure of the power and grip that the car can offer but needs a little extra assistance in handling the car at critical times.

Interior Verdict

Overall, the car was fairly spacious considering its size, and the decent collection of knick-knacks and the sports seats with the panoramic sunroof made it a pleasant place to be in.

There were, however, a couple of issues to keep in mind:

• The A/C had a slight issue where it wasn’t as cool on some occasions as one would desire. Perhaps it was the intense Dubai heat, the panoramic sunroof, or the lack of tinting, but it is worth mentioning.
• The controls for the backrest seemed a bit primitive and were hard to reach, definitely not ideal for a quick adjustment.
• The electronic system in the dash was less user-friendly than expected, perhaps to maintain the appearance. Despite being tech-savvy, I found it took some time to navigate the plethora of information and options available.

Drive Performance

Power and Acceleration

The Paceman I had the pleasure of driving was the turbocharged 1.6 litre Cooper S capable of producing 184bhp at 5,500rpm and around 250Nm of torque. This is a very impressive output for an engine of that size.

The acceleration is equally impressive with the Paceman S managing 0-100km/h in just under 7.5 seconds with the sport mode engaged. The engine can be pushed all the way up to 210km/h, all the while keeping you entertained with a quality turbo soundtrack.

The transmission is brilliant, and the gear changes are quick and smooth, definitely up there with some of the best I have experienced. The six-speed gearbox is perfectly synchronized with the turbocharged engine, and with sport mode enabled, the resultant satisfying roars make chasing the redline more of a pleasure than a challenge.

Handling and Suspension

Mini Coopers are popularly acknowledged to have a Go-Kart like feel to their drive, which, in terms of handling, is a very good thing. The Paceman, in my opinion, has retained that Cooper essence. The car is very nimble and handles corners very well with minimal under or oversteering. The steering is chunky, and in sport mode, one can feel the weight on the wheel, but just enough so as not to be too heavy.

It has lost some control compared to the Cooper S due to its bulkier nature and increased height, but there is no roll when going around corners despite the higher center of gravity, and the grip is quite remarkable, owing in part to the 4WD. The suspension seems to be a compromise between a saloon and a performance car, although it is on the firm side, which in my opinion is where an ‘S’ should aim to be.

Verdict

All in all, the car offers a very fun drive, especially in sports mode. Although it is small, it packs a punch, making it very suitable for driving on Dubai roads. In terms of fuel efficiency, it does very well, consuming between 6 litres and 7.5 litres/100km depending on driving style. It also carries with it a prestigious badge and the uniqueness that can turn a few heads when one cruises through JBR on a weekend.

However, there is a reason that the car is unique. The Mini, overall, appeals to a niche in the market, and I can see why. As much as I loved the drive and enjoyed the car, I could not see myself buying one simply because it is a Mini. Mechanically, the car is beyond my expectations, the interior is plush and spacious, and the functionality is great, but for me, it does not do enough to convince me to overcome that personal Mini barrier.