Mini has revealed the Paceman Coupe concept car ahead of its debut at the Detroit Auto Show in January.

The Paceman has been created for the Detriot show to commemorate 10 years since Mini’s relaunch in the USA.

Designed to be an upmarket 2-door coupe, the Paceman relies heavily on the new Countryman SUV for it’s mechanicals and is believed to be set for production in 2012, although the official go-ahead has not yet been given.

BMW says the Paceman is the first ‘Sports Activity Vehicle’ in the small car segment, but it will not be available with any of Mini’s smaller engines. An insider told Autocar that “There’s no chance of a ‘One’ version of this car”.

Although based on the bigger Countryman, the Paceman is 20 mm lower and marginally longer at 4110 mm. The loss of the rear doors allows the two remaining doors to be lengthened and a rising waistline to be incorporated, giving it a more dynamic profile.

Design boss Gert Hildebrand has taken the rear-end styling away from that of previous Minis with much more flowing lines and creases as well as tail lights that are neither small vertical units vertical or surrounded by bodywork on all sides because they cut across the shutline of the rear hatch.

Other exterior features are the bronze detailing around the badge, wheels and wing-mounted air vents as well as leather on the door handles and fuel filler cap. The colour of this show car, Jaded Green, is said to be inspired by a 1950’s Jaguar.

The interior will be largely the same as that of the Countryman but with uniquely upholstered seats.

The Paceman will be the most expensive Mini yet when it goes on sale with prices in the UK ranging from £22,000 to around £26,000.

Source: Autocar