Mini Reviews

Our dog thinks he's a lap-dog, even though he's a German Short-Haired Pointer and can comfortably cover three laps if he tries - the Paceman is similarly confused, or optimistic.It's not a dog of a car as such, but it's a Mini, but not necessarily as I'd like it to be - an incarnation of the Countryman SUV platform, but with three doors, it gets the height and the heft of the AWD all-terrain wanna-be, without any AWD underpinnings, unless you ask for the JCW version.The Paceman in Cooper S guise is priced from a not-inconsiderable $44,100 for the turbo-four cylinder front-driver with a six-speed manual - standard gear includes 17 inch alloy wheels on runflats, fog lamps, rear parking sensors, a trip computer, power mirrors, remote central locking and a Sport mode to sharpen up steering (through the grippy sports wheel) and throttle response.The six-speaker sound system gets auxiliary, USB and Bluetooth (phone and audio) link, but the overly-complex menu system point-blank refused to play nice and I spent most of my time listening to the radio.Missing from the list is climate control (it's a $715 option, standard fare is air conditioning) and satnav, the latter was fitted as an option for $1150 - but a must-add is the Radio Mini Visual Boost option to get the appropriate control screen, which is another $750.Also on the test car's options list was the six-speed auto (with pointless gearshift paddles) at $2350, $1700 worth of 18 inch alloys, $475 of interior “piano black” trim bits, the double-pane sunroof (for $1990) and $800 for metallic paint - grand total just over $53,000. Ouch.Propelling the Paceman with some vigour is the four-cylinder 1.6-litre 16-valve twin-scroll turbo four-cylinder, which offers up 135kW and 240Nm (between 1600 and 5000rpm) by way of direct injection and variable valve lift control, with an extra 20Nm of torque on offer when demanded by the driver. The auto drives up the claimed fuel use figure from 6.6 to 7.5 litres per 100km - we had 10L/100km showing at the end of our time in the car.Tall and with the Countryman's bulbous snout, the Paceman isn't the most cohesive shape to emerge from the brand's Oxford digs. Function makes way for form in much of this car - four individual seats work for four adults and allowing almost reasonable amounts of space, with the centre tunnel able to have all manner of bits attached to the runners.The retro switchgear on the centre stack remains but handbrake looks more like a throttle lever from a 1980s jet fighter video game and it clashes with the auxiliary and USB inputs, all of which are difficult to get at because of the centre armrest. Bootspace at 330 litres isn't too bad (there's no spare eating into the capacity back there, thanks to runflats.While the NCAP crash testers haven't slammed a Paceman into anything yet, the Countryman donor vehicle has been sacrificed for safety and scored five stars. The Paceman doesn't have the AWD system but gets the full suite of traction and stability control systems, with the Cooper S-specific Electronic Differential Lock Control for extra traction under full throttle, automatic headlights and rain-sensing wipers, six airbags, antilock brakes and rear parking sensors.The spirit is willing but the flesh is considerable - the peppy little powerplant is asked for more by the Paceman than in it is in the 150-odd kg lighter hatch and it feels like it. The auto is not without its charms and makes the most of what it's given to send through the front wheels, but even with all the sport modes in play and manual changes made, the computer can still over-ride the driver's choice. Frustrating when you want or need to hold a gear.While the auto drinks more heavily it is on the pace during take-off - 0-100km/h is claimed in 7.8 seconds in the auto, only 0.3 of a second slower than manual. It zips through a series of bends without causing offence and delivers some fun for the driver, but it doesn't do it much better than a Countryman and is still on the heavy and tall side to live up to the Mini name.

Having resurrected the Mini Cooper S Paceman 12 years ago, BMW is gradually morphing it into an entire range. In part, this mimics the variety of the original but BMW has gone further and faster.The German luxury leader set out to make Mini bigger, so to speak; it's now on the brink of realising that goal.So a measure of its success is this: it's difficult to imagine the revived Volkswagen Beetle or Fiat 500 being able to stretch as far, despite, in the 500's case, of following the Mini example into SUVs.It's there in the numbers; the Beetle has been around longer but Mini has outstripped it in sales -- 2.3 million against about 1 million -- and now reaches 100 markets. Last year was a record 301,000 sales.There was a danger that each additional Mini variant would add only marginal extra volume, while the Hatch remained the main game. But the Countryman shows signs of being able to stand on its own four wheels, with 250,000 buyers in just three years.It has meant Mini expanding beyond its manufacturing base in Britain, with the Countryman and Paceman built under contract in Austria. The latest move is to make Minis in Chennai, India, alongside BMWs.The eventual line-up will probably reach 10 or more, with concepts such as the Rocketman (a sort of city runabout), Beachcomber (a Moke-style buggy) and even an electric Mini scooter a window on its inventive thinking.There are signs the next generation -- the third -- is well advanced and this time BMW will reap economies of scale by sharing the underpinnings with its first front-wheel drive cars.Once drivelines and trims are factored in, there are about 40 Mini variants in the price list. The latest addition is a racy variant of the Countryman called Paceman -- a sort of SUV-coupe cross. It takes the model count to seven -- more if the battery-powered Mini E or track-focused GP version are counted.Parts commonality within the Mini line-up is already extensive, with Paceman sharing its cabin architecture and layout with the rest of the range. One exception is the (welcome) relocation of the window switches to the door from their usual spot low in the centre console.The Paceman starts from $44,100 and the ergonomics remain imperfect and there are familiar negatives: hard plastics, cheap ratchet-style seat adjusters, pointless push-in-key-and press-button start, gimmicky pizza-sized central speedo.Each additional Mini moves further away from the retro starting point. They encompass the Hatch, the new Mini with the complete suite of winning aesthetics, to the Countryman and Coupe which take Mini-ness a long way from Carnaby Street.The Coupe, for example, has an odd cap-shaped roof while the Countryman moves the badge into the booming premium small SUV segment. For the first time in a Mini, you get four doors and four-wheel drive.The ability to personalise your Mini has been vital to its appeal and it makes a habit of producing themed specials, from a budget version called Ray to an Inspired by Goodwood edition decked out in the Rolls-Royce manner.There's also a Monopoly Board of trim specials called Baker Street, Hyde Park, Bayswater and more. From the outset it had a companion go-fast sub-brand called John Cooper Works.Reportedly, the interior moves up a grade for the next wave and not before time. From the exterior, the Paceman is a sheet metal twist on the Countryman. Butch and bulky looking, it's a high-riding (and substantially heavier) version of the Hatch in effect, with raised ride height. It's one of the more appealing variants visually, with the darkened B and C pillars giving a wraparound look to the glass.Design has to win because it brings little in the way of extra practicality. Getting into the rear isn't the easiest despite long doors and the two seats are suitable only for short adults. The boot is deep and rear seats split-fold, but it's not all that capacious and cheaply lined.The engine and transmission line-up is familiar too. Petrol Minis employ a 1.6-litre four-cylinder in various states of tune, shared with Peugeot. It's naturally aspirated in the budget Ray and Cooper models and turbocharged in the Cooper S tested.This unit develops as much as 160kW in its highly tuned forms. Two turbocharged diesels offered elsewhere in the Mini range, of 1.6 or 2.0-litre, are not available in Paceman here.In the manual I drove it can reach 100km/h in 7.5 seconds, with the automatic adding 0.3s.The 135kW engine is feisty enough though, sounds good for a turbo and revs to 6500rpm, pulling with conviction. A notchy but likeable gearshift complements good pedals and the steering is also a strongpoint.It's a driveable thing with a terrific chassis. You feel its added height, but it handles sweetly nonetheless. Just like a Mini, in fact. In other words, the Paceman successfully translates the recipe into yet another shape.

The latest pret-a-porter for style seekers is the non-mini Mini Paceman that begs too many questions. It echoes the practice of eccentric European tailors who smile winningly while crafting clothes from the most ghastly coloured and patterned materials for sale to the rich and ignorant.Alarm bells should have gone off in the customer's head the moment he saw the checked shirt, paisley tie and candy-striped sports jacket with an outrageous price tag -- but he’s happy knowing nobody else will have the same outfit. The Paceman is the candy-striped jacket of the car industry's wardrobe.VALUEThis depends on how much money you have and by presuming you want people to know how much the car cost you. It's a status symbol. Style, as I have already established, is in the eye of the beholder.Creating an individual car from the base Paceman Cooper S leads to the creation of a new overdraft, with a toyland of options from $200 (the rail between the seats for accessories) to $2900 (19-inch alloys). The test car jumps from $46,450 to $56,800 with goodies including a sunroof, metallic paint ($900), clear indicator lenses ($250) and sat-nav at $1900.On-road costs add about another $3500. The downside is no capped-price service deal but the good news is a strong resale value of 56 per cent.DESIGNIt's no mini car and actually falls into the SUV category. The Pacemen is the Countryman without two doors, with a body top-hat of a raked roofline and wedged side-glass profile. The nose is a downturned grimace and the bonnet bulges awkwardly like an angry bulldog's face and, clearly, it's the rear end that is the most attractive.It's also big which contrasts to a small cabin and limited interior flexibility. It seats four on individual bucket seats and the rear seats fold forward for luggage but remain intrusive in the cargo area.Mini has moved the window switches from the crowded centre console to the doors - excellent move - but the dashboard switch arrangment remains confused. The imposing centrally-placed speedo is wasted - there's a digital speedo within the tacho ahead of the driver - and personal storage space is almost non existent. Basically, it's an ergonomic spotted shirt with a paisley tie.TECHNOLOGYThe Paceman doesn't share the Countryman's optional all-wheel drive system. It remains perfectly simple with the healthy 135kW/240Nm 1.6-litre turbo-petrol engine and either a six-speed manual or, as tested, a six-cog auto with paddle shifters.It's an excellent engine, surprisingly responsive auto and a compliant suspension set on a wonderfully stiff chassis. Mini claims 7.5 L/100km for the auto - I posted 9.2 L/100km - and a decent 0-100km/h sprint of 7.8 seconds, only 0.3 seconds slower than the manual.It's affected by a portly 1405kg weight and the aerodynamics of a house brick. To save fuel there's a stop-start system and electric-assist steering.SAFETYThe strength of the car is reflected in the heaviness of the doors, the solid clunk when they close and the bit of paper that says it has a five-star crash rating. There's also some merit, depending on circumstances, in the extra height of the Paceman that may reduce passenger injury in an accident.To avoid an accident, the Pacemen Cooper S comes with electronic stability and traction control, brake assist and hill-start assist. It also has a $350 optional electronic differential to prevent a spinning wheel when cornering at speed.There's also rear park sensors and a tyre-pressure monitor. Run-flat tyres are a $250 option. For other tyres, there's no spare but Mini includes a puncture repair kit.DRIVINGFamiliarisation of the switchgear is a starting point. Even the key action - slide into a horizontal slot and press the adjoining start button - is different. Awkward, even. The central speedo is pointless and the information on its dinner-plate size dial is mostly obscured by the sun's reflection.But the engine is the Paceman's soul. It's aural, acutely responsive to the right foot while the steering is firm yet accurate and belies its electric assistance. There's some softening of the power flow because of the auto but it's not bad and can be sharpened by manually shifting through the gears.Though huge by Mini standards, the Pacemen lacks little of the brand's go-kart reputation. It points perfectly into corners, squirts confidently off the apex and delivers a pleasant and purposeful exhaust note. The ride is firm but it's not harsh - certainly less jiggly than the shorter wheelbase Mini hatch.The seats are small in width and cushion height and lack much lateral support. But they provide sufficient comfort even if the driver tends to use the steering wheel as a crutch.The auto transmission's paddle shifters are all wrong with up-down rocker shift action on both left and right sides - like the Porsche 911 - which is awkward. Again.VERDICTThe non-mini Mini with the dog's breakfast dashboard redeems itself with off-the-wall styling and a great engine and chassis combination. Would I buy one? No.MINI PACEMAN SPrice: $46,450Warranty: 3 years/unlimited km, roadside assistCapped servicing: NoService interval: 12mths/15,000kmResale: 56%Safety: 6 airbags, ABS, ESC, EBD, TCCrash rating: 5-starEngine: 1.6-litre 4-cyl turbo-petrol, 135kW/240NmTransmission: 6-spd auto; front driveThirst: 7.5L/100km; 95RON; 175g/km CO2Dimensions: 4.1m (L), 1.8m (W), 1.5m (H)Weight: 1405kgSpare: Repair kit

The fastest Mini allowed on the road will be remembered for corners rather than flat-out speed. The Mini John Cooper Works GP Edition hammers to 100km/h in 6.3 seconds.It’s impressive, but not nearly as appetising as this car’s capacity on the twisty stuff. A reinforced chassis, race-spec suspension, massive brakes and close-ratio six-speed gearbox helping keep the engine on boost make this a back-roads or track-day weapon. Australia secured 55 of the 2000-vehicle global production run and there’s still a handful in dealers.The price is $56,900 with no options boxes to tick. That buys a track-day car fitted with xenon headlamps, foglamps, airconditioning, stability control with a ‘GP mode’ for bigger slip angles, and a Sport button to sharpen up the already acute response.Competition comes from the Renault Megane RS265 Trophy Plus at $51,640, the $56,990 Mitsubishi Evolution and Subaru’s $59,990 WRX, though they all at least pretend to take passengers in the back. A massive strut brace just in front of the rear wheel arches restricts the Mini to two-seater duties only.This hot hatch is track ready, courtesy of adjustable coilover suspension to adjust the ride height by 20mm and a set of six-pot vented front brakes with more bite than a cornered politician. The stability control’s GP mode takes advantage of the upgraded hardware by only braking the inside wheel instead of also cutting engine power.The 1.6-litre turbo engine is common to the JCW family and uses an alloy cylinder block and bearing mounts, stronger cylinder head, reinforced pistons, low-weight crankshafts and sodium-filled exhaust valves. Torque is rated at 260Nm with a 20Nm overboost feature. In this well-sorted chassis, that’s enough to propel the lightweight Mini around the Nurburgring in 8 minutes and 23 seconds.The bewinged Mini JCW GP edition started out life as a regular hatch so there’s nothing wrong with its basic proportions. The designers didn’t have much say on the inside, with the rear seat ditched to make way for the brace.A chunky steering wheel fits well with the “go-kart with a roof” ethos. The exterior enhancements are all in the name of aerodynamics (red stripes excepted). A front apron spoiler and engine undertray shield have cut front axle lift and contributed to a six per cent drop in drag.The rarity of the GP Edition means it is unlikely to be officially crash tested, but the Mini Cooper base car is a five-star vehicle. There are head, side and curtain airbags along with ABS brakes linked to traction and stability control. An electronic front diff lock is also part of the safety repertoire.This is the purist’s Mini, in the sense it tracks and handles with more authority than any Mini before it and is a point-and-go rocket without being a handful. The biggest gripe with the GP Edition is the way it copes with back-road bumps, when the combination of rutted bitumen, taut suspension and rapid acceleration can briefly leave it without purchase on the road.Even then it’s predictable: the suspension refuses to squirm to the point of unsettling the car on landing and the steering resumes tracking to the degree of steering lock. Settle the nose down into the corner and the GP Edition follows the white line like Road Runner. The windier the route, the better the GP does. Passengers tend to hang on and loose items need to be secured. At least the Mini gives a moment’s warning as the turbo alters the exhaust note, or the driver downshifts entering an approaching corner …

The Paceman is built on the same platform as the more practical Countryman, but has a distinctive wedge-like shape, runs on sports suspension and is aimed mainly at young up-and-coming city slickers. It also lays claim to being the world's first SAC, or sports activity vehicle.THE RANGEPaceman come in two models, the Cooper and more powerful Cooper S, both running a BMW-built 1.6 litre four cylinder motor linked to a six-speed manual gearbox. A six-speed auto with paddle-shift is an option.THE WORKINGSThe Cooper has a 90kW/160Nm output compared to the 135/240 of the turbocharged S, which also has an overboost button that frees up an extra 20Nm of torque for a short burst. The bulldog-stanced car can get to 100km/h in 10.4 seconds with the 90kW engine while the S is three seconds quicker, but at 7.5litres/100km, it's a trifle thirstier. The non-turbo model averages 6.5litres/100km.PRICEParked in the premium compact nook of the market, the Cooper is $35,900 with the standard manual gearbox and the Cooper S is from $44,100.Mini expects most urbanites to opt for the auto shifter, which adds $2350. There's an extensive options list, from a glass roof and auto climate control to Sat nav, a 10-speaker Harman-Kardon audio and park distance control, plus a variety of alloy wheels, to customise the Paceman and adjust the price northwards.FIT-OUT AND EQUIPMENTLike others in the now seven-model range, the Paceman gets the dinner-plate sized central speedo with a rev counter in front of the driver, ambient lighting via switches above the windscreen and the full suite of electronics such as traction and stability control, hill start, brake assist and ABS. There's also an optional electronic diff lock that works when the stability control is switched off.The steering wheel is a multi-function delight and Bluetooth and a USB interface are also standard. Likewise front and rear fog lights auto-on headlights and wipers. The twin back seats can be folded nearly flat to expand cargo space from 330 to 1080litres. And that low sports suspension can be swapped for the regular set-up and ride height as a no-cost option.Seating is great, likewise visibility, and the sloping roofline is a bit of an optical illusion. The rear seats, which may appear to be squishy, can comfortably accommodate a couple of really big blokes.THE DRIVEWe spent time in a Cooper S manual and a Cooper automatic in the twisty terrain of Queensland's D'Aguilar range and on the freeways near Brisbane.The S is a potent beast, though the standard Cooper is hardly a slouch. Both have a razor-sharp electro-power steering, serious stopping power and provide a ride that's great for zipping along smooth roads, but fidgety on corrugations. The engine of Cooper auto, super-quiet inside at low speeds, howls at higher revs, whereas the twin-tailpiped turbo S provides much better music.VERDICTNeither sports coupe, nor SUV, the Paceman is more a fun package that separates the individual from the sheep.Mini Paceman/Cooper SPrice: $35,900, $44,100 (Cooper S)Warranty: 3 years/unlimited kmService interval: 12 months/25,000kmSafety: 6 airbags, ABS with TC, ESC, EBD and hill assistCrash tested: Not testedEngine: 1.6-litre 4-cyl, 90kW/160Nm; 1.6-litre 4-cyl turbo, 135kW/240Nm (Cooper S)Transmission: 6-speed manual; FWDDimensions: 4.12m (L), 1.79m (W), 1.52m (H)Weight: 1380kgSpare: Tyre inflation kitThirst: 6.5/7.6L/100km, 152/175g/km CO2 (manual/auto); 6.6/7.5L/100km, 154/177g/km CO2 (Cooper S)

Welcome to Mini edition seven. No one else on this planet can stretch one basic shape into so many different designs.When the Mini was revived in the 2001 as a follow up to the highly successful Mini first introduced in 1959 it came in a single body style. Amazingly the company has just introduced the seventh iteration.Think Mini’s cousin, the BMW X6 (Mini is owned by BMW these days) and the Range Rover Evoque to get an idea of the sales area occupied by the Paceman. BMW has come up with yet another acronym to describe the Paceman, wanting us to call it an SAC, for Sports Activity Coupe.Naturally, there’s a huge range of options and Paceman buyers seem sure to follow others in Mini land by trying to make their vehicle genuinely unique.Mini Paceman is sold in two variants in this opening phase, the $35,900 Cooper with a 90 kilowatt 1.6-litre engine and the $44,100 Cooper S with the same engine plus a turbocharger to lift its peak output to 135 kW.These prices are for the six-speed manuals, add $2350 for the six-speed automatic transmission. On-road costs also have to be factored in. Speak to your dealer for full details on the big list of options as well as the on-road price.Mini Paceman is its name and style is its game. Basically Paceman is a Mini Countryman with only two doors and a different back end. It’s a sort of a cross between an SUV and a coupe.Paceman is sold as a four-seater, but those in the rear had better be of modest dimensions unless the front seat occupants are willing to sacrifice legroom. Surprisingly, headroom isn’t a major problem because the rooflining is sculpted to make room for your uppermost region. Boot space isn’t too bad at 330 litres.Interior styling is right out there in a continuation of the Mini tradition, with a huge, but hard to read, central speedo and smaller instruments tagged on here and there. Ergonomic it’s not, so those who want function over fashion should shop elsewhere.A full-house Paceman JCW (John Cooper Works) Paceman edition, featuring all-wheel-drive, is scheduled for later in 2013. Having introduced the seventh edition of the one body shape are the guys and gals at Mini resting on their laurels? No way, the fun team has its sights set on at least one more.What that will be is secret, but chatting to insiders seems to point us in the way of a four-door sedan. Sounds boring, even the Mini stylists of the 1960s couldn't make a sedan (two-door) look like anything other than an afterthought – but who knows. Google Riley Elf and Wolesley Hornet to see what we mean.Another future possibility is the return of the Mini Moke, a vehicle that was hugely successful in Australia, being built here for many years. The rest of the world didn’t take to it, though, so who knows? The original Moke had front-wheel-drive like all Minis, but this time around Mini has the all-wheel-drive setup for the Countryman and that could be pushed under the new Moke. Here’s hoping...Paceman has a five-star Euro NCAP crash test rating, thanks to the use of front and side airbags and side curtain airbags for both rows of seats.We loved the feel and look of the Paceman’s interior during our 200+ kilometre drive from central Brisbane and up into the soggy hinterlands, where it looks as though it’s going to keep raining forever.Though some of the bumps and thumps caused by the roads being washed away under our wheels did cause the suspension to find its bump stops at times, the Mini always felt stable.The go-kart feel of the steering and the way the Mini responds to drivers’ wishes is second only to style in reasons given for buying a Mini, and the Paceman certainly doesn’t disappoint.

If you see someone driving a Mini Paceman, you can be sure they’re not on the minimum wage. Mini’s analysis has convinced the brand there is a pool of more than 270,000 potential Paceman buyers in Australia with an average age of 34, an annual income of $170,000 and a taste for trendy gadgets. In this case they’re shelling out for a lowered Countryman with two doors deleted and the same sloping roofline that’s made the Range Rover Evoque a best-seller. The Paceman was originally to be called the Countryman Coupe before a marketing type devised a more masculine moniker. The name may have changed but the aim is the same — attract more males to the brand.You can’t put a price on Mini’s appeal — you either appreciate the rock-solid build quality and retro feel, or you don’t. The Cooper-spec Paceman costs $35,900 with a six-speed manual and includes auto headlights and wipers, Bluetooth connectivity, rear parking sensors, front and rear foglights.Stepping up to the Cooper S adds a turbo to the engine and a Sport button to the console to tighten the throttle and engine mapping, 17-inch alloys and stainless steel pedals. Owners personalise their Mini and there are five pages of options to go for, from $2350 for the six-speed auto with paddle-shifters to $1900 for satnav.All the bits under the Paceman have been proven in other models. The All4 all-wheel drive system is being reserved for the quickest John Cooper Works variant due later this year, though product head Sue McCarthy says Mini may order it on the regular models if there is enough demand, in which case it will add $2900.The Paceman moniker on the tail — a first for Mini, though the Countryman will follow suit — is the easy way to spot the new kid on the street. The horizontal tail-light design is another first, and from side-on the tapering roof line is unmistakable.Inside there is space for four, with a centre rail running the length of the cabin and acting as a shift-and-lock platform for cupholders, sunglass cases, smartphone holders … whatever the Mini gurus can dream up. The designers have also relented on the window switches, which are now on the doors rather than grouped on the centre console.The Paceman hasn’t been officially crumpled yet. Given it is based on the Countryman, it will be a four or five-star proposition (EuroNCAP rates the Countryman a five, ANCAP gives it a four). Six airbags and the usual software nannies are in place.Call a car with Mini’s driving-oriented heritage a Paceman and you’d expect it to be just that. But it’s not -- at least, not when compared to the hatch. The extra weight dulls the performance edge by up to a second and makes the car more prone to understeer.You have to be trying to do it and at least then there’s the reassurance of a hefty set of brakes to quell the enthusiasm. The boot is practical enough for couples at 330 litres but a baby might have parents scratching their heads in terms of what pram to buy.

BMW was in the vanguard of the new-age nostalgia wave when it launched the Mini in 2002. The Mini was the first of a new generation of feel-good models, but few thought nostalgia would catch on.NEWOf the cars that were launched to cash-in on our need to tap into the good old days, the Mini has been the one that has cemented a place in the market. Others have come and gone, some even come again, but none have thrived like the Mini.BMW's success seems to stem from being able to capture the essence of the original Mini, whereas other carmakers simply made pale imitations of their classics. Park a new Mini alongside an original one and they are quite different, yet viewed alone there's no doubt about the new car's heritage.It still looks cute, and unlike some other nostalgia models, the fun feeling continues once you hit the road. The original Mini was noted for its go-kart like handling and the new one is just, perhaps even more, fun-packed.BMW released an update to the theme in 2010 when it added features and made some changes under the skin. The extra standard features consisted of rain-sensing wipers, auto headlights, Bluetooth, USB input, fog lights and velour mats.The major under-skin change was a new diesel, which was a larger, more efficient, BMW-derived 1.6-litre unit and injected the diesel models with more power and torque than the previous diesel. It also delivered better fuel economy.The other engines, the 1.6-litre normally-aspirated one and the 1.6-litre turbocharged unit, were unchanged. The petrol engines were available with a 6-speed manual or 6-speed auto transmission, but the diesel was only available with a six-speed manual.An auto stop-start function and a gear shift indicator were included to assist drivers get the best economy from their cars. For anyone who didn't feel comfortable with the stop-start function, BMW made the system switchable. Changes were made to the cabin as well, which were aimed at toning it down a little.NOWIt's early days as far as the 2010 update model is concerned, even the earliest ones will only have maybe 30,000 km on the clock, so there shouldn't be any issues to be concerned about.Earlier models did have their troubles with things like the power steering and gearbox, so it's important that you conduct a thorough road test, perhaps even get an experienced mechanic to do it for you. Make sure the engine starts and runs without any hesitation, that it revs smoothly up through the rev range and there are no vibrations to be felt.When you head out on the road check that the clutch engages smoothly and takes up without any hitches. Once moving run through all gears, listening for odd noises that shouldn't be there. There shouldn't be any odd clunks or groans from the suspension as you round corners or negotiate bumps.It's always a good idea to drive over speed humps, not too fast, but they are good to bring out any issues with the suspension. Operate all systems, windows, mirrors, air, sound, and anything on the car to see that it all works as it should. Previous models suffered from issues with the power windows, so checking them is a must.If it's a cabriolet you're looking at run the roof up and down a couple of times to see that it's smooth, also check for any sign of fraying, wear etc. Servicing is all-important with any car, so make sure yours has been through a workshop when it's meant to have.SMITHY SAYSNot for everyone, but driving one sure makes you feel good.MINI - 2010-2011Price new: $31,500 to $57,300Engine: 1.6-litre, 4-cylinder, 88 kW/160 Nm; 1.6-litre, 4-cylinder turbo, 128 kW/240 Nm; 1.6-litre, 4-cylinder turbo, 155 kW/260 Nm; 1.6-litre, 4-cylinder turbo-diesel, 82 kW/270 NmTransmission: 6-speed auto, 6-speed manual, FWDEconomy: 6.7 L/100 km (1.6); 6.7 L/100 km (1.6T); 6.9 L/100 km (1.6TST); 3.9 L/100 km (TD)Body: 2-door hatch, 2-door cabriolet, 3-door wagonVariants: Cooper, Cooper S, JCW, ClubmanSafety: 5-star ANCAP

A Mini for men is the pitch behind the launch of the Paceman. To date, especially in Australia, the buyer base for the Brit-built cars has skewed in favour of the femmes.The Paceman - essentially a two-door, four-seat Countryman with a lower ride height and sportier suspension - is designed to change that with more aggressive bodywork. But there’s another agenda at work here and it’s dragging the romanticism of the Mini brand down to the bottom line. This, the seventh body style for the brand, embodies the beancounters’ formula for building cars: take a proven product and wring every last derivative from it. That competence-driven approach makes economic sense ... but Mini is supposed to be about emotion and the Paceman leaves me feeling jaded.An estimated starting price of $36,000 for the base Cooper model will lift to around $45K for the turbocharged Cooper S Carsguide tested in the hills of Mallorca. A John Cooper Works version is in the works, but I’d save the cash and stick with the S - it already has enough urge to hit 100km/h in 7.5 seconds.Standard gear runs from a typically sound audio system to satnav and switchgear that feels as solid as it looks. There’s a pair of diesels in the form of a 1.6-litre D and 2.0-litre SD, but they weren’t available for the international launch on the backroads of Mallorca.There’s nothing radical here in the mechanicals or the software. Been there, driven that. So it’s good, just not new. The turbo four-cylinder is as punchy as you can ask it to be and still runs on very little petrol. The diesel will be better still in terms of fuel use.The taillights are a dead giveaway you are following a Mini Paceman, rather than anything else in the family. The horizontal design is a first for Mini and helps differentiate this car from the Countryman.That tapering roofline means rear-seat headroom is marginal and those of 180cm-plus stature may find themselves in need of a neck massage if ensconced in the back for too long. Leg room is good, though, so it may fulfil Mini’s aim of getting people to move up from a regular hatch as the little one’s get bigger.They’ll need to be big enough to do up their own seatbelts, though, or mum/dad are going to do their back in trying to stretch that far. The more masculine look works well, with the front and back having a more unshaven edge than most Minis.The Countryman’s a five-star proposition, so there’s every reason to expect the Paceman to follow the same route.Competent without being poised, the Paceman faithfully reflects its parentage. It doesn’t go as hard or corner as well as the smaller, more Mini-esque hatch but it dumps on the more upright Countryman. That’s what comes with lowering the ride height by 40mm and stiffening up the springs. Push hard and the Paceman wants to push through the corner rather than go around it but it’s testament to the chassis that a slight lift in accelerator pressure has the car back on track with very little fuss. The S version is no slouch, with a 7.5-second time to 100km/h and there’s very little evidence of the body roll that can be found on the edge in the Countryman.Rear seat access isn’t ideal, with a big step needed to clear the door sill on exit. The front seats don’t look that well bolstered but still manage to keep occupants in place even at silly speeds.

This is Mini's baseball cap car because the roof looks like one. It's also been described as looking like someone dropped a brick on it and also as a helmet. Whatever, they all seem apt enough.The gold and black striped test car would cost more than the kick off price of $42,990, probably a lot more when you tally up all the options but the good news is, you won't be disappointed.Why? Because the Cooper S Coupe has excellent performance and handling and is generously equipped in standard trim. Mini has plenty of options to add but you might only be tempted by a couple such as the stripes.Satnav is an option and there are numerous other goodies.  But you do get Bluetooth phone, multiple audio connections, climate control, power assisted ancillaries, park distance control and other stuff.Our test car was a six speed manual with a sweet shifting action and close intermediate ratios for sporty driving. It will put away a 0-100kmh sprint in 6.9 seconds bet feels quicker. Fuel economy averages 6.3-litres/100km - quite impressive when you consider the Mini's performance potential. The engine, from PSA (Peugeot) also used in various BMW models, is a 1.6-litre, direct injection turbo petrol with 135kW/260Nm output (on overboost). The look inside is modern and classy and the interior offers plenty of comfort and sporty seats. It's all soft feel and multi textures with a huge speedo in the middle that's fairly useless because of the position. Lucky there's a digital read out directly in front of the driver on the instrument pod.The Coupe is a real attention grabber that takes onlookers one way or the other, no fence sitters. We love it because it's so whacky in a cute/tough kind of way. The active rear spoiler pops up at speeds above 80kmh adding to the sporty effect generated by those imposing black alloys, the squat appearance, the muscular rump and the large tailgate covering the surprisingly big load space.There are two interior roof bubbles to give more headroom and there's enough seat adjustment for people over 185cm to get comfy.But what you need to know is how good this car is to drive. It's a step back from the hard core JCW model but is arguably a better day to day drive -- a real hoot.  There's a Sport button just in front of the gear stick that optimises a number of functions including throttle response, steering and suspension as well as opening flaps in the exhaust to give a muted 'pop' on the over-run. It sounds excellent and we had the Sport button on all the time.Though relatively small in capacity, the engine delivers maximum torque from as low as 1500rpm which translates into superb throttle response across a wide engine operating range. You can feel it in the seat of your pants and under your right foot. It's addictive. So is the way this car corners. Like a kart is no exaggeration.It sits flat and through fast corners and simply scuttles through with barely any body or wheel deflection. The brakes are right up to the task and the steering is quick and well weighted. Having a wheel at each corner is a big advantage for a front wheel drive hot hatch like this.