Mini Paceman First Drive
Introduction
The Mini family continues to expand with the addition of the Paceman, essentially a two-door version of the Countryman. The Paceman four-seater offers a 1.6-liter four-cylinder with front-wheel drive, but all-wheel-drive versions get the more powerful 181-hp, turbocharged four-cylinder. The Countryman S we tested has a punchy powertrain, and it posted a very good 26 mpg overall in AWD. Downsides included frustrating controls, a stiff ride, and a noisy cabin. The car uses the Countryman's center rail system that facilitates attachments for cupholders and phone holders.