160kW MINI JCW Paceman arrives in May from $58,600

MINI Australia has just announced pricing and specifications for the high performance variant of the newly launched MINI Paceman SUV. Priced from $58,600, the MINI John Cooper Works Paceman costs $14,500 more than the MINI Cooper S Paceman but buys a high-output JCW tuned 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivering 160kW of power and 280Nm of torque.

The peak torque is accessible from 1,900 – 5,000rpm and can be increased to 300Nm for short periods between 2,100 and 4,500rpm using the overboost function.

The MINI JCW Paceman is the only Paceman with the company’s ALL4 all-wheel drive system. The electromagnetic centre differential channels power seamlessly between the front and rear axles. In normal driving conditions, the ALL4 diverts a maximum 50 per cent of power to the rear wheels, increasing to 100 per cent is slip is detected.

The car comes standard with a six-speed manual transmission, while a six-speed auto is offered as an option. The JCW Paceman sprints from 0-100km/h in 6.9 seconds, irrespective or gearbox. Fuel economy is rated at 8L/100km and CO₂ emission is 186 g/km for the manual. These figures increase slightly with the automatic to 8.3L/100km and 193 g/km respectively.

The JCW SUV is also equipped with a Sports button in the centre console that allows the driver to tweak the engines responses and soundtrack, as well as the power assistance provided by the steering. It will also quicken shift times on the automatic transmission if fitted.

Equipment wise, the new model is fitted with a JCW Aero Kit, Anthracite roof lining and instrument dials, JCW sport leather steering wheel, red stitching on the handbrake, gearshift lever and floor mats, JCW door sills, interior and cockpit surfaces in Piano black, Sports exhaust system and 18” Twin-Spoke light-alloy wheels in Burnished Black with run-flat tyres.

Additionally the MINI JCW Paceman comes standard with the Chilli Package, which includes Cloth/leather combination upholstery, automatic climate control, electrochromatic rear view mirror, Harman/kardon sound system and bi-xenon headlights.

“The JCW Paceman is what they had in mind when the designed this model, a muscular go fast looking car with the high performance and incredible dynamics and drive enjoyment only found in a MINI,” said MINI Australia General Manager, Kai Bruesewitz.

“Australia sells the highest proportion of JCW vehicles than any other market in the world, and now with the MINI JCW Paceman we only expect this to increase”.

The MINI JCW Paceman will be available in local showrooms from May 2013.