Various reporting has cited that the Mini Paceman would arrive in 2012.

Although I hate the Countryman, I quite like the Paceman. Perhaps because it looks like the Evoque (waist and windows).

If it starts just below 20 grand then it would be very interesting - a cut priced Evoque.

Not sure which one they are going to produce though?

First one is more practical (suicide doors a la RX8, not Phantom), however the second one is sleeker.

Interesting - the various iterations of the Mini continue.

Missus loves her Clubman and the extra space works for us.

Oh come on, it's going to known as the PACman, isn't it?

Do they expect people to sit in the back? Looks like they'll have to be dwarfs!

First one is more practical (suicide doors a la RX8, not Phantom), however the second one is sleeker.

Isn't that the same as the Clubman: single door on driver's side, double door on passenger side?

Actually, now I come to think, the Clubman is the other way round - because they don't produce a RHD version of the asymmetric doors. Maybe they've fianlly realised that they need to do that?

Oh come on, it's going to known as the PACman, isn't it?

Do they expect people to sit in the back? Looks like they'll have to be dwarfs!

Or the P..eman

I hope it has more room inside than the Evoque which I found cramped and claustrophoic.

Retro design is a closed loop leading absolutely nowhere. MINI will struggle to get something out other than a rehash of this MINI shape again and again and again... Look at this artist impression of the future Clubman:

MY EYES MY EYES!!!!!!!!!!

But then it worked for Porsche on the 911 for decades now...

The Paceman is a sort of Evoque yes. Albeit slightly cheaper I'd hope. But how many three door pancake cars have you seen? VERY few as most pancake cars are five door versions. The five door version of the Paceman is in fact the Countryman which is well just a hideously bloated MPV sort of thing - yet without the clever seats. So people wanting an Evoque (or a stylish SUV) won't dream of looking at it.

MINI is more about marketing a lifestyle than the cars alas. Certain people buy them and "live" them. They are so intent on getting this "lifestyle" that they don't see past the children's playground interior or the going-nowhere design. But each to their own. Someone will buy them. It won't be me in a million years though. But a pancake car? Oh YES! I'd buy one in a heartbeat had they not been so stupidly expensive for the amount of metal and toys you get!

MINI is more about marketing a lifestyle than the cars alas

900000, that’s what I used to think. Three years ago when I was looking for a small fast fun and cheap to run car I tested everything except the MINI (MX5, Golf GTI, Civic Type R, Alfa Mito), they all left me feeling: that was nice but so-what. I drove a MINI Cooper S just to get complete coverage and I was blown away. Admittedly the interior is a bit unfortunate but the only time I look in is to check the speed on the digital readout right in front of me. I never ever look at that tragically large central speedo (except to change the radio station).

The buying experience for the Yeti was much the same, I was waiting for the VW salesman to sort out a Tiguan test drive, wandered next door to Skoda, 1.8TSI demo outside, 10 minutes later I was off on a test drive and a couple of weeks later that demo was mine.

I love both the MINI and the Yeti, on a good day they can both make my drive to work a joy.

And, on topic, the PACman looks nice but not for me, (though maybe if I drive one...).

Edited 3 February, 201214 yr by Timmy 7

I had an 02 Cooper s (when the centre dial was merely excessively not laughably large) and it was enormous fun-a very potent smooth tarmac car which steered in a grin inducing way.

It was a bit twitchy if the front tyres were worn but great.

You will notice the phrase smooth tarmac-it was hopelessy bad on anything at all lumpy or broken so not really suitable for UK roads and especially hopeless in london.

Fabulous overnight sprint to Le Mans though!!

I had an 02 Cooper s (when the centre dial was merely excessively not laughably large) and it was enormous fun-a very potent smooth tarmac car which steered in a grin inducing way.

It was a bit twitchy if the front tyres were worn but great.

You will notice the phrase smooth tarmac-it was hopelessy bad on anything at all lumpy or broken so not really suitable for UK roads and especially hopeless in london.

Fabulous overnight sprint to Le Mans though!!

The centre speedo (I have the big one) is embarrassingly large, but I have pretty much forgotten it's there to be honest. My MCS is pretty good on bad roads but not as good as the Yeti.

I prefer Pacman myself

Timmy7 and JCP I hear you... and yes I'm painting with a wide brush in what I said. I know they are terrific handling things. Eyes closed yes they are amazing at the handling thing. But alas, my eyes need to be open to drive and I prefer my MX-5 for a weekend good handling car, over a MINI with challenging interior "styling". [i won't be seen dead in a MINI cabriolet I'm sorry].

I have a 1967 Austin Mini Super Deluxe in flawless Almond Green tucked in my garage.

Now that's a proper Mini

I'm sorry but I simply cannot stand the abomination that is the 'BMW' MINI, whatever form it is in. Why am I apologising? :no: