Category: News

Automobile drives the Paceman

The pre-production Paceman is definitely getting a work out. A few weeks ago the lads from Evo magazine had a go, now it’s Automobile’s turn.

We drove a pre-production, 1821hp Paceman Cooper S All4.

That’s a jab I couldn’t resist. But, seriously, could you imagine if the Paceman did have 1,821 HP?

As a daily transport tool, the Paceman is decently practical, and its rear seats are fairly easy to access. Headroom will be a bit tight for those over six feet, and making your escape will be a struggle for those who cast a broader shadow. The trunk is not generously dimensioned, but the rear seats fold forward. In other respects, the Paceman is much the same as the Countryman, right down to the same set of small flaws, including excess wind noise, an occasionally rattling dashboard, and the general sense that this car is not as refined as it should be.

Less than a year until it comes out, who’s in?

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The Mini MINIs as Advertising

The adorable Mini MINIs are still making waves. Not because they are cute or effective or saving time at the 2012 Olympics, but because they are seen as advertising, sort of, against the IOC rules. Logos aren’t allowed, but is the MINI a logo?

“It’s got no branding on it, it’s got no Mini badge on it,” BMW spokesman Graham Biggs said of the little cars. “But people like to recognize things and we’ve had a fantastic reaction from people who see them in the stadium. The whole idea of Mini is it’s a fun brand, the cars are cute and they have a smiley face.”

Coke isn’t happy about the lack of logos displayed during the games either.

“We recognize that people have commercial endorsements on the outside, though in a perfect world they’d be a little more enlightened and recognize Coke’s longstanding partnership and sponsorship of the Olympics,” Joe Tripodi, chief marketing officer of Atlanta-based Coca Cola, said in an interview with Bloomberg Television. “Short term, I understand what they’re doing. It disappoints us but it is what it is.”

Some great inside baseball of the Olympics here that we think is very interesting.

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Clubman S vs. Veloster Turbo

Motor Trend put the latest Hyundai against the MINI Cooper Clubman S. You can imagine how it went.

On closer inspection, the Mini — having given up 20 hp and nearly as much torque, and running slightly narrower tires along with a higher weight-to-power ratio–doesn’t appear to match its more energetically charged counterpart. And the Veloster Turbo takes 87-octane fuel, where the Cooper S Clubman thirsts for 91 or higher. It’s starting to look like the new boy is about to pull a fast one.

But the Clubman takes the Veloster to school in the real world. Quicker and more consistent in testing, more adept at communication, and compassionate at the gas pump (30.5 observed mpg to the Hyundai’s 25.2), the Mini skillfully handled mountain roads, city streets, and the highway patrol with authority and expert steering.

If you are shopping by price, the Hyundai can’t be beat. But you already know that you can’t base anything vs. a MINI on price. You base it on everything else.

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