Monday, 20 May 2013

Driven: MINI Paceman


 You’ve got to take your hat off to MINI, the master of niche-filling car design. There’s not a model big enough for families so it launches the four-door Countryman, but then manages to squeeze out a two-door coupé version of that as well. The Paceman lacks the practicality of its sibling, certainly from a family perspective as it’s a strict four-seater. So with ‘Aunty Alice’ visiting us this weekend it had to stay on the drive, which is a shame because it’s a fun vehicle to get behind the wheel of. The Paceman is as much a pleasure to drive as the other six cars in the MINI family, with quick, firm and direct steering that really engages the driver. Knee room in the rear isn’t great as my kids will testify, but if you wanted practicality you would have gone for the Countryman. What annoys me most is when I flip the front seat forward to let them in, it slides forward on the runners to create a space. Great. So why doesn’t it go back to the same spot every time? I then have to get in and readjust it to where I want it. Argh!

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