Just a couple of months ago, Mini announced that they will expand their line-up with a new model and that model will be the all new Mini Paceman. The Paceman is styled as a coupe interpretation of the Countryman and it is set for a launch in the United Kingdom in March 2013.

Four versions of the Paceman will be made available when it arrives, including the Mini Cooper S Paceman which will have a 0-100km/h timing of around 7.5 seconds. The seventh unique member of the Mini family will sit alongside the Hatch, Clubman, Convertible, Countryman, Coupe and Roadster.

The Paceman has been created to appeal to a new type of design-conscious customer. The prominent horizontal lines and dynamic curved surfaces give the promise of sporting performance, yet there is an elegant simplicity to the overall form of the car.

The three door Paceman is built on the Countryman platform. Bumper to bumper the car is 4,109 mm (4,115mm for the Mini Cooper S Paceman and Cooper SD Paceman), which makes it almost identical in size to its sibling.

The upright front grille, complete with hexagonal radiator grille and broad chrome surround, gives the Paceman genuine presence. Its coupe-style stretched side profile features long doors, while the blacked-out pillars create a 'floating' roof concept, as already seen on the Mini Coupe.

Available in either black, white or body colour, the roof gently slopes towards the rear of the car, ending at the spoiler. The horizontal arrangement of the rear lights, which accentuates the car's width, is a first for Mini. The Paceman is the only member of the brand's line-up to be identified by a rear nameplate.

The car's interior has been designed specifically for this model. Its highlight is the innovative rear seat, which has been styled around a lounge concept. Two individual chairs provide generous levels of head, shoulder and knee room with outstanding comfort and support. Armrests have been integrated into the rear trim. A two section version of the Mini Centre Rail storage and attachment system (first seen in the Countryman) comes as standard.

Paceman customers will have the choice of four powerful four cylinder engines, two petrol and two diesel. All come with a six speed manual gearbox, or the optional six speed automatic with Steptronic function for manual control.

The base model will be fitted with a 1.6 litre engine that generates around 122bhp, with a 0-100km/h timing of 10.4 seconds. The Mini Cooper S Paceman will get a similar engine but tuned to deliver 184bhp and a 0-100km/h timing of 7.5 seconds.

There are also two diesel engines offered. First is a 1.6 litre unit that makes around 112bhp and the flagship diesel model will get a 2.0 litre unit that churns out 143bhp. Mini’s four wheel drive system, ALL4 system, is available on all models except the base model and a John Copper Works performance model is on the way.

Driver aids such as Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) comes as standard across the range, with Dynamic Traction Control (DTC) including Electronic Differential Lock Control (EDLC) are available only on the MINI Cooper S Paceman, Cooper SD Paceman and Cooper D Paceman ALL4. Light alloy wheels in 16 inch and 17 inch sizes are standard, with 18 inch or 19 inch on the options list.

The state of the art powertrain and suspension technology is married to Mini's acclaimed MINIMALISM environmental systems, which are fitted as standard. They include Auto Start/Stop, Shift Point Display, Brake Energy Regeneration and on-demand operation of ancillary units, all of which help cut fuel use and reduce emissions.

Outstanding occupant protection is provided by an extensive range of safety equipment including front and side airbags. Side curtain airbags are fitted in both the front and back. ISOFIX child seat attachments in the rear and a tyre pressure warning are on every Paceman.

Other standard equipment includes air conditioning, powered door mirrors and front sports seats. Popular options will include Xenon Adaptive Headlights, Park Distance Control, an electrically operated glass roof plus the Mini navigation system. Advanced infotainment functions are available via Mini Connected.

Eight exterior paint colour are available including the new Brilliant Copper, Blazing Red and Starlight Blue, also previously unseen and unique to the Paceman. As always with Mini, personalisation is expected to be very popular and there is an extensive choice of bonnet stripes, upholstery variants, interior surfaces and colour lines.