BMW's in-between All4, the Mini Paceman concept, has been green-lighted for production.
According to BMW head of research and development Klaus Draeger, specialist automaker Magna-Steyr will built about 20 000 a year in Graz, Austria, starting in 2012 for world release in 2013.
The Paceman concept, first shown at the Detroit auto show in January 2011, is basically a two-door version of the Countryman All4 with a new grille and a tapered bonnet and roofline, running on 19" rims. It's finished in full leather with special trim and the Countryman's signature, multifunction centre rail.
That show car had a 155kW, 1.6-litre John Cooper Works but production cars will be available with a full range of engines and front or all-wheel drive. Nevertheless, BMW board member Ian Robertson is on record as saying the production Paceman will bear a "very, very strong" resemblance to the concept.