The new John Cooper Works version of the new Mini Paceman will be make its world debut in January 2013 at the Detroit Auto Show, but, as expected, Mini couldn’t keep it a secret until then. The first official details have been released today, while full details will arrive in just two weeks.

The JCW version will feature a more aggressive design language, with black exterior paint combined with red stripes, roof and exterior mirrors. Mini->ke57 will also add in an updated aerodynamic kit and a set of larger alloy wheels. The interior will also be a little bit sportier than on the standard Paceman and will combine the same black and red colors seen on the exterior.

Under the hood, Mini has placed the same powerplant from the Countryman JCW, so no big news here.

Updated 12/13/2012: This review has been updated with the official details, images and specs. Hit the jump to read more about the new Mini Paceman John Cooper Works.

UPDATE 01/16/13: MINI has officially released the base price of the Paceman John Cooper Works. Find out how much it's going to cost you after the jump.

2013 Mini Paceman John Cooper Works

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2013 Mini Paceman John Cooper Works
  • Engine/Motor: flat-4
  • Horsepower: 218 @ 6000
  • Torque: 207 @ 1900
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

When compared to the standard Paceman, the John Cooper Works version adds an even more muscular aerodynamic kit that transform the Paceman JCW into a more aggressive-looking model. Up front, Mini added new front and rear aprons, bespoke side skirts. On the backside, you’ll see a more muscular look. The model is further distinguished by John Cooper Works logos placed on the radiator grille, tailgate and door sill strips.

Exterior colors will include a choice of nine paint finishes, including the Chili Red shade reserved for the John Cooper Works model. The same color can be ordered as a contrasting color for the roof, exterior mirror caps and sport stripes.

The model comes with a standard set of 18-inch light-alloy wheels in a Twin Spoke Black Burnished design with polished spoke fronts and black rim. You can also opt for a set of 19-inch light-alloy wheels in Cross-Spoke Crusher design.

Interior

The interior comes in the same JCW look and will be distinguished by a sports steering wheel with red contrast stitching and JCW logo, dark-colored dials for the 160 mph speedometer and rev counter. The headliner is an anthracite color, while the gearshift lever and the floor mats all receive red contrast stitching.

The Paceman JCW comes standard with cloth sports seats in Diagonal Track John Cooper Works Carbon Black trim with red contrast stitching. Customers wishing for a sportier feeling have optional leather sports seats in Carbon Black Championship Red. The cockpit, doors and the center console are offered in black with contrasting red elements. At the rear the passengers will enjoy a pair of individual seats.

Engine

Under the hood, the new Paceman JCW has the same engine as the Countryman JCW, which is a 1,598 cc (1.6-liter) four-cylinder engine that delivers a total of 218 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and a peak torque of 207 pound-feet between 1,900 and 5,000 rpm. An overboost function allows the peak torque to jump up to 221 pound-feet between 2,100 and 4,500 rpm.

The engine mates to a standard six-speed manual transmission, but a six-speed automatic gearbox is offered as an option. The auto gearbox features a Steptronic function that allows the driver to change the gear manually using the selector lever on the center console or the shift paddles on the steering wheel.

The engine sends its power to all the four wheels via Mini’s ALL4 all-wheel-drive system that is specially developed to distribute drive seamlessly between the front and rear axles. The engine is also combined with consumption-reducing technologies, like Brake Energy Regeneration, the Gear Shift Indicator and the Auto Start/Stop function (on manual cars).

The new Paceman JCW will sprint from 0 to 100km/h (62 mph) in just 6.9 seconds. Its top speed is 140 mph for the manual-transmission version and 139 mph for the automatic one. On top of these relatively good performance specifications, the Mini Paceman JCW also save you gas money, getting 38.2 mpg.

Driveline Specifications:

Engine 1.6-liter four-cylinder turbocharged
Engine Horsepower 218 horsepower at 6,000 rpm
Engine Torque 221 pound-feet at 2,100 – 4,500 rpm
Transmission Six-speed manual (standard), Six-speed Steptronic automatic
Drive Style ALL4 all-wheel drive
Acceleration (0-100 km/h) 6.9 seconds
Top Speed 140 mpg (manual transmission), 139 mpg (automatic transmission)
Fuel Economy TBD city / TBD highway / 38.2 mpg combined


Prices

The new Mini Paceman John Cooper Works has been priced at a base sticker of

$36,200, including $700 in delivery and handling fees. Sales will begin in the Spring of 2013.

Competition

The new Mini Paceman JCW can consider itself a model with almost no competitors: the market does not offering up any compact-coupe-style SUVs at this point, but things will change significantly in the upcoming years. First to deliver such a model will be Audi with its Q1, which is a small SUV that’s based on the Audi A1 platform with a wide range of engines, going from a 160-horsepower, 1.4 TSI to a 2.0 TDI with 140 horsepower. This is a little less than the new Paceman JCW, but we’re sure Audi will also offer more powerful versions, like the S and RS version and those will get closer to the new JCW model.