MINI Paceman Concept and Burton Snowboard Partnership Unveiled at 2010 Detroit Auto Show - COMPLETE VIDEO

DETROIT - January 10, 2011: Calling MINI's newly announced marketing relationship with Burton Snowboards a "perfect fit for the MINI brand," BMW Board Member Ian Robertson announced MINI's sponsorship of the Burton Global Open Series that will take place in Switzerland, Canada and in the U.S.

Robertson glowed with excitement about the MINI Countryman as yet another example of MINI’s success in blazing new trails with fresh and exciting models. "This car is a huge hit," he said, "Incoming orders are 30% higher than expected. Worldwide, we have already sold well over 15,000 of these cars and it already accounts for around one fifth of MINI’s sales. As of this month, the MINI Countryman will also be available in MINI’s biggest single market – the U.S. We are confident it will also receive a warm welcome here, as it has done in other markets."

But the main focus on MINI's presentation at the 2011 North American Auto Show was the all new MINI Paceman concept, whose crossover design makes it the first Sports Activity Coupe (SAC) in the small car segment.

Click PLAY to watch the complete MINI Press Conference

MINI Paceman Concept: an urban and masculine Sports Activity Coupe.

The masculine design language of the MINI Paceman Concept spotlights both the stand-alone identity of the concept and its membership of the MINI family. The four-seater study, whose two large doors and wide-opening tailgate mark it out unmistakably as a MINI, imbues the sporty, cutting-edge Sports Activity Coupe (SAC) category with undeniable appeal. The platform of the MINI Countryman, with its hallmark MINI proportions, increased ground clearance and raised seating position, defines the study’s compact dimensions.

MINI Paceman concept

The MINI Paceman Concept takes the fundamental strengths of MINI – its uniqueness, go-kart handling, agility, dynamic capability and individual design – and gives them a fresh twist with the help of cutting-edge technology and an innovative body concept. It combines a sporty, masculine appearance, versatility and coupe looks with the dimensions of the four-door MINI Countryman. And it brings together the classical MINI concept, the defining features of the MINI Countryman and the style of a coupe to harmonious effect. The result is a MINI “muscle car”, which displays its dynamic capability from every angle and showcases it impressively both when viewed from the side and in the design of the rear.