Magna Steyr’s New BMW Contract Could Spell The End Of MINI Paceman

Looking back at the Mini Paceman, 10 years from now, we’ll probably think about it as an automotive oddity that somehow managed to make it into production.

Unlike present-day SUVs with sloping roofs that try to pass off as coupes, the Paceman was a true 3-door crossover, adopting a rarely seen layout in today’s world. Based on the Countryman, the model shared a lot with its subcompact sibling, but it won’t share a future.

The awkward looking Mini will soon be history, as Magna International Inc – the company that manufactured both the Countryman and the Paceman – recently won a contract to build BMW’s new 5 Series sedan at its vehicle assembly plant in Graz, Austria.

The Plant also manufacturers Mercedes’ G-Class model and will begin production for Jaguar Land Rover in 2017. That means there’s no more room for making Minis, and while a new Countryman is expected, there’s absolutely no word about a Paceman.

As a matter of fact, a recent report suggested that the company officials have decided to reduce the range from eight to just five model variants, including the three and five-door hatchback, the Countryman, and the Cubman.

So, if the Paceman was your favorite Mini, you should immediately start configuring one.