MINI'S first Sports Activity Coupe the Paceman will feature a choice of four petrol and diesel engines when it hits the streets next March.

This seventh model from the brand is billed as the world's first car of its type in the premium small and compact vehicle area of the market and comes only as a four-seater model.

Based on the Countryman model, the Paceman has a stretched side profile with long doors, muscular flared wheel arches, integrated rear spoiler, horizontally arranged rear lights and a downward-sloping roofline.

In fact the roof can be specified in body colour - white or black.

Inside, the instrument panel features freshly designed surrounds for the air vents, a trademark large circular centre speedo with new black surround and window buttons in the door panel trim.

MINI says that powerful engines and standard lowered sports suspension will accentuate the model's go-kart feeling while regular suspension and ride height are available as a no-cost option.

Two 1.6-litre petrol and a pair of 1.6 diesel engines will be available from launch ranging from the MINI Cooper D Paceman boasting 112bhp and MINI Cooper Paceman with 122bhp to the Cooper SD version with 143bhp and the 184bhp Cooper S Paceman.

The plan is to add a fiery MINI John Cooper Works variant to the range in due course and the Paceman is the second model after the MINI Countryman which customers can order with the ALL4 all-wheel-drive system as an option.

All variants come with a six-speed manual gearbox or a six-speed automatic as an option and extensive MINIMALISM technology is fitted as standard with a Sport Button available as an option.

Standard kit includes air-con, sports seats for driver and front passenger, centre rail and radio MINI CD and there are added cost extras like xenon headlights, Park Distance Control, electric glass roof, trailer coupling, bonnet stripes, Harman Kardon hi-fi and infotainment functions available via MINI Connected.

Prices are from £18,970 for the entry level 1.6-litre petrol model to £24,290 for an SD with all-wheel drive.