Mini decided to add some flavor to the Countryman and Paceman lineup and added a new Frozen Black metallic paint offered in a limited edition for the top models in the lineup. The new paint features a textured, shimmering matte finish and offers the Mini model a more expressive appearance.
Applying the new Frozen Black finish requires a special procedure, and Mini applies it in three layers: special surface treatment, color, then a clear lacquer finish. For the attached exterior parts, like the front and rear aprons and the exterior mirror caps the new Frozen Black metallic paint is applied separately.
This new paint is completely weather resistant and car wash resistant, but Mini advices against waxing or polishing it by hand. BMW — Mini’s parent company — offers a special line of products developed for treating the Frozen Black metallic paint finish. Typical Bimmer move: specialize everything to maximize future profits.
Click past the jump to read more about the Mini Countryman and Paceman.
Both the Countryman and Paceman models are offered in two gasoline and two diesel versions, plus the more powerful John Cooper Works alternatives.
The base model is powered by a 1.6-liter, four-cylinder gasoline engine that delivers a total of 122 horsepower, while the S versions gets a turbocharged version of this 1.6 liter engine with output increased to 184 horsepower.
The base diesel model is powered by 1.6-liter engine that delivers a total of 112 horsepower, while the SD versions gets a 2.0-liter diesel engine with an output of 143 horsepower.
The JCW version gets a 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.
MINI is extending its program of exterior paint finishes for current models to include an exclusive new variant. Frozen Black metallic paint is now available as a limited edition colour for the top of the range MINI Countryman and MINI Paceman models. This innovative paint which has a textured, shimmering matt finish, gives the car a striking and expressive appearance. The new colour and finish is available for the MINI Cooper S Countryman, MINI Cooper SD Countryman, MINI Cooper S Paceman, MINI Cooper SD Paceman, MINI John Cooper Works Countryman and MINI John Cooper Works Paceman.
The Frozen Black metallic paint finish is created using a complex manufacturing process exclusive to the BMW Group. This special painting procedure, which involves not just innovative technology but also a high level of manual craftsmanship, is now being applied for the first time by Austrian production partner Magna Steyr in Graz where the MINI Paceman and MINI Countryman are produced. The special surface treatment encompasses the base layer for grip and corrosion protection, the colour layer as well as the clear lacquer finish which has added silicates to create the matted impression as well as the velvet effect which can be seen and felt.
Attached exterior parts such as the model-specific front and rear aprons and the exterior mirror caps are finished separately in the paint finish Frozen Black metallic. Due to the labour intensive process used to apply this exclusive body colour during production it is limited to a restricted number of cars.
Frozen Black metallic is of the same high quality as the other paint finishes available for MINI in terms of abrasion resistance and colour fidelity. The finish is completely weather resistant and car wash resistant, however hand washing does require special care as spot cleaning of the surface using wax or polish can leave an unwanted gloss effect. For this reason the BMW Group offers care products developed specially for treating the Frozen Black metallic paint finish.