MINI Makes A Mini-Truck We Want, But Can’t Have

Have you noticed how huge trucks seem to be these days? Even compared to the full-size trucks of just a decade ago, today’s pickups are without a doubt much bigger beasts than the trucks they replaced. For many people, today’s trucks are just too much truck, and as useful as they may be, practical daily living with a full-size pickup is just more effort than some people want to deal with.

For those people, we would recommend something smaller, lighter, but just as practical. Something like the MINI Paceman Adventure, a tiny concept truck built by students and engineers. Too bad it stands exactly zero chance for production.

The concept was built by BMW interns and engineers in an effort to create a more useful, utilitarian version of the MINI Paceman S. Under the hood, the 184 horsepower turbocharged four-banger was left alone, as was most of the front half of the Paceman. The back half, however, underwent a radical transformation that saw a full quarter of the car lopped off and replaced by a small pickup truck bed.

That’s cool by itself, but with bigger wheels, a high-watt light bar, and an engine snorkel, this MINI is ready for adventure through small rivers and up steep cliffs. More practically speaking though, this tiny truck would be ideal for life anywhere, as a short-range delivery vehicle, practical off-road runabout, or mini-truck to get an order of IKEA furniture.

MINI has no plans to produce the Paceman Adventure, which is a shame if you ask us. Surely there’s a market for a MINI pickup?