The Mini Aceman is a compact, all-electric crossover with a funky interior and exterior
Hot on the heels of the updated hatchback and Countryman SUV, Mini has revealed an all-new car called the Aceman – and it’s the first Mini to only be available as an EV.
Whereas the hatch and SUV can be bought with either an engine or electric motor, the Aceman is an EV-only compact crossover. It fits between the smaller hatchback and larger Countryman, and stays relatively close to the funky Aceman concept revealed by Mini in the summer of 2022.
Although there’s no word yet on whether it’ll arrive in the US, the Aceman looks like it could be a big deal for BMW-owned Mini. The sharp edges and near-vertical front end of the concept remain, while the angular headlines and octagonal grille are shared with the newly-updated (and larger-than-ever) Countryman.
The Aceman’s interior is similar to that of Mini’s other new cars, complete with a circular, 9.4-inch, OLED infotainment touchscreen sat atop a minimalist dashboard. This runs Mini’s own, circular user interface, plus there’s support for wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Priced from around $40,000, it isn't clear yet if the Aceman will come to the US
Below the unusual touchscreen sits a bank of toggle switches, with one used to flick between the car’s various drive modes. As ever with modern Minis, these include a ‘Go-Kart’ mode that promises a sharp, fun drive; other modes include Core, Green, Timeliness and Trail, and each has its own augmented driving soundtrack.
A detail that carries over from the concept is how light patterns are projected onto the Aceman’s dashboard, and these change depending on which drive mode is selected. Aas with most modern cars, the Aceman has a voice-activated virtual assistant – but unlike any other car, it’s called Spike and it is represented on the touchscreen by a cartoon dog. Other toggles are used for gear selection, start/stop, volume control and the parking brake. Putting those functions here allows space for more storage in the center console, Mini says, and that’s where you’ll find cup holders and a tray for wireless smartphone charging.
The interior also features eco-friendly materials like knitted fabric, recycled polyester and Vescin, a vegan alternative to leather.
The interior features a circular infotainment display and colored light projected onto the fabric ... [+]
Although larger than the regular Mini, the five-seat Aceman is comfortably smaller than electric crossovers like the Kia Niro and Hyundai Kona. The Mini crossover is 160 inches long, 69 inches wide and 59 inches tall, three inches taller than the Mini hatchback.
There are two versions of Mini Aceman, both with a single motor and front-wheel-drive. The first is called Aceman E and it’s powered by a 184 horsepower motor and 42.5 kWh battery pack and a WLTP range of 193 miles. Above this is the Aceman SE, which has a 218 horsepower motor and a larger 54.2 kWh battery with a WLTP range of up to 252 miles. Maximum charge rate for the two cars is 75 kW and 95 kWh, respectively, with both charging from 10 to 80 percent in around 30 minutes in optimal conditions.
The new Aceman sits between the smaller hatch (right) and larger Countryman (left).
Prices in the UK start at £31,800, which is about $40,000. It goes on sale in June and will compete closely with the Volvo EX30 and Jeep Avenger. Mini hasn’t said yet if the Aceman will come to the US.
