Car review: Aceman, Mini’s first EV-only model, is its ace card in its drive to go all-electric
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COPENHAGEN – Mini wants to have an all-electric portfolio by the early 2030s and the Aceman has a big part to play in that transition.
The test drive of this new electric vehicle (EV) takes place in Denmark, where more than half the electricity supply comes from renewable sources. By sheer luck or misfortune, the location offers rather unfriendly weather – cold and wet. It certainly makes the Aceman’s warm and comfy cabin something of a haven.
Unlike the recently launched Cooper and Countryman models, which are available in EV and internal combustion-engine forms, the Aceman is the first EV-only Mini.
The Aceman is shorter than the Countryman by 121mm. It is also positioned below the sport utility vehicle in the Mini model line-up. Think of it as a larger, five-door version of the Mini Cooper hatchback with a bit more ground clearance to qualify it as a crossover.
But overall, if you have been in the other two Mini models, the Aceman will feel immediately familiar. There is no particular quirk or feature that stands out. The circular touchscreen infotainment system is still impressive to look at and use.
Wide-screen: The upright driving position and generous glass area make the car extremely easy to use.
PHOTO: MINI
This model effectively replaces the discontinued Clubman, which was a compact station wagon with an unusual split rear-door arrangement instead of a typical rear hatch. The Aceman’s more conventional format is crucial in giving it the best chance for commercial success.
The exterior design resembles a cuddlier version of the Countryman, with slightly softer curves. Faux body armour in the form of matt cladding over the wheel arches and shiny plastic bash plates on the bumpers help to make the car look a bit more rugged.
Interestingly, the roof has a two-tone colour design. On the Indigo Sunset Blue car, the roof starts off as white and morphs into a bright shade of blue towards the rear spoiler.
The interior is a slight variation of the one in the Cooper. Fabric materials on areas like the door cards and contrasting coloured stitching on the seats help to make the Aceman look a bit more premium. The Cooper hatchback has more hard plastic surfaces and relatively plain upholstery options.
Mechanically, the Aceman is more related to the Cooper hatchback. They are built in China through a joint venture between BMW and Chinese carmaker Great Wall Motor.
At 2,606mm, the Aceman’s wheelbase is 13mm shorter than a Volkswagen Golf, but it still has sufficient legroom in the back.
The boot, with a capacity of 300 litres, is not particularly big or deep, but it is flat and practical, and can be expanded to 1,005 litres when the rear seats are folded.
Practical: The boot is not big, but it is usefully square and easy to use.
PHOTO: MINI
The car is 1,754mm wide, which is 89mm narrower than the Countryman. It is the perfect size to tackle the narrower country roads on the test drive with gusto.
Rather unusual for such European test-drive events, the route includes climbing up a multi-storey carpark, similar to the ones in Singapore’s Housing Board estates, for a coffee break.
The Aceman’s squarish bonnet profile makes judging the extremities a cinch, while the vehicle’s compact size and tight turning circle mean that the test car escapes the building with its paintwork unscathed and the driver buzzing with caffeine.
Mini makes the Aceman with two power output configurations – the SE with 160kW and a 54.2kWh battery, which is the only version available to drive at the event in Denmark, and the E with 135kW and a 42.5kWh battery. Both are single-motor, front-wheel-drive cars.
On the rare opportunity to stretch it to unreasonable speeds in Copenhagen, the bursts of acceleration on the expressway reveal the Aceman to be a confident steer, being settled and refined.
Mini has made quite a turnaround in 2024. From having just a single EV model, its line-up now has electric options in three sizes – the Cooper, the Countryman and, now, the Aceman – putting the English brand in good stead to achieve its electrification target.
Mini Aceman SE
Price: $237,888 with certificate of entitlement
Motors: Permanent magnet synchronous with 54.2kWh battery
Transmission: Single-speed
Power: 160kW
Torque: 330Nm
0-100kmh: 7.1 seconds
Top speed: 170kmh
Power consumption: 15.1kWh/100km
Agent: Eurokars Habitat
An insider said:
Plans to expand production of its Cooper EV to the Oxford plant in Britain are under review, according to Mr Jens Lemon, head of communications at Mini and BMW Motorrad. This means that, for now, all Cooper EVs will continue to come exclusively from the joint-venture plant in China.
BMW Group remains on target to have at least half its global sales come from fully electric models by 2030. It posted a 19.1 per cent increase in EV delivery in the first nine months of 2024 over the same period in 2023.
The ongoing recall relating to the braking system of more than 1.5 million BMW Group vehicles worldwide will be completed only in 2025. Some BMW and Mini vehicles in Singapore that are equipped with the ConnectedDrive feature will be prompted over their infotainment system if they are affected. Others will be contacted manually by the dealership.
The Mini Aceman is among the models affected by the recall, but the cars will be fixed before delivery to customers in Singapore.
