MINI ACEMAN DEBUTS AS FUNKY ALL-ELECTRIC CROSSOVER

The long-awaited Mini Aceman has finally been revealed, with the crossover making its official debut at Auto China (also known as the Beijing Motor Show). Slotting between the Cooper Hardtop and the larger Countryman, the all-electric Aceman offers city dwellers a compact alternative to the Countryman without sacrificing the crossover style and ride height.

Available exclusively with an electric drivetrain, the Aceman will be offered in two different flavors. The entry-level Aceman E produces 181 hp and 214 lb-ft of torque. That may not sound like much, but acceleration is respectable, with the 0-62 mph spring requiring 7.9 seconds. The top speed is limited to 99 mph. The more energetic Aceman SE has 215 hp and 243 lb-ft, which shaves 0.8 seconds off the acceleration time. The top speed is pegged at 106 mph.

Power, Performance, And Charging Times

The Aceman E is equipped with a 42.5 kWh battery, which provides a range of 193 miles. The SE receives a larger 54.2 kWh pack, increasing the range to 252 miles. It’s worth noting that these estimates have been calculated using the WLTP cycle. Should the Aceman arrive in the United States, we can expect more conservative estimates. When plugged into a DC charger, the battery of the E and SE derivatives can charge at 75 kW and 95 kW, respectively. This means the battery can charge from 10-80% in less than 30 minutes when using a fast charger. With Mini Navigation, the Aceman can pre-condition the battery en route to a charging location.

It may be a compact crossover, but Mini promises the Aceman has a sporty spirit, reflected in the lively driving dynamics. The damping system has pre-stressed stabilizers that improve the steering feel and precision. The automaker says the throttle has been programmed to feel responsive, while the brake pedal has a short travel distance with firm feedback. The various Mini Experience Modes (more on this later) offer different suspension setups, allowing the driver to tailor the vehicle to their needs. Even the traction control is programmable, which means the driver can adjust the intervention according to their driving skills.

Funky Design Will Appeal To Style-Conscious Consumers

When we first saw the Aceman in leaked images, we were unconvinced by the styling. Happily, the crossover looks much more appealing in the photos seen here. The front fascia is instantly recognizable as a Mini, with the familiar grille shape and light design. However, the Aceman’s LED headlight clusters are more angular than the Mini Cooper Hardtop models, highlighting its unique position within the range.

In keeping with Mini’s sustainability goals, the Aceman lacks unnecessary exterior trim. This is highlighted by the lack of chrome trim and the Aceman's clean design. With black plastic trim, the squared-off wheel arches lend the city slicker some rugged flair. The shape of the trim itself is exclusive to the Aceman and contributes to the compact and upright appearance. Flush-fitting door handles aid efficiency and contribute to the range. Round back, a lengthy roof spoiler extends over the slanted rear window, giving the Aceman a sporty look. The matrix rear lights have three available graphics.

Four Distinct Trim Levels To Choose From

Customers can choose from four trim levels: Essential, Classic, Favoured, and JCW. The Essential trim is the entry-level grade, while the Classic receives a contrast roof and side mirrors that can be painted black or white. The front grille gets a high gloss black finish, and the inner grille and bumper finish are in the body color. Upgrading to the Favoured trim adds the Multitone Roof, white mirror caps, and a Vibrant Silver grille frame. The JCW trim injects some sportiness into the styling with black JCW logos, red bonnet stripes, and a Chili Red contrast roof. There are various wheel designs available, sized between 17 and 19 inches. It may not be as striking as the Aceman concept, but it's still a funky-looking thing that will appeal to trendy consumers.

The interior is delightful, following the ‘Charismatic Simplicity’ design concept. The fascia is dominated by the round OLED display positioned in the middle of the dashboard. This simplistic design is inspired by the original Mini, injecting some heritage into the Aceman’s interior. Mini has used plenty of sustainable materials, including recycled polyester on the door trims. The seats are trimmed in the customer’s choice of Vescin (vegan artificial leather) or tasteful textile upholstery. Despite the compact exterior dimensions, the Aceman offers up to 10.6 cubic feet of trunk space, extended to 35.5 cubes when the 60:40 split-folding backrest is stored flat.

Different Interior Themes To Match Customer Needs

The interior theme changes based on the chosen trim. In the Aceman Essential, the cabin receives black sports seats with patterned textile upholstery and a colored inlay on the dashboard. The Essential makes do with a two-spoke steering wheel. Upgrading to the Classic nets customers a three-spoke steering wheel, Vescin or fabric-trimmed seats, and black/blue knitted surfaces on the dash and doors. The Favoured grade receives a Dark Petrol dashboard with an orange color gradient on the dashboard.

Aceman Favoured enjoys Vescin-trimmed sports seats with accent stitching. Lastly, the JCW receives model-specific seats with increased lateral support. The seats are trimmed in faux black leather, red stitching, and multicolored knitted textiles. The 9.4-inch OLED circular display uses the BMW Group’s Operating System 9 software, allowing the infotainment system to be controlled by touch or voice command. Features such as navigation, phone, climate control, and media are controlled via the touchscreen.

Customizable Experience Modes

Through the Mini Experience Modes, drivers can choose from up to eight distinct drive modes. This includes Personal Mode (which allows for customization), Core Mode, Vivid Mode, Go-Kart Mode, Green Mode, Timeless Mode, Trail Mode, and Balance Mode. Each drive mode has distinct interior ambient lighting, while the Mini Driving Sounds add an extra layer to each mode with a unique sound tailor-made to match the experience. In Go-Kart Mode, for example, the interior lighting changes to red/anthracite, with analog-style displays.

Safety And US Availability

On the safety front, the Aceman is equipped with Driving Assistant Plus with lane and steering assistance. There’s also a Trailer Assistant that makes it easier to park the vehicle when towing a trailer. Positioning the car within tight spaces should be easy, thanks to the surround-view camera system and twelve ultrasonic sensors.

Mini has yet to say when the Aceman will be made available, but we expect it to reach European and Chinese dealerships by the end of the year. It’s worth noting that the automaker is yet to decide whether the Aceman will be offered in the United States, but it is under consideration, despite being produced in Wuhan, China.

2024-04-25T00:05:56Z dg43tfdfdgfd