The Mini Aceman Is An All-Electric Baby Crossover

The latest standalone Mini models fills the size gap between Cooper and Countryman

24 Apr 2024

Mini’s various attempts to expand its range from the core hatches and convertibles have been met with various levels of success. The Countryman is a smash hit, now in its third generation, and the Clubman did decently enough, too. The awkward-looking Coupe and Roadster are less fondly remembered, though, and the less said about the bizarre Paceman, the better.

Now, it’s time for another go, and it’s probably a safe bet that it’ll do rather well. This is the Aceman, and it ticks a lot of ‘popular car in 2024’ boxes. Electric? Tick. Small crossover? Tick. Lots of tech? Tick, tick, and tick.

Size-wise, it slots in between the trad Mini Hatch – now simply known as the Cooper – and the more family-oriented Countryman. It’ll only be offered as a pure EV, with two power outputs: the 181bhp Aceman E hits 62mph in 7.9 seconds, while the SE version packs 215bhp and a 0-62mph run of 7.1 seconds. WLTP ranges are 192 miles for the E, and 252 for the SE. Nice to see an EV where the more powerful option doesn’t take a hit on range.

As with the new Cooper, it’ll be offered in three trim levels: Classic, Exclusive, and Sport, which are largely what they sound like, with an emphasis on retro, luxurious and sporty vibes, respectively. Each trim can be further augmented with Level 1, 2 and 3 option packs. Spec everything and you’ll get Harman Kardon surround sound, heated massage seats, parking assistance and AR navigation instructions beamed onto the windscreen, amongst other things.

It’s pretty familiar inside too, with the Aceman getting the same distinctive circular infotainment screen as its siblings, as well as a small bank of toggle switches below. Say “Hey Mini!” (or shout it, as Mini seems to instruct), and you’ll activate the on-board voice assistant, which is visualised on the screen by either an animated Mini or… a dog called Spike. Awwww. As with the Cooper, there are eight different interior ‘Experience Modes’.

The Aceman starts at £31,800 in E guise and rises to £36,300 for the SE. Deliveries are expected to begin in November this year.

The first full sentence spoken by an infant Mike was a review of the ride quality of a Volvo 850. It was “Daddy’s car goes bumpy-bump on a bumpy road,” so would probably need proofreading a bit, but it was a start.