Over time, the Mini Countryman has grown in measurement to the extent that it contradicts the model’s very identify – there’s nothing ‘Mini’ concerning the small SUV any longer. That’s good for practicality, in fact, however what if you’d like a extra compact crossover with the Mini badge on it?
Effectively, there’s excellent news: the BMW-owned, British compact-car firm is about to fulfill your necessities with the Aceman, a lightweight SUV that’s sized and priced nearer to the electrical Cooper three-door than it’s to the larger, stockier Countryman, and will probably be obtainable solely with electrical energy.
There are two battery sizes and two energy outputs for the devoted electrical SUV, and the Aceman – a reputation that hyperlinks again to the short-lived and complicated Mini Paceman crossover bought right here for a number of years from 2013 – guarantees all the typical Mini glitz and glamour, solely in a compact, zero-emission bundle.
To seek out out if it might probably compete on the chopping fringe of the small electrical crossover market when it arrives right here in Australia later this yr, we drove the extra {powerful} Aceman SE at its worldwide media launch in Denmark, one of many world’s most EV-friendly nations.
We examined the brand new Mini on Copenhagen’s congested metropolis streets, whereas additionally taking it out for a protracted spin within the countryside surrounding the capital.
How does the Mini Aceman examine?
View an in depth breakdown of the Mini Aceman towards equally sized automobiles.
Mini
Aceman
How a lot does the Mini Aceman value?
The 2 front-wheel drive mannequin variants obtainable are the 135kW Aceman E, which retails at $55,990 earlier than on-roads, and the 160kW Aceman SE, ranging from $60,990 plus on-roads. The E solely is available in Traditional trim, whereas the SE presents a extra beneficiant Favoured tools specification.
These costs put the brand new Mini crossover proper within the combine with the likes of the Cupra Born ($59,990), the most cost effective Hyundai Kona Electrical ($54,000), the Kia Niro EV ($66,590), and maybe its most evident, direct rival, the fashionable Volvo EX30 ($59,990).
Nevertheless, the Aceman is much more costly than Chinese language-built alternate options just like the BYD Atto 3 ($44,499) or MG ZS EV ($39,990), and essentially the most primary Aceman can also be barely pricier than the a lot greater and longer-range Tesla Mannequin Y Rear-Wheel Drive ($55,900).
To see how the Mini Aceman stacks up towards its rivals, try our comparability software
What’s the Mini Aceman like on the within?
Mini prides itself on offering a premium inside expertise in all of its fashions, and with the swish design and attention-grabbing supplies of the Aceman, the compact electrical crossover doesn’t let the aspect down.
Should you sit in it and a Countryman in a Mini showroom, you’ll discover the Aceman’s inside is extra fastidiously constructed down to a price – its air vents, for example, are significantly much less fancy, whereas among the plastics decrease down really feel cheaper.
Additionally, we’re baffled as to why that leather-based strap on the fascia behind the steering wheel couldn’t have been made barely elasticated, so it might have had a sensible objective (resembling holding parking tickets, cost playing cards or related) somewhat than being purely ornamental.
Up entrance, all the things above the beltline of the cabin, plus the John Cooper Works seats within the SE Favoured, is superb. The centrepiece of any trendy Mini is the 9.4-inch, round touchscreen infotainment show.
As a result of nearly all the primary data and features of the Aceman run by this, there is no such thing as a devoted instrument cluster behind the steering wheel – as a substitute, all variations include a fold-out head-up show.
Past this, numerous gold detailing and attention-grabbing bits just like the ‘floating’ pull handles on the doorways couple with the material and patterned dashboard to provide the Mini a suitably upmarket atmosphere.
A lot use of recycled and eco-conscious supplies abounds contained in the Aceman, however you wouldn’t know this as a result of it feels of top of the range all through. This consists of the ‘Vescin’ seat upholstery, which appears to be like and seems like plush leather-based however is, in reality, not leather-based; vegans might be happy.
There are idiosyncrasies of this set-up, as a result of the Aceman depends closely on the touchscreen for many of its operations. Switchgear is minimal and lowered to nothing greater than column stalks, steering wheel buttons and a panel of essential controls under the touchscreen.
Amongst them is the engine begin/cease ‘tornado’ and even the transmission swap, which doesn’t look that a lot totally different to the one which cycles by the ‘Expertise Modes’.
There are additionally 5 additional key shortcuts beneath the toggles, however whereas two of these are climate-related (heated rear display and entrance demist), the remainder of the in-car consolation features require loads of tapping on the round show. Which isn’t all the time essentially the most intuitive factor to do when you’re on the transfer.
A minimum of the driving place is nice, with numerous adjustability within the seat and wheel, whereas the visibility in all instructions can also be high quality. So ergonomically, the Aceman’s inside will get a move – nearly – however it’ll want some acclimatisation earlier than a driver absolutely will get to grips with it.
If the entrance of the cabin is successful, the rear of the Aceman is much less pleasing. Not that the fabric high quality drops off right here considerably, however somewhat {that a} acquainted trendy Mini foible involves the fore: poor packaging.
As a five-door wagon, the Aceman is meant to be roomier and extra accessible within the second row than the three-door Cooper electrical hatch, however legroom within the again is restricted for even folks of common top.
Additional, it’s claimed to be a full five-seater, however the rear bench isn’t vast sufficient for 3 folks except they’re all kids, whereas the squab of the central place is excessive and slim.
Additionally, despite the fact that there’s no combustion model deliberate, weirdly there’s a hump within the centre footwell and the rear of the entrance console extrudes into the world the place a passenger’s shins could be, so we’d be rather more inclined to think about the Aceman as a four-seater.
A minimum of there are two charging sockets within the again, and on the rear of the automotive is a modest however useful-enough 300-litre boot. Drop the 60:40-split folding rear seats and that determine rises to 1005 litres.
To see how the Mini Aceman stacks up towards its rivals, try our comparability software
What’s below the bonnet?
Mini is adamant that there aren’t any petrol variations of the Aceman within the pipeline, so it’s a selection of electrical solely.
Each variants are single-motor, front-drive automobiles, with the E having a smaller battery (38.5kWh), a less-powerful motor (135kW) and even a decrease most DC charging price (75kW). That’s why we’d advocate wanting on the uprated SE variant, which ought to show to be extra usable in a wider vary of driving situations.
Charging instances for the SE take as little as 31 minutes at its 95kW most DC price, for a 10-80 per cent battery cost, whereas on the different finish of the spectrum a 7.4kW AC wallbox would wish 9 hours to take the battery from 0-100 per cent.
To see how the Mini Aceman stacks up towards its rivals, try our comparability software
How does the Mini Aceman drive?
Mini all the time likes to play on its ‘go-kart’ dealing with – certainly, essentially the most targeted Expertise Mode obtainable for the Aceman is Go-Kart, and when it’s chosen a voice shouts ‘Wahoo!’ like Toad from Mario Kart getting a turbo enhance – however it’s value remembering this electrical crossover, with the bigger 49.2kWh battery pack, weighs nearly 1.8 tonnes.
Granted, that’s not an obscene quantity of weight for an EV, however the Aceman is a comparatively small automotive. That’s why we reckon the 160kW SE is unquestionably the way in which to go, as a result of it has sufficient efficiency to go from 0-100km/h in 7.1 seconds.
That one metric alone doesn’t discuss how energetic the Mini feels below roll-on acceleration, as a result of a meaty 330Nm makes it suitably swift to reply to accelerator inputs when it’s already rolling alongside at any velocity this aspect of 100km/h.
Nevertheless, for all its velocity and Mini’s allusions to sporty dealing with, the Aceman isn’t thrilling to drive.
It’s not dangerous, in fact, with acceptable physique management, numerous grip and traction, and a reluctance to really feel prefer it needs to understeer at each nook taken at affordable tempo, however the steering is merely good somewhat than excellent, so that you don’t construct a lot of a rapport with what the chassis is as much as.
The Aceman is actually able to stringing some corners collectively in a reliable style, however it’s not significantly memorable or partaking.
Whereas it’s a comfy, quiet and refined automotive, there’s a slight downside associated to the 19-inch alloys (they’re of various designs, however each the E Traditional and SE Favoured have the identical measurement wheels).
Given the supposedly sporty ethos of the automotive, the Aceman has fairly agency suspension and so, on the 19s, lumps and bumps on city tarmac are exacerbated, resulting in a considerably crunchy low-speed journey. It’s by no means horrible, however it’s noticeable.
There are additionally circumstances when the Mini can really feel like it’s bouncing over washboard surfaces, somewhat than attempting to easy them out. However on the whole, as soon as speeds rise and street situations enhance, the Aceman comes throughout as grown-up and cultured.
It limits wind, tyre and suspension noises properly, whereas the damping comes into its personal at 70-80km/h.
If Mini had targeted on emphasising its cultured nature, the Aceman could possibly be thought of extra of successful than it’s, given the corporate is enjoying up the dynamic points of its character, which really feel surprisingly subdued – however there’s a 190kW John Cooper Works flagship within the pipeline and it’ll in all probability handle these dealing with points head-on.
To see how the Mini Aceman stacks up towards its rivals, try our comparability software
What do you get?
There’s a beneficiant customary tools checklist for each the E Traditional and SE Favoured variations of the Aceman, however the latter actually will get some juicy extras that make its elevated buy worth extra palatable.
Mini Aceman E Traditional highlights:
19-inch Everlasting Spoke two-tone alloy wheelsLED headlightsCustomisable daytime operating lightsClassic exterior design particulars with piano-black highlightsPanoramic glass roofParking Assistant Plus (consists of semi-autonomous parking help)Black/Blue material and Vescin leatherette upholsteryHeated entrance seatsHeated steering wheelAmbient lighting6-speaker 100W sound system240mm spherical OLED infotainment touchscreenWireless Apple CarPlay and Android AutoAugmented actuality satellite tv for pc navigationInterior cameraHead-up displayKeyless entry and start60:40 break up/fold rear seats8 selectable Mini Expertise modes
Aceman SE Favoured provides:
19-inch hexagram spoke two-tone alloy wheelsFavoured exterior design particulars with Vibrant Silver highlightsDark Petrol Vescin upholsteryPower driver’s seat with memoryActive driver’s seatJohn Cooper Works entrance seats10-speaker 315W Harman Kardon sound systemWireless telephone chargerAnthracite headliner
To see how the Mini Aceman stacks up towards its rivals, try our comparability software
Is the Mini Aceman secure?
The Aceman hasn’t been assessed by both ANCAP or Euro NCAP but, however the usual security tools is beneficiant sufficient, and the SE additionally advantages from blind spot and lane change monitoring to provide it a good stage of superior driver help tech.
Customary security tools consists of:
Adaptive cruise controlParking Assistant with Encompass View cameraSteering and lane centring assistantAutomatic velocity restrict assistHead-up displayAugmented actuality satellite tv for pc navigation
How a lot does the Mini Aceman value to run?
The Mini Aceman is roofed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre car guarantee and an eight-year battery guarantee.
Mini says the 38.5kWh battery within the Aceman E is nice for as much as 309km on a single cost, whereas the 49.2kWh unit within the SE will increase that functionality to 405km.
Apparently, throughout our check drive throughout 175km, we managed to realize a formidable 12.9kWh/100km with out driving it with a particular concentrate on economic system, which might work out to a real-world vary of 381km with little effort.
CarExpert’s Tackle the Mini Aceman
The Aceman has all of the instruments to soar as one other gross sales success for Mini.
It appears to be like good and chunky on the skin, the inside is elegant and well-appointed, and the way in which it drives is likeable, easy and easy-going.
With smaller battery packs, the Aceman is aimed squarely at ‘trendy urbanites’, so it’s not going to go well with all wants – particularly if you happen to do numerous long-distance driving, frequently.
However if you’d like one of many higher, extra fascinating compact electrical crossovers available on the market, the Mini Aceman ought to be fairly excessive up in your checklist of potential automobiles.
Curious about shopping for an Mini Aceman? Get in contact with one among CarExpert’s trusted sellers right here
Click on the pictures for the complete gallery
MORE: Every part Mini Aceman
