New Five-Door Electric Mini: Aceman
Since they were first introduced in the 1960s, Minis have always been fantastic cars for the city. They’ve always packed a lot of space into a compact package, and have offered zippy acceleration, a tight turning circle, and great visibility that make urban driving a breeze. Those attributes are even more obvious, and appealing, in the three-door electric Mini Cooper. Until now, there hasn’t been an electric Mini for drivers that need more doors, or more space. All that changes with the new Mini Aceman, a premium five-door EV hatchback stuffing the most space possible for four in a compact package.
In body that measures under 160 inches long, the new Mini Aceman provides space for four comfortable seats – five at a pinch – as well as impressive cargo space, a cutting-edge digital user experience, and electric all-wheel drive. In length, it sits in between the new three-door Mini Cooper and the larger Mini Countryman crossover. In the way it looks, it combines the effortless class and style of the smaller car with a little bit of the crossover ruggedness and attitude of the larger car.
Mini Aceman: Range and Charging
Designed primarily for urban use, the Mini Aceman will be available in two versions, at least for Europe. The entry-level Aceman E has a 42.5-kWh battery, which powers a 184-hp electric motor that can zip it to 60 mph in under eight seconds, and push it to a top speed of 100 mph. EPA range estimates on the European WLTP cycle are up to 192 miles, which doesn’t sound like a lot, but with home charging, that’s more than enough for daily commuting or use as a second car for running around.
The Mini Aceman SE steps up both performance and range. The battery is enlarged to 54.2 kWh, leading to a European WLTP range estimate of 252 miles; expect the EPA range ratings to be slightly lower. The SE model has more power than the Aceman E, with 218 hp enabling it to duck under 7 seconds to reach 60 mph, and a top speed of 110 mph.
Both the Aceman E and SE can be charged rapidly at home. The standard on-board charger can take in electrons at up to 11 kW, over 30 percent faster than most mainstream EVs, when connected to a compatible Level 2 unit. On a Level 3 public charger, the Aceman E can charge at 75 kW, and the Aceman SE can charge at up to 95 kW, allowing both to be charged from 10 to 80 percent in under half an hour.
On a road trip, the Mini navigation system can identify the fastest available chargers, and pre-condition the battery to be at the ideal temperature for fast charging – significantly reducing charging times in cold temperatures. Drivers can also program home charging to take place at the most economical times, as well as pre-heat or pre-cool the cabin so the car is at a comfortable temperature when they are ready to set off.
Mini Aceman: Combining Agility and Comfort
Thanks to its standard all-wheel drive, the Mini Aceman should have outstanding grip and stability in all conditions. Its large wheels and tires not only give it visual presence, but enhance the driving dynamics and ride quality thanks to a decent-sized sidewall. The floor-mounted battery lowers the car’s center of gravity, which means that, combined with the traditionally quick Mini steering and responsive brakes, this car should be a blast around town and on the open road.
Both the Aceman E and Aceman SE are equipped with highly-pressurized dampers that Mini says improve steering precision while reducing roll. Drivers can choose from multiple drive modes that range from comfortable to ultra-sporty, giving the Aceman a wide bredth of driving personalities. Drive modes alter the steering weight, stability control system, and the responsiveness of the electric motors.
A full array of driving assists are standard, including “cooperative” steering that can help keep the car in a lane on the highway, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitor, and more. There’s also an automated parking system which can identify vacant parking spaces and automatically reverse or even parallel-park, making city driving a breeze. For the tightest spaces, the car can even be parked by remote control using Mini’s smartphone app.
Mini Aceman Design
Designed from the ground up as an electric car, the Aceman can maximize the available space within its compact footprint. It has four adult-sized seats, a completely flat floor with no transmission tunnel, and still manages to have a useful cargo area, which can be expanded by folding the back seats.
In addition to having a lot of space, the Aceman has lots of personality. Drivers can customize the light signature of the striking LED headlights, and the overhangs are very short, giving this compact crossover a pugnacious, ready-for-action stance. There’s a huge variety of colors to choose from, and like other Mini models, contrasting roofs and special graphics let owners tailor the car to their own tastes. Textured, rugged body cladding shrugs off urban scrapes and dings. Wheels range in size from 17 to 19 inches.
Sustainable and Stylish Interior
Simple but stylish, the interior of the new Mini Aceman has been designed to be sustainable and long-lasting. The gently rounded dashboard is covered with a novel knitted polyester material that combines the color of the seat fabric with a lower layer that is matched to the exterior of the car. The steering wheel and other controls use a synthetic leather without any animal products that is long-lasting and easy to maintain.
Like the latest electric Mini, the controls are radically simplified. The gear selector, window switches, and other controls are all clustered in a little pod hanging from the bottom of the dashboard which is easy to reach and operate. Everything else is operated through a large circular OLED glass touchscreen, which is very crisp and responsive. Its graphics and colors – as well as the interior’s ambient LED lighting – change based on which drive mode you have selected – from classic to high-tech and everything in between. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard.
Arriving In Showrooms This Year
The new Mini Aceman will arrive in dealer showrooms soon. The company has yet to announce a starting MSRP, but expect it to fall in between the three-door electric Mini and the new Mini Countryman.
As such, this will be a premium-priced electric crossover, more expensive than something like the Hyundai Kona Electric or Kia Niro EV, both of which arguably offer more space, features and range. But if you love the look and feel of a Mini, and value nimbleness, maneuverability, and the distinctive driving feel they offer, the Aceman may be the electric car for you.
