New MINI Aceman EV fills the gap between Cooper and Countryman

• Electric only small SUV
• Up to 252 miles of range
• Costs from £31,800

We’re told the future is electric, and the all-new MINI Aceman proves that the British brand isn’t hanging around. It’s an electric-only small SUV, designed to compete against the likes of the Volvo EX30 and Peugeot E-2008, and sits somewhere in size between the new MINI Cooper and the MINI Countryman.

The Aceman – not to be confused with the discontinued MINI Paceman from the previous decade – is a completely new model aimed at families who find a regular hatchback just too small but a regular SUV that bit too bulky. A starting price of £31,800 makes it only marginally more expensive than the electric Cooper, so it will be interesting to see how many buyers opt for the larger model when it goes on sale this June.

What do I need to know about the new MINI Aceman?

At 4,070mm in length, the MINI Aceman is around 200mm longer than the electric MINI Cooper, although they share the same platform underneath. That increase in size has provided enough room inside for five passengers, rather than the Cooper’s four, potentially making it a more practical proposition for families. This is helped further by a bigger 300-litre boot (1,005 litres with the rear seats folded).

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The Aceman is offered in the same E and SE trim levels as the Cooper, and you get the same battery and motor setups, too. That means a 42.5kWh battery for the entry-level Aceman E, providing up to 192 miles of range.

The sportier Aceman SE model sits above the E, with a larger 54.2 kWh battery good for up to 252 miles of range. It’s connected to a 215bhp front-mounted electric motor – 34bhp more than the regular Aceman E. Acceleration should be fairly nippy, with 0-62mph achieved in 7.1 seconds for the Aceman SE, while the E is only 0.8 seconds behind.

Both models are compatible with 11kW AC home charging, although the Aceman SE gets a slightly faster 95kW DC rapid-charging speed compared to the Aceman E’s 75kW. While those figures are some way off rivals – the Volvo EX30 manages 153kW and the Smart #1, 150kW – MINI claims a 10-80% top up is possible in under 30 minutes.

What does the MINI Aceman’s exterior look like?

In essence, the MINI Aceman looks like a shrunken MINI Countryman, with some unique styling details to set it apart. Chunky proportions and black wheelarch cladding help to emphasise its small SUV persona, as does a contrasting skid plate below the rear bumper.

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A set of unique angular LED headlights sit either side of an octagonal front fascia. Both the headlights and LED tail-lights can be optioned with configurable light signatures, while a choice of several wheel designs and paint colours allow for plenty of customisation.

There are three trim levels to choose from – Classic, Exclusive and Sport – each tweaking the Aceman’s appearance. Classic keeps things simple with 17-inch wheels and a black-contrasting roof, while Exclusive adds some brighter trim and larger wheels. Sport models get some race-inspired touches, from a rear spoiler to red or black bonnet stripes.

What does the MINI Aceman’s interior look like?

Inside follows the same theme found throughout MINI’s latest models. A wide horizontal dashboard spans the width of the cabin, finished in a recycled textile material. Sitting centrally is a 9.4-inch circular infotainment touchscreen, above a bank of toggle switches for important controls, such as the electronic parking brake, gear selector and volume control.

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Like the Countryman, there are no screens or dials directly ahead of the driver. Instead, all of your driving information is displayed on the central screen or the optional head-up display. There are plenty of other interior options to choose from, divided into three packages: Level 1, 2 and 3. Highlights include a sunroof, upgraded sound system and augmented reality navigation. You also get MINI’s ‘Experience Modes’, a system that lets the driver adjust the ambient lighting and driving sounds, as well as the pair of projectors that illuminate the dashboard with patterns and colours.

How much does the MINI Aceman cost and when can I buy one?

The MINI Aceman range starts at £31,800 for the Aceman E, while stepping up to the sportier Aceman SE will lift the price to £36,300. First customers can place an order from 12 June and can expect to take delivery in November of this year.

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