Overview

FILLING the middle ground between the Cooper and Countryman, the all-electric Mini Aceman is a funky five-door take on the SUV-meets-hatchback genre. Cute, fresh, and brimming with technology you might actually appreciate, the Aceman is, well, ace, man!

Built in China, the Aceman is currently available from $51,990 drive-away in entry-level E format. SE grades start at $60,990 plus on-road costs while the soon-to-arrive JCW will enter from $65,990, again plus on-road costs.

The urban-centric Aceman shares some of its underpinnings with GWM and is produced at a shared facility northwest of Shanghai. It is offered with a choice of front-wheel drive powertrains, the E with 135kW and 290Nm drawn from a 38.5kWh (net) battery and the SE 160kW and 330Nm via a 49.2kWh (net) battery pack.

Acceleration times for the duo are listed at 7.9- and 7.1 seconds respectively, with a driving range of 310km in E form and 406km for the SE.

Both models are equipped with DC fast charging capabilities. The Aceman E is compatible with a 75kW maximum charging rate requires 28 minutes for a 10-80 per cent charge while the SE’s maximum charging rate is increased to 95kW to achieve the same level of charge in 31 minutes.

This means that on a standard 11kW AC charge, the Aceman E and SE can reach a full charge in four hours and 15 minutes, and five hours and 30 minutes respectively, says Mini.

Sharing elements from the larger Mini Countryman E and SE, and like all other Minis, the Aceman offers a contemporary interpretation of the original Mini inventor Sir Alec Issigonis’ vision: maximising space with a minimal footprint.

Mini says the result is “a cutting-edge electric drivetrain packaged within a seamless blend of timeless design cues and distinctively Aceman characteristics”.

It is a compact four metres in length and is said to comfortably seat five while containing a technology suite providing the latest driving assistance and “must-have” creature comforts.

Of note are the reinterpreted angular headlights with surrounding daytime LEDs, which offer a different daytime running light pattern depending on grade.

But the newbie still pays homage to classic Mini design elements inside and out including the obligatory 240mm round (OLED) central display mounted centrally in the cleanly styed dash with a remodelled toggle bar and contemporary steering wheel on the periphery.

The 60:40 split fold rear seats can be folded to extend the luggage compartment from 300 litres to 1005 litres as required.

A new feature on Aceman available through the central display is the Mini Experience Mode(s) which offer a bespoke set of sounds, visuals and colours to enhance the experience of all-electric driving.

Selectable mode choices include Core, Green, Go-Kart, Personal, Timeless, Vivid, Balance and Trail.

The model also utilises a ‘Hey Mini’ system or drivers can opt to use the push-to-talk steering wheel button which activates the Mini Intelligent Personal Assistant in the form of animated graphic elements, typography and a Mini vehicle avatar.

Mini says drivers can for example say, “Hey Mini, I’m cold,” and the vehicle will turn up the heating.

The popular avatar, “Spike”, is also available through the optional Mini Connected Package.

The interior features recycled tactile knit upholstery to interior surfaces as Mini is 100 per cent leather-free in the new generation vehicles. However, a combination cloth/Vescin (vegan leather) is available on the SE Variant.

The Aceman is also chrome free and the light alloy wheels on the new Mini generation are manufactured using up to 70 per cent recycled aluminium.

This is in combination with electricity from renewables used in production which is said to reduce CO2 emissions by up to 80 per cent compared with conventional production methods.

The theme of recycling continues through the interior with the surfaces, vehicle floor and floor mats all made from at least 90 per cent recycled polyester. The use of this high-quality and vibrant material in combination with the departure from leather sees production greenhouse emissions reduce by up to 98 per cent.

Driving Impressions

The Aceman really knows how to turn heads. It’s cute and enjoyable to drive. But it’s also very well built and sensibly packaged.

It has the road manners of a much larger car – at least a handful of participants on our road drive north-west of Melbourne commenting on the similarities in personality between the Aceman and Countryman.

That’s a good thing for Mini buyers, the Countryman being a joy to drive.

OK, the cabin might be a little quirky and the central ‘dial’ is a little tricky when you’re uninitiated. But we must say, we got used to it rather quickly, and found Spike a willing assistant for those functions that might be difficult to access on-the-hop.

The use of available space is excellent – far better than in Minis of yore – with cubbies and cup holders where they belong. Passenger space is likewise commodious, though taller passengers will need to squish up close to endure the backseat.

From the ‘wheel, the Aceman is reasonably brisk and sweetly linear, accelerating with more gusto than the figures might suggest. Though our drive was limited to a short country loop, we think the Aceman would be eager to take on the cut and thrust of city traffic, showing a clean set of heels with the pedal to the metal.

In modes without synthesised sound, it is also very quiet. No nasty tyre rumble or wind noise, just a sanctuary from which to enjoy your tunes (or a pleasant conversation). The ride quality is likewise impressive, the Aceman doing well to disguise its weight and cornering with a level of accuracy we didn’t expect from a 1700kg-plus ‘hatch’.

Of course, like every Mini before it, the Aceman delivers that direct, go-kart-like steering response we’ve come to love. As agile as it is, it’s sweetly weighted to communicate the front wheels’ intention, while also being light enough to manoeuvre easily in close confines.

Pleasingly, even the braking action of the Aceman is surprisingly natural – something that cannot be said for every EV on the market. The brake pedal is well metered and with the right level of assistance for chauffer-smooth stops.

If we had to nitpick, it maybe a little harsh when combined with the transmission’s braking (or ‘B’) mode, but again, that’s more a matter of familiarisation than a criticism alone.

Which really speaks to the Aceman as a whole. In respect to its size and position in the market, it really is an ‘ace’ little car. If you’re a city dweller who wants a serious EV with a not-so-serious side, the Aceman might just be the car for you.

And speaking for us, we just can’t wait to spend some more time behind the ‘wheel.