The Aceman has launched in South Africa. We headed to Johannesburg to sample Mini’s all-electric newcomer. First impressions here…
Image: Mini
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*Claimed figures
We are driving the Aceman, the latest and final member in Mini’s modern model portfolio.
Developed by Spotlight Automotive, a joint venture between Mini and Great Wall Motor (GWM), the Aceman is produced in China alongside the Cooper Electric. However, following an investment of £600 million into the British marque’s Oxford-based assembly plant, where the petrol-powered Cooper and Countryman are built, UK production of the Cooper Electric and Aceman is scheduled to start in 2026.
Positioned between the most compact Cooper and Countryman, the Aceman essentially fills the space left by the Clubman. Indeed, a new Clubman won’t form part of Mini’s modern range. A five-door Cooper hatch remains available, though.
The Aceman measures 4 079 mm in length, making it 221 mm longer than its emissions-free three-door sibling and 365 mm shorter than the Countryman, which we tested in C guise in the September 2024 issue of CAR magazine.
Related: Road Test: Mini Countryman C
However, width-wise, the Aceman’s bodywork is narrower than the Cooper’s (1 754 vs 1756 mm) and Countryman’s (1 843 mm). The Aceman is taller than the Cooper (1 514 vs 1 460 mm), however, and its 2 606 mm wheelbase 80 mm longer than the all-electric Mini hatch with which it shares a platform and 86 mm shorter than its larger, Countryman stablemate.
Styling-wise, the Aceman is arguably the most quirky product in Mini’s line-up. The press car’s vibrant, orange-ish ‘Rebel Red’ body hue especially accentuated the battery-electric crossover’s sculpted, yet minimalistic, design lines. Enhancing its SUV-like styling, the Aceman features all-around black plastic cladding, fore and aft skid plates and roof rails. Specified in Favoured level of specification, the test unit was equipped with 19-inch, Aceman-specific alloy wheels.
While the Aceman’s interior remains familiar modern Mini, the design of a few elements, such as the door handles, are bespoke to the Aceman. The cabin is a masterclass in design. The interior is finished in a variety of materials, including pleasingly tactile woven fabric, replete with contrast accents, for the backlit facia. Bar the use of a few so-so plastic trim bits, the cabin is otherwise solidly constructed.
Mini’s central OLED display, which doubles as instrumentation and infotainment, remains a highlight of the package. The touch-enabled item is crisp, responsive and a cinch to navigate, and feature-rich. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included as standard. The fitment of tactile switchgear remains welcomed. Our press car further featured a Harman Kardon sound system and a panoramic glass roof with surrounding interior ambient lighting.
In terms of space, the Aceman’s (manually adjustable) driver’s pew and rear seating offered sufficient headroom for my 1.7 metre-tall frame. Aft kneeroom isn’t that generous, however. Mini claims the Aceman offers a boot capacity of 300 litres, the latter of which expands to 1005 litres when the 60:40-split rear backrest is folded down.
The Aceman is available in two flavours: E and the model driven here, the SE. The opening gambit to the local Aceman line-up, the (R800 000) E’s single electric-motor arrangement produces 135 kW and 290 N.m of torque, allowing for a 0-100 km/h sprint time of 7.9 seconds.
Equipped with a 42.5 kWh battery pack, which allows for DC fast charging of up to 75 kW, the E offers a claimed operating range of 305 km. Plugged into a DC charging station, Mini says it takes 29 minutes for the E’s 42.5 kWh item to charge from 10 to 80%, while an AC charge — from 0 to 100% — takes four hours and 25 minutes.
The SE’s 160 kW/330 N.m permanent magnet synchronous motor is coupled with a 54.2 kWh battery pack, which allows for a driving range of 400 km on a single full charge. The SE’s larger-capacity item allows for DC charging of up to 95 kW. Thanks to the latter, it takes only two minutes longer to charge the SE’s lithium-ion item — from 10 to 80% — at a DC charging station. A 0 to 100% AC charge takes five hours and 50 minutes. The SE completes the 0-100 km/h dash in a claimed 7.1 seconds.
Related: Road Test Figures: Volvo EX30 Ultra Twin Motor Performance
Image: Mini
Though the GWM Ora and BYD Atto3 can be considered rivals to the Aceman, in the local EV arena, the Mini’s main rival comes in the shape of the Volvo EX30, which we tested in (315 kW/543 N.m) Twin Motor Performance guise in the June 2024 issue of CAR magazine. However, it’s not this (R1 114 000) EX30 variant the Aceman is positioned against.
Considering pricing, performance and all-electric range, the Aceman is positioned against the (R835 500) EX30 Core Single Motor. The entry point to Volvo’s EX30 line-up, the EX30 Single Motor derivative (a Single Motor Extended Range version with a claimed operating range of 476 km is available from R968 400) is endowed with 200 kW/343 N.m for a claimed 0-100 km/h sprint time of 5.7 seconds. The entry-level EX30’s claimed operating range is 344 km.
Image: Mini
Mini maintains its smallest battery-electric crossover retains the “go-kart” driving dynamics the company’s products, especially the Cooper hatch, have become known for. The Aceman isn’t quite as engaging to drive as the traditionally-powered three-door Cooper, though; yet, that’s to be expected from a crossover that’s considerably weightier.
In its own, all-electric crossover way, the Aceman is fun to drive. The steering is pleasingly sharp, yet not too meaty, and, though not the most powerful or quickest emissions-free crossover available, the powertrain provides plenty of punch on the motorway.
Eight driving (or ‘Experience’ in Mini speak) modes, activated via a toggle switch on the centre console, are available. This includes ‘Go Kart’, ‘Core’, ‘Green’, ‘Personal’, ‘Vivid’, ‘Timeless’, ‘Balance’ and ‘Trail’, each of which accompanied by a distinct graphic layout on the OLED screen and our test car’s pop-up head-up display. In addition, selecting ‘Go Kart’ enhances throttle response, while ‘Green’, the most energy efficient setting, will help save range.
Designed to offer a comfortable driving experience and improve stability, the Aceman’s all-around independent suspension setup soaked up most road scars with aplomb. Adding to the comfortable drive was the Aceman’s admirable NVH suppression — only a hint of wind noise permeated the cabin.
With its quirky exterior styling, beautifully crafted interior that features an array of novel design elements and, though not as engaging as the Cooper, fun-to-drive characteristics, the Aceman remains quintessentially Mini. It’s not as powerful or quick as its main rival, though; yet, the Mini’s character is arguably unmatched. The Aceman is a package that, as a whole, will make you smile. And that’s what a Mini should do.
Looking for your next new or used vehicle? Find it here with CARmag!
The post Review: Mini Aceman SE appeared first on CAR Magazine.
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