The MINI Aceman is for those who want a slightly larger and more practical MINI Cooper C 5-Door. But it is electric only.
Singapore – It is sort-of in between the MINI Cooper C 5-Door and where the Clubman left off. You wouldn’t be too wrong if you were to think of the MINI Aceman as what the Cooper C (what MINI now calls their now extensively refaced hatchback) could be, if practicality were pegged higher-up on the design brief.
But it is actually an SUV?
While MINI’s hatchbacks have retained their traditional “MINI” looks, the Aceman, which is supposed to be more SUV than hatch, follows in the footsteps of the Countryman. Therefore it has similar head and tail light design language, and also “bunged-up” wheel flares.
Over the last year, MINI had been busy with the introduction of their new range of cars. In broad strokes, their ICE range is still based on the proven UKL2 architecture, which underpins the 3-Door and 5-Door models, and also the new Countryman. As for their electrified range of cars, MINI has developed new platforms to make the most of their inherently small packaging. The electric version of the Countryman however, still utilises the UKL2.
Smaller shoes to fill?
Back in 2017, when MINI launched their second generation Countryman, I clearly remembered being told that it would be the largest MINI ever, as MINIs should not be big cars. But the third generation Countryman says otherwise.
However, this is quite the logical move for the British marque as the Countryman has to offer direct competition to the likes of the Mercedes-Benz GLA, Audi Q3 and its sister car, the BMW X1.
While the current Countryman is similar in-size to its German counterpart, the Aceman on the other hand, has about the same footprint as the first-generation Countryman… so, would this then be the Countryman’s electrified spiritual successor then?
What’s the interior like?
A little less car, and a bit more living space. I see the new MINIs being a little off-script, and a little more upmarket. Plenty of what I first saw in the MINI Cooper E’s interior is carried over into the Aceman. It boasts a bold use of fabrics, textures and colours, which meet an equally bold 9.4-inch round OLED infotainment touchscreen.
Unlike the previous iterations of MINIs, where their infotainment systems took a backseat, their new Operating System 9-based infotainment systems feature refreshing animations, your choice of centralised instrument cluster design, and SPIKE, your voice assistant. are just some of the goodies you can expect. The infotainment also now has both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It is as much a treat for the senses, as it does breathe new life into a historic brand. But perhaps, this could be too flashy for some.
Even with a slightly shorter wheelbase than the 5-Door hatchback, you can immediately tell that the Aceman has more interior space than the former. In-fact, it is larger on the inside than the first-generation Countryman.
The boot too is practical. You get 300 litres of flat-loading, adjustable double-floored space, at your disposal; which is around 80 litres less than a similar-size Volkswagen Golf. With the rear seats folded, you have 1,005 litres to work with.
But does it drive like a MINI?
In MINI tradition, the Aceman is FWD, driven by a motor which in SE guise, produces 218hp and 330Nm; which takes it to 100km/h in a respectable 7.1 seconds. However, with your foot on the floor, you won’t feel that full 330Nm up against your chest immediately. Acceleration is initially somewhat muted, almost like the Aceman is priming you for what is to come, before it fully turns-on the taps.
Despite weighing in at almost 1,800kg, the small SUV still seems nimble. Turn-in is quick and accurate. But on poorer surfaces, one can feel the suspension struggling to keep the car planted, which while it is not unsettling, it does seem unMINI-like. In my opinion, the steering feel is also way too artificial.
This SE variant is equipped with the larger 54.2 kWh battery (the entry Aceman E on the other hand makes do with a 42.5 kWh battery), which provides it with an official drive range of 310km; with consumption at 14.9kWh/100km. I managed around 16kWh/100km, which would translate to me charging the Aceman SE approximately every three-to-four days.
The small SUV supports DC charging of up to 95kW, which would take the battery from 10 to 80 percent in about 30 minutes.
So is it a small SUV/Crossover or a right-sized hatchback?
Have it your way. It actually does not matter. You can call the Aceman whatever you wish… it is after all what you want it to be.
But flashy branding aside, the Aceman is up against quite a serious bit of competition, from both electric and ICE offerings. For instance, for significantly less coin, you could snag yourself something like a premium Zeekr X Flagship (which is quicker, and makes animal noises), and since we have not yet left the turbo age, you could still sink your teeth into many other ICE offerings.
But if you are going down the MINI rabbit hole, you may view the Aceman as a confusing addition to the MINI range. However, it does attempt to stay close to MINI’s core by being a small, fun-to-drive car. At the same time, the Aceman also frees the Countryman to truly challenge the premium C-segment class of SUVs.
Text & Photos: Clifford Chow
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| More practical than the regular hatchback | Steering lacks realistic feel |
| Bold infotainment system rocks | Infotainment can get confusing |
| Gets a little messy when the going gets tough |
MINI Aceman Electric SE
| Drivetrain | Full Electric |
| Layout | Single Motor, Front-wheel Drive |
| Motor power / torque | 218hp / 330Nm |
| Battery capacity | 54.2kWh |
| Efficiency | 14.9kWh/100km |
| Electric Range | 407km |
| 0-100km/h | 7.1 seconds |
| Top Speed | 170km/h |
| VES Band | A1 |
| Dealer | Eurokars Habitat |
| Price | S$248,888 with COE and VES |
| Verdict | Not so much a smaller electrified Countryman, but a more practical hatchback. The MINI Aceman may be far from perfect, but it comes from a good place. |
