New MINI Aceman: details, specs, reveal date and leaked images of MINI’s small EV SUV
The all-new MINI Aceman will make its world debut on 24 April as brand prepares to enter the small electric SUV market’s battle royale
The reveal of the new all-electric MINI Aceman is almost upon us. The covers will be torn off the compact crossover and Volvo EX30 rival on 24 April at Auto China, otherwise known as the Beijing Motor Show, and it should go on sale the very same day.
The MINI Aceman has been designed to plug the gap between the MINI Cooper hatch and MINI Countryman family SUV, which will also be present at the Beijing Motor Show to show-off the British brand’s newly complete family of EVs.
At just over four metres long the Aceman will compete against a varied range of potential rivals, not just the EX30. Other potential foes include the Renault Megane E-Tech, Jeep Avenger and Smart #1. The forthcoming Ford Puma Gen-E and Kia EV3 are likely challengers too, as are electrified C-segment hatchbacks such as the Peugeot E-308 or Astra Electric.
Details about the Aceman have been slowly drip fed to us over the last few years, including its use of the same EV-specific platform as the electric MINI Cooper. We also know it’ll feature a 54.2kWh battery pack that will probably provide a range of around 250 miles. However, images have surfaced online revealing the car in full, spoiling some of the surprise of its unveiling next week.
What will the MINI Aceman look like?
The patent images we sourced from China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) show the MINI Aceman falls into line with the brand’s latest design language, and takes its lead from the latest MINI Countryman.
Being a pure-electric model, the MINI Aceman features a blanked-off octagonal grille, plus the usual MINI floating roof effect created by blanking off the pillars. The wheelarches on the Aceman appear to be more angular and pronounced than those on the Countryman however, while the plastic bumpers and side cladding help it look tougher and more 4x4-like.
Both front and rear screens are more steeply angled than on MINI’s other models, reiterating the fact this will be more of a lifestyle crossover SUV. In regards to the front screen, this should also help with aero, improving high-speed efficiency.
How big and practical is it?
MINI has confirmed dimensions for the new Aceman, reaching 4,075mm in length, 1,754mm wide (without mirrors) and 1,495mm in height. That means it’s almost exactly the length and width as the Jeep Avenger, but not as tall. The Volvo EX30 is roughly 150mm longer and nearly 100mm wider than the MINI.
When we were given a chance to sit in a prototype ourselves, we found that with the wheels pushed out to the far corners of the bodywork the Aceman offers enough space in the back for a six-foot-tall passenger to sit behind a similar-sized driver. The boot is rather small, though, with a high sill to lift stuff over.
What’s the interior design like?
The Aceman’s cabin should be almost identical to that of its three-door hatch sibling. The focal point is an ultra-slim 9.4-inch OLED circular display responsible for both the infotainment and vital driver information like your speed and state of charge – just like the setup in the aforementioned EX30.
They’ll also be a selection of ‘MINI Experience Modes’ on offer that change the look of the screen and interior lighting, and provide their own unique soundtrack. In the MINI Cooper, drivers have a choice of Core, Green, Go-Kart, Personal, Vibrant, Timeless and Balance modes.
Speaking to Auto Express, head of MINI Stephanie Wurst revealed the new Aceman crossover will be a “gamified concept” and that “the go-kart feeling will always be of the utmost importance.” He also confirmed that hot John Cooper Works versions of every new MINI are on the cards, so a sporty Aceman with extra power could serve as a range-topping model.
When will it go on sale?
As is often the case with new MINI products, the Aceman should go on sale the same day it’s revealed. We’ve had no word on UK pricing yet, but considering its rivals from Volvo, Jeep and Renault all start from under £35,000, the MINI Aceman could be pitched at a similar price point.
The first examples should arrive later this year. Initially, the Aceman will be built alongside the three-door MINI Cooper Electric in China, however following £600m of investment in MINI’s Oxford plant, both cars will be built in the UK from 2026.
Now read our list of the best small electric cars on sale right now...
