First drive
Positive Fun to drive, comfortable and composed ride, increased
interior practicality, infotainment, stylish and quality interior
Negative Mini Aceman
2024 has been a manic year for Mini, with the all-new Countryman and Cooper Electric, plus heavily made- over ICE-powered Cooper models being launched in the UK within months of each other.
The Aceman is a smaller crossover in the style of the Countryman, sharing a stretched version of BMW’s all-new electric car underpinnings with the Cooper. And like that Mini, the Aceman is also currently built in China – although it is due to transfer to Plant Oxford in the UK by 2026. This Mini has its own sense of style – with a more angular look. Compared to the Countryman, the Aceman has pointy headlights and an upright front design. The octagonal family grille, curvy roofline, and distinctive rear LED lights mean it couldn’t be anything other than a Mini, and the Aceman fits in well with the rest of the range.
Inside, the look and feel are as the Countryman and Cooper. So, think woollen trim on the dashboard and doors. Although, the curvier trim
on the doors highlights the cheaper, scratchier plastics that now feature across the rest of the range – but perhaps are better hidden in other models. Other design oddities are the unusual open door pulls.
The space and driving position is good in the front and will feel familiar to anyone who has driven the Cooper. The switchgear and the Classic Mini-influenced toggle bar are as on other Mini models. You
Standard equipment: LED head and rear taillights, gloss black roof rails, 17in alloy wheels, MINI OLED display, DAB radio, MINI Driving Modes, two- zone automatic climate control, dynamic cruise control, parking assistant and rear camera, Apple Carplay and Android Auto integration.
Engine: Electric: 184hp, 218hp
Equipment grades: E, SE
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
48 | November/December 2024 |
www.businesscar.co.uk
Some cheap-feeling interior plastics, compromised head and legroom, high boot loading lip, head-up display not standard, not a cheap choice
All-new third member of the Mini range offers the same keen drive as the Cooper in a more practical package. Martyn Collins
can’t miss the circular OLED display, again running Android-based MINI Operating System 9, with all the functions of the car operated by touch or voice control. It is easy to operate and impressively fast in its operation Despite the promising design, space in the back of the Aceman is best described as ‘average’. Children will be fine, but leg and especially headroom with the sunroof fitted, are compromised for taller rear passengers – meaning they will only be comfortable for short trips.
Mini Aceman 160kW SE Sport
P11D £42,945 On Sale Now Residual value: 46% Depreciation: £22,845 Fuel: TBC Service, maintenance and repair: £1,832 Cost per mile: TBC Range: 252 miles CO2 (BiK%): 0g/km (2%) BIK 20/40% a month: £14/£28 Luggage capacity: 303 litres Battery size/power: 54.2kWh/218hp
The Aceman’s practically shaped 300-litre boot has a high lip, which we think will hinder its practicality. The Aceman range starts with the E, which is powered by a 40.7 kWh battery, and a 184hp electric motor. This is capable of a 0-62mph acceleration time of 7.9 seconds, and a range of 192 miles. Choose the sportiest Cooper SE, and you get a bigger 218hp motor, 54.2kWh battery, 0-62 acceleration in 7.1 seconds, and an improved 252-mile range. Both will have a tax liability of 2%. On the road, the performance of the SE version that we drove feels largely the same as the smaller Cooper SE hatch. So, think very willing from the off. When the roads open out, the Aceman lives up to the Mini badges, as it is good to drive, with precise steering and engaging handling Where the Aceman differs, is the more composed ride In our opinion, the Aceman is a more attractive choice than the Peugeot E-2008, but not as spacious as the Smart #1. Or, if you like the Cooper, but need more space and practicality, the Aceman could be the Mini for you.
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