MINI Aceman E | Test Drive

Words Marco Rallo / Photos Daniél Rikkard

The Aceman is here. Another MINI joins the Anglo-German brand’s family, this time replacing the controversial Clubman — a model I’ve personally appreciated so much. It’s a shame they didn’t listen to me, because when it comes to design, the Aceman doesn’t really bring any substantial innovations. Positioned halfway between the more traditional 3- or 5-door models and the now extra-large Countryman, we’re looking at a brand-new project developed in collaboration with Great Wall. That’s right: the Aceman is produced in China on a fully electric platform, which rules out the possibility of a hybrid variant.

Front-wheel drive only and crossover dimensions, with (at least at the time of our test) three different battery-pack options: the E with 38 kWh, while the SE and eJCW feature a 49 kWh pack — the latter offering more power at the expense of a few kilometres of range in favour of stronger performance. The model in our garage is the entry-level E, the ideal version for getting a taste of the Aceman vision and truly understanding the practicality of something that remains deeply tied to the MINI tradition.

At 4 meters long and 151 cm tall, this is a car ready to tackle urban challenges with ease, yet without sacrificing good interior space for both front occupants and luggages. Three people can sit in the back, though only two adults will be comfortable, perhaps for a short trip out of town. The E is powered by an electric motor positioned at the front, which excludes a potential frunk and delivers 184 hp and 240 Nm of torque to the front wheels. Thanks to the now-familiar Experiences, the Aceman’s behaviour can be made more or less sporty and it holds its own nicely even on twisty roads due to a suspension setup that remains quite firm even in Green mode.

As introduced on the brand’s latest models, the interior is minimalist and does away with many physical controls in favour of the large 9.44-inch circular OLED display, a state-of-the-art tech feature which may, however, seem a bit complex to users less accustomed to these solutions. Fortunately, we still get shortcuts such as those for the ADAS — to disable at every start — parking cameras and the small lever that serves as gear selector. In a fully electric car, that of course means Drive, Reverse, Neutral and Parking. Pressing further engages Brake Mode, useful for regenerating some extra charge and enabling an almost perfectly “one-pedal” driving mode.

The Aceman is a well-made car in every respect. You won’t perceive its Chinese origins in any way, though some of the cabin materials could be better. Some very hard plastics and the rough fabric covering part of the door panel are examples, the latter especially unpleasant during hot summer days, treating your resting elbow like an unwelcome sheet of sandpaper. With its crossover looks and some of the best handling in the segment, this is the advantage MINI gives the Aceman, even though the E version is more suited for urban use. The claimed average WLTP range of 305 km is entirely honest; in fact, by driving carefully you can easily squeeze out a few dozen kilometres more. Overusing climate control or pushing its 184 hp for performance, however, can cause these values to drop quickly.

This is why the Aceman has a top speed limited to 160 kph, because what really matters is how precise and pleasant it is to drive for the kind of car it represents: a compact model perfectly sized for a typical family, with a range that, as long as you’re not planning to cross the entire country, is unlikely to cause trouble. The starting price for the E sits at around €32,000, while the 218-hp SE starts at about €35,000 and adds at least a hundred kilometres of range. At the top of the range is the eJCW, which uses the same battery pack as the SE but delivers 258 hp. In this case, you’ll need to spend €44,500. That’s why, given that we’re dealing with a crossover, we believe the E is undoubtedly the best choice.