MINI Aceman: the middle child in the MINI family

On first sight MINI Aceman attracts with its iconic shape and new, fresh elements. Long 4.07 meters, wide 1.75 meters and tall 1.50 meters, the Aceman sits elegantly between the MINI Cooper and Countryman models, with a distinctive identity of its own. With a robust yet sporty design, it offers a new approach to design that combines historical heritage with modern elements such as the octagonal grille and matte black door sills that add a sense of robustness.

A capacity battery is hidden under the cover 54.2 kWh for the SE model, which allows a range of up to 406 kilometers according to the WLTP cycle. In reality, it has a range of about 280 kilometers in mixed cycle and about 200 km on the highway. The electric motor with a power of 160 kW (218 hp) and a torque of 330 Nm ensures that the Aceman will 0 to 100 km/h accelerated into just 7.1 seconds, and the final velocity is 170 km/h. Plug-in charging allows a speed of up to 95 kW, which means that a battery from 10 to 80% can be charged in less than 30 minutes. This charging speed is unacceptable in 2024 as most of the competition charges 1/3 faster. With that, this car remains only a "city" car.

Interior MINI Aceman reflects minimalism and functionality with 9.5-inch OLED screen and MINI OS 9, an operating system that supports voice commands. Ambient lighting and a panoramic roof further contribute to a pleasant interior climate, while the modular rear seat bench allows the luggage space to be adjusted from 300 to 1,005 liters.

For Aceman it is also characterized by an advanced system of assistance technologies, which includes driving and parking assistance and a digital key that enables easy access to the vehicle via a smartphone.

The MINI Aceman enters the market with a lot of promise, but with a hint of doubt that arises from the depths of the automotive industry, where tradition meets innovation. The design and placement in the model range certainly impresses, but when the paper turns to reality, the data reveals a story that could be more compelling.

Despite its sporty image and advanced technology, the MINI Aceman delivers acceleration that has not progressed in line with the electric revolution. Top speed and charging speed remain at the level we've come to expect from previous generations of vehicles, but not from a model that's supposed to be the flag bearer of the future. With a maximum charging speed of 95 kW, Aceman does not reach the technical milestones set by rivals such as Tesla, where we can see charging speeds of up to 250 kW.

The question is whether the MINI Aceman is really worth its price, considering that for similar money it is possible to get vehicles that offer more in terms of performance, technology and autonomy. With a price that should be under 40,000 euros, the MINI could attract a wider range of buyers looking for an affordable yet powerful electric vehicle.

So the conclusion is not as bright as it could be. The MINI Aceman brings some innovation and freshness to the design, but when the details are compared to the competition, especially in the fast-moving world of electric vehicles, MINI still seems to be finding its place to really shine. The BMW Group needs to show more ambition with the MINI Aceman and future models to truly meet the needs and expectations of modern drivers. But until then, the Aceman remains a car with mixed feelings, standing on the edge of expectations and reality.