First Drive: Mini Aceman

First Drive: Mini Aceman

Few brands understand their clients to the same extent as Mini. It’s a brand with a particular taste that has moulded over time with its customers. From tiny go-kart-like Coopers decades ago to artistic and not-so-mini Countrymans, it’s a brand that’s happy to go back to the drawing board. Although many manufacturers are rethinking electrification in the late stages of 2024 and early 2025, Mini is sticking to its guns and now has a new name in its EV portfolio.

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Club and Countryman-inspired

It's called the Aceman, and on appearances alone, I would relate its shape closely to the Clubman with a hint of Countryman in the finer details. Its creative aesthetic keeps Mini's new design language with a simplistic, pleasing look that blends soft lines with dynamic shapes and colours to capture youthful interest. There is a strong use of hexagons across the front bumper, which captures the essence of Cooper, and I must say I approve of its minimalistic look.

There is a noticeable use of black plastic cladding around the skirts and fenders, which offers crossover appeal and might initially lead you towards taking it on the tougher gravel roads, but a Mini has always been closely related to the go-kart sensation, and the Aceman retains the sense of agility with a low centre of gravity. But before we dive into the BMW-inspired feelings you get behind the wheel, let's see what makes the Aceman go.

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Mini Aceman E vs SE

Currently, the Aceman is a BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle) in all configurations, with the entry-level Aceman E leading the lineup. The Aceman E generates 135kW and 290Nm and has an estimated range of 300km per charge, though this will likely be slightly less in the real world. Still, it's rather peppy for an entry-level model, with a 0-100km/h time of 7.9 seconds. This shouldn't come as a surprise, as EVs are, for the most part, quick off the line regardless of their shape or size.

The second option is the Aceman SE, the sportier option with a slightly bigger battery and bigger numbers. 160kW and 330Nm to be exact, which brings its 0-100km/h time down to 7.1 seconds. And I must say it has the initial G-force we expect from an EV, but it tends to lose steam on the way to 100km/h. The SE does, however, come with a bigger 54.2kWh battery as opposed to the 42.5kWh battery in the standard E. What this does accommodate is an estimated range of 400km.

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How fast can it charge?

Fortunately, the Aceman does come with DC fast-charging capabilities, which means its 10 to 80% charge can be completed in as low as 29 minutes for the E and 31 minutes for the SE. With the specs out of the way, I must say the Aceman is an exciting little car, especially at low speeds. Of course, instant torque is the main catalyst for this excitement, but even in the corners, its low centre of gravity coupled with its relatively firm ride quality makes for a competent drive, and with instant power on tap, overtaking is a breeze.

There is a sense of strength in the Aceman, as the steering wheel is weighted towards the heavier side, which I have always preferred, and the ride quality, being exceptionally smooth on the open road, does hint at its BMW makeup. But this is a Mini, and as much as the inner workings might be German, the bold and minimalistic design we saw on the outside is only enhanced further within.

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High-tech minimalism

The interior is not unfamiliar and takes most of its inspiration from the current Countryman, with knitted fabrics on the doors that wrap along the dash to the large and impressively detailed screen in the middle. There is a fresh feeling once inside, one that captures a more dynamic personality with a hint of the outdoors. For the most part, the interior is centred around client demands, but a few touches may have moved slightly too far towards a digital mindset. For example, all of your driving information is on the screen, and as customisable as the screen may be, swapping between the information readout and navigation or any other vehicle function can become distracting. For me, I do still enjoy a driver's display, and fortunately, its heads-up display helps, but it's an aspect that won't garner mainstream approval, except perhaps among minimalistically minded buyers.

I must say that the Aceman is an exceptionally comfortable car. From the ride quality and seats to the interior environment, it’s a car that captures the essence of the journey, not the destination. It's something that's also reflected throughout the Mini range, so it's clear that Mini knows its clients. 

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Mini Aceman vs Volvo EX30

As for what it competes against, well, the affordable EV segment is a new space in the local automotive world, and it is hard to pin it up against something particular. Mini would like to relate the Aceman to Volvo's small EV offering being the EX30, and although the Aceman offers similar spec levels and surroundings, the EX30 is a few steps above the Aceman purely from a performance angle.

In terms of pricing, the Aceman starts at R800,000 with the E and goes up to R892,000 with the SE, which I think is fairly reasonable, especially for the E. The SE does add a touch more to the equation, but once you consider the EX30 is an extra R100,000 and some change with considerably bigger outright performance figures, some more speed-obsessed clients would probably favour the Swedish offering.

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Final verdict

The Aceman obviously doesn’t take off like an EX30, but for a dynamic, fun, and usable platform loaded with impressive tech and unique designs, it’s a good product. On the other hand, it would be nice to see an ICE option on the Aceman, as South Africans have yet to fully embrace EVs, but the car does come with a home charger, so that's a bonus. If you want to drive around in artsy style or enjoy a surge of instant torque and go-kart-like handling, the Aceman is a great option so long as range anxiety isn’t too much of a concern.

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Mini Aceman pricing

Aceman E: R800,000

Aceman E S: R892,000

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