Overview
MINI is another example of a famed British automotive brand that has changed its ownership to a non-British automotive company. BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke AG), the German premium automotive manufacturer has owned MINI since 1996. However, MINI cars are still assembled in the UK, among other locations like, Austria and the Netherlands. The MINI British automotive brand was founded in Oxford, UK.
The original best-selling two-door MINI was launched in 1959 and subsequently became an icon. The genesis of the original MINI was a consequence of the requirement to create an affordable small fuel-efficient vehicle capable of carrying four adults. Sir Leonard Lord of the Morris Company tasked his top engineer, Sir Alec Issigonis with this responsibility. The car was manufactured at the Longbridge and Cowley plants in England (in due course, other international locations were added). The production of the classic internal combustion engine (ICE) MINI stopped in 2000. In total more than 5 million units of this iconic car were manufactured.
In September 2023, BMW announced its plans to invest significant new capital to prepare the MINI factory for the production of a new generation of electric cars. The company currently has the following battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs):
- All-electric MINI Cooper
- All-electric MINI Aceman
- All-electric MINI Countryman
- MINI Countryman Plug-In Hybrid
Electric Cars: The Basics
For those of you new to zero-emission electric driving, we recommend a read of the following articles:
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The all-electric MINI Aceman SUV
The global automotive sector is certainly heading in the right direction, in particular, in relation to size of the vehicle and its environmental impact. In recent years, car manufactures have launched a number of compact electric vehicles (EVs), targeting the urban consumer. We believe this is an excellent approach, as smaller the vehicle size, the lower is its life-cycle emissions environmental footprint. Moreover, a battery-electric vehicle (BEV) has a far lower life-cycle emissions footprint compared to a conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) petrol or diesel car.
For families living in urban centres (cities and towns), owning a smaller family car has so many benefits. For too long our roads have been congested by large polluting SUVs, usually driven with only a single occupant in the vehicle. The zero-tailpipe emission compact all-electric MINI Aceman (B-segment) is the kind of family electric car, that is well suited for most day-to-day family driving needs for cities and towns. Other compact electric SUVs worth considering are the all-electric Citroën ë-C3 and the all-electric Hyundai Inster, both also compact SUVs.
In terms of size, the MINI Aceman EV is positioned between the MINI Cooper and the MINI Countryman. The Aceman is 4.07m long and 1.51m tall (1.75m wide). In comparison, the Hyundai Inster EV is 3.82m long and 1.57m tall, and the Citroën ë-C3 is 4.01m long and 1.57m tall. There is also the all-electric Smart #3 SUV which is 4.40m long and 1.55m tall. These BEVs offer adequate boot size, with the Aceman offering up to 300 L (up to 1,005 L with the rear seats folded down). The Aceman does not have a frunk. The Inster offers up to 238 L and the ë-C3 offers up to 310 L. A practical tip: it is best to remove from the boot items that are not needed. The lower the weight of the vehicle, the higher its efficiency. And of course, an uncluttered car is a nicer car!
The Aceman electric has been developed by Spotlight Automotive, which is a joint venture between BMW and Great Wall Motor (GWM), a Chinese automotive manufacturer headquartered in Hebei, China. You may have come across the all-electric GWM Ora Funky Cat hatchback, another compact pure electric city car. The MINI Aceman concept was revealed in 2022, with the production version introduced in 2024. The EV has taken inspiration from the classic MINI: maximum utilisation of space with a minimum footprint combined with a modern drive concept. The Aceman is the first MINI crossover model for the premium small car segment and is only available as a battery-electric vehicle (BEV).
The Aceman EV is available in two EV battery sizes: the entry-level 42.5 kWh, and the 54.2 kWh longer range variant. According to MINI, the 42.5 kWh has a 192 miles (WLTP) range, while the 54.2 kWh has a 216 – 251 miles (WLTP) e-range. Adjusting for real-world driving conditions, you can expect the 42.5 kWh to achieve up to 165 miles on a single charge, and for the 54.2 kWh expect up to 215 miles. In any case, both options offer more than adequate electric range for most day-to-day driving needs in a city, and also for motorway driving. The manufacturer claims an electricity consumption between 14.8-14.0 kWh/100km. The variants offer between 70-95 kW DC rapid charging as standard: 10%-80%: 29-31 minutes.
The five-door Aceman electric car incorporates as standard a three-phase (11 kW AC) onboard AC charger. For homes and business with access to three-phase power supply, the 42.5 kWh can be charged from 0%-100% in 4 hours 15 minutes, and for the 54.2 kWh it will take up to 5 hours 30 minutes for a full charge. Single-phase EV charging (7.4 kW) will take longer. For the 42.5 kWh it will take 6.75 hours and the 54.2 kWh will take up to 9 hours. We at e-zoomed encourage EV owners to install on-site (home or business) solar PV and battery storage. It is a fantastic way to leverage the potential for lower cost of ownership of an electric car, and also achieve ‘well-to-wheel’ zero-tailpipe emissions. We at e-zoomedoffer a number of fantastic solar PV and battery storage bundle offers!
All variants are front-wheel drive (FWD), with a single-motor powertrain i.e. the electric motor drives the front wheels. The entry-level Aceman (42.5 kWh) can achieve 0-62 mph in 7.9 seconds (maximum power: 184 HP/ torque: 290 Nm), while the longer range Aceman (54.2 kWh) can achieve 0-62 mph in 6.4 seconds (maximum power: 258 HP/ torque: 350 Nm). Depending on the variant, the top speed of the electric car is 99-124 mph. The EV incorporates ‘MINI Driving Sounds’, to enhance the experience of driving electric. For the driver there is good all-round visibility, to include the rear-view.
The five-seat Aceman electric car in practicality can only fit only four adults. This is a criticism not unique to the Aceman. Most of the latest-generation compact SUVs have a similar issue. Like other OEMs the Aceman leather-free interior cabin uses renewable and recycled materials. According to the manufacturer, the 2D flat knit used for the dashboards, door panels and lids is made from over 90% recycled polyester fibres. The interior has a premium feel and is minimalistic, with loads of options to customise. The focus on sustainability is also evident for the exterior. The wheels are made up of 30% secondary aluminium. The exterior styling heralds a new MINI design language, with a focus on improving the aerodynamic efficiency of the Aceman EV. We like it!
The MINI Aceman offers the following safety and driving aids as standard: lane keep assist with blind spot detection, rear collision prevention and vehicle exit warning, forward collision warning, speed limit Info, speed limit assist, dynamic cruise control, parking assistant, active park distance Control, rear-view camera, 12 ultrasonic sensors and reversing assist. The Aceman has yet to be awarded a Euro NCAP safety rating. The EV also incorporates an all-new circular 240mm diameter OLED display used as an instrument cluster, place to access onboard infotainment and driving assistant features. The MINI Operating System 9 enables all driving functions to be operated via touch or voice.
Prices for the MINI Aceman start from £31,800. Though affordable, the Inster and ë-C3 is cheaper. Company-car drivers can take advantage of the lower Benefit-in-Kind (BiK-2%) tax rate for pure electric cars. The MINI electric can be leased via e-zoomed at fantastic prices. Bottom-line, electric driving is good for the environment and the wallet.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Available in two EV battery sizes/ 11 kW AC onboard charger as standard | Range not as good as some competitors/ DC charging limited to 95 kW DC |
| Good level of onboard equipment and technology | Cheaper alternatives available |
| Attractive exterior and interior styling | Tight squeeze for rear seats |
Gallery
The All-Electric MINI Aceman SUV (credit: MINI)
| At A Glance | |
|---|---|
| EV Type: | Battery-Electric Vehicle (BEV) |
| Body Type: | SUV |
| Plug-In Car Grant (PiCG): | Not Available |
| Engine: | Electric |
| Available In UK: | Yes |
| £ Variants (3 Options) |
|---|
| MINI Aceman E Exclusive (from £31,800) |
| MINI Aceman SE Exclusive (from £36,300) |
| MINI John Cooper Works Aceman (from £40,800) |
| EV Battery & Emissions | |
|---|---|
| EV Battery Type: | Lithium-ion |
| EV Battery Capacity: | Available in two battery sizes: 42.5 kWh/ 54.2 kWh |
| Charging: | 70-95 kW DC Rapid Charging (10%-80%: 29-31 mins). Onboard AC charger 11 kW AC (0%-100%: 4 hrs 15 mins/ 5 hrs 30 mins) |
| Charge Port: | Type 2 |
| EV Cable Type: | Type 2 |
| Tailpipe Emissions: | 0g (CO2/km) |
| EV Battery Warranty: | 8 years or 100,000 miles |
| £ Average Cost Of Residential Charging | |
|---|---|
| Battery net capacity : 16.7 kWh | £2.40 |
| Battery net capacity : 30.0 kWh | £4.32 |
| Battery net capacity : 39.2 kWh | £5.64 |
| Battery net capacity : 45.0 kWh | £6.48 |
| Battery net capacity : 50.0 kWh | £7.20 |
| Battery net capacity : 64.0 kWh | £9.22 |
| Battery net capacity : 71.0 kWh | £10.22 |
| Battery net capacity : 77.0 kWh | £11.09 |
| Battery net capacity : 90.0 kWh | £12.96 |
| Battery net capacity : 100.0 kWh | £14.40 |
- Note 1: The average cost of residential electricity in the UK varies depending on the region, supplier and type of energy used. An average for the UK is 14.40 p/kWh.
- Note 2: Not all EV manufactures make available the data on net EV battery capacity, and in a number of instances the EV battery capacity advertised, does not state if it is gross or net capacity. In general, usable EV battery capacity is between 85% to 95% of the gross available capacity.
| Charging Times (Overview) | |
|---|---|
| Slow charging AC (3 kW – 3.6 kW): | 6 – 12 hours (dependent on size of EV battery & SOC) |
| Fast charging AC (7 kW – 22 kW): | 3 – 8 hours (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC) |
| Rapid charging AC (43 kW): | 0-80%: 20 mins to 60 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC) |
| Rapid charging DC (50 kW+): | 0-80%: 20 mins to 60 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC) |
| Ultra rapid charging DC (150 kW+): | 0-80% : 20 mins to 40 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC) |
| Tesla Supercharger (120 kW – 250 kW): | 0-80%: up to 25 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC) |
- Note 1: SoC: state of charge
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Height (mm): | 1514 |
| Width (mm): | 1754 |
| Length (mm): | 4079 |
| Wheelbase (mm): | 2606 |
| Turning Circle (m): | 11.1 |
| Boot Space (L): | 300 (up to 1,005 L with the rear seats folded down) |
| Frunk (L): | N/A |
| MINI Aceman 42.5 kWh | |
|---|---|
| EV Battery Capacity: | 42.5 kWh (38.5 kWh-net) |
| Pure Electric Range (WLTP): | 186 – 192 miles |
| Electric Energy Consumption (mi/kWh): | 4.3 – 4.4 |
| Charging: | 70 kW DC Rapid Charging (10%-80%: 29 mins). Onboard AC charger 11 kW AC (0%-100%: 4 hrs 15 mins) |
| Top Speed: | 99 mph |
| 0-62 mph: | 7.9 seconds |
| Drive: | Front-wheel drive (FWD) |
| Electric Motor (kW): | 135 |
| Max Power (HP): | 184 |
| Torque (Nm): | 290 |
| Transmission: | Automatic |
| Seats: | 5 |
| Doors: | 5 |
| Kerb Weight (kg): | 1,720 |
| Towing Capacity (Braked/Unbraked)/ (kg): | 750 / 75 |
| Colours: | 6 |
| Euro NCAP Safety Rating: | N/A |
| MINI Aceman 54.2 kWh | |
|---|---|
| EV Battery Capacity: | 54.2 kWh (49.2 kWh-net) |
| Pure Electric Range (WLTP): | 216 – 251 miles |
| Electric Energy Consumption (mi/kWh): | 3.8 – 4.4 |
| Charging: | 95 kW DC Rapid Charging (10%-80%: 31 mins). Onboard AC charger 11 kW AC (0%-100%: 5 hrs 30 mins) |
| Top Speed: | 106 – 124 mph |
| 0-62 mph: | 6.4 – 7.1 seconds |
| Drive: | Front-wheel drive (FWD) |
| Electric Motor (kW): | 160 – 190 |
| Max Power (HP): | 218 – 258 |
| Torque (Nm): | 330 – 350 |
| Transmission: | Automatic |
| Seats: | 5 |
| Doors: | 5 |
| Kerb Weight (kg): | 1,785 – 1,820 |
| Towing Capacity (Braked/Unbraked)/ (kg): | 750 / 75 |
| Colours: | 6 |
| Euro NCAP Safety Rating: | N/A |
While e-zoomed uses reasonable efforts to provide accurate and up-to-date information, some of the information provided is gathered from third parties and has not been independently verified by e-zoomed. While the information from the third party sources is believed to be reliable, no warranty, express or implied, is made by e-zoomed regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of any information. This disclaimer applies to both isolated and aggregate uses of this information.
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