All-new 2024 MINI Aceman electric SUV revealed

The all-new MINI Aceman has been unwrapped on the eve of today’s Beijing motor show ahead of its Australian and European release in the fourth quarter of this year.

Designed to slot into the MINI line-up above the current three-door MINI Cooper hatch but below the upsized new MINI Countryman five-door SUV, the new Aceman is designed to be a substitute for those who used to buy the old five-door MINI hatch or Clubman wagon.

The BMW-owned British small-car maker hopes the all-new battery-electric compact SUV will steal sales from small electric SUVs like the upcoming Volvo EX30 and Jeep Avenger.

Created under the British brand’s ‘charismatic simplicity’ design language, MINI’s smaller new SUV sports rhombus-shaped headlights, an octagon grille, floating roof and a blocky overall shape that’s shared with the bigger Countryman.

Differentiating it from its bigger brother, the Aceman gets more pronounced black plastic wheel-arches, large black protective plastic that runs along the bottom of the doors, and unique front and rear ‘bash plates’.

Inside, like the latest Cooper hatch, the Acemen comes with a cabin that is dominated by a huge 9.4-inch OLED touch-screen incorporating multimedia, navigation and speedo, as well as the functions for the climate control.

Below it are a row of toggle switch shortcuts including a switch to select one of the eight different driving modes.

As well as altering powertrain performance, the Core, Green, Go-Kart, Timeless and Trail modes also change the graphics on the infotainment screen, the powertrain’s soundtrack and the patterns that are projected on the dashboard.

Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are both included, alongside MINI’s latest virtual assistant represented by an avatar called ‘Spike’.

Instead of leather, MINI says it will offer buyers the choice of Vescin – a vegan-friendly hide alternative – plus other materials like recycled fabric and polyester.

Measuring in at 4.07m long, 1.75m wide and 1.5m tall, the Aceman shares a similar footprint to small cars like the Mazda 2 (4.07m long, 1.70m wide, 1.47m tall, 280 litres), but offers more luggage space (300 litres).

But there’s said to be space for five inside, with MINI promising generous levels of head and shoulder room.

Unlike rivals like the Jeep Avenger, the MINI Aceman will be EV-only, with no combustion power planned.

Initially, buyers will have the choice of either the Aceman E, which gets a single motor that generates 135kW/290Nm (enough for a 0-100km/h dash in 7.9sec), or the Aceman SE that offers 160kW/310Nm.

The more powerful Aceman SE can launch to 100km/h in a claimed 7.1sec and top out at 170km/h, making it 10km/h faster than the Aceman E.

The more powerful variant also gets a larger 54.2kWh battery that can cover up to 406km on a single charge, while the Aceman E gets a 42.5kWh powerpack and a smaller 310km range.

Charging at up to 75kW is possible with the smaller battery, while the bigger power pack can be charged at up to 90kW, but MINI claims a sub-30min 10-80 per cent charge time for both variants.

In Europe, the Aceman will be offered in three trims, opening with a Classic version fitted with LED headlights, 17-inch alloy wheels, roof rails, vegan leather-wrapped seats, a quaint knitted dash, large OLED screen, heated steering wheel, rear-view camera, cruise control and driver assistance tech like blind-spot detection and cross traffic warning.

The mid-spec Aceman adds a head-up display, wireless phone charging, heated seats, keyless entry, customisable front and rear lighting signatures and the option of six exterior paint colours, four roof colours and two interior colours, plus 18-inch rims.

At the top of the tree is a Sport trim that gets different front and rear bumpers, a rear spoiler, hexagonal front grille, JCW badging and bigger brakes.

There’s also an option pack that adds a panoramic roof, tinted windows and a Harman Kardon sound system, while a driver assist pack throws in more driver aids, augmented reality navigation and a massaging driver’s seat.

Australian pricing and specs for the all-new MINI Aceman will be announced ahead of its local release later this year.

For everything you auto know about EVs, listen to carsales' Watts Under the Bonnet: the electric car podcast

Join the conversation at our Facebook page
Or email us at editor@carsales.com.au