No definite word if Mini's first
all-electric model will be sold in U.S.

(April 25, 2024) BEIJING — Mini has reinterpreted the original vision of company founder Alec Issigonis, combining maximum space utilization and a minimum footprint with the new Aceman, a premium small crossover. The Aceman replaces the slow-selling Clubman station wagon, giving Mini full coverage of the small premium segment with various body styles and powertrain options. It is the first Mini that will be sold only as a battery-electric vehicle.

“The Aceman is perfect for navigating crowded city streets, while maintaining the versatility and functionality of a crossover and the go-kart feeling you can expect from a Mini,” Stefanie Wurst, head of Mini, said in a statement.

At 160.4 inches long, the Aceman slots between the Mini hatchback at 152.6 inches, which was recently renamed the Cooper, and the larger Countryman small crossover at 174.5 inches long.

While Mini has not confirmed whether the Aceman will be sold in North America, the crossover has been shown to dealers, a strong hint it will eventually be marketed in the U.S.

The Aceman will initially be built in China on a new platform developed by Spotlight Automotive, a joint venture between BMW and China's Great Wall. It was designed alongside the new Cooper full-electric hatchback, also built only in China.

Beginning in 2026, Mini will start production of both electric vehicles at its plant in Oxford, England. At launch, the Aceman will come with two electric motor and two battery combinations.

The Aceman E features a 42.5-kilowatt-hour battery pack and a 184-hp electric motor that delivers a 0 to 62 mph time of 7.9 seconds and a top speed of 99 mph. Consumption of electricity on the Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicles Test Procedure combined cycle is between 14.1 and 14.7 kWh/62 miles for a range of between 185 and 193 miles.

The more powerful Aceman SE features a 54.2-kWh battery and a 218-hp electric motor that offers acceleration of 0 to 62 mph in 7.1 seconds and a top speed of 106 mph. Electricity consumption in the combined cycle is between 13.9 and 14.6 kWh/62 miles for a range of 237 to 252 miles.

“With its distinctive expression, the Aceman is the perfect everyday companion for those who value individuality in urban areas,” Mini design chief Oliver Heilmer said in a statement.