Mini Aceman Premium EV Fun
Words by Mark Slack
There is quite an art to successfully managing history and pedigree into a modern incarnation and nowhere more than in the automotive industry. Some car makers manage it very successfully while others seem to create more of a pastiche in their efforts. One car maker that has taken an original car and created a highly popular modern interpretation is BMW with the MINI range. While the MINI may not be anywhere near as mini as it used to be there are a lot of nods to its heritage yet the line-up encapsulates the best of what a modern car should be as many buyers all over the world seem to agree judging
by its popularity.
The range includes full EVs in addition to petrol engines and all-wheel-drive with a wide range of body styles. One of the new models within the line-up is the Aceman all electric with pricing from £31,800 for the Classic trim level, £34,000 for the Exclusive and £36,300 for the Sport version. There are E and SE levels within each model and the John Cooper Works model starts from £40,800. Standard equipment across the range includes such items as LED lights, Bluetooth, Apple Car Play, folding, heated and dimming mirrors, heated seats and steering wheel, navigation and air conditioning. As the trim levels move the standard equipment levels rise and there is a myriad of different option packs available.
The interior, as with all MINIs to be fair, feels different, premium, compared to many rivals of similar pricing. A nod to the original Mini’s interior is immediately visible with the large round central display screen, now OLED so the clarity is superb. The seats are comfortable and supportive with both front seats having height adjustment. As with all modern cars the tech with touchscreen and apps can feel a bit daunting but familiarity would undoubtedly make life easier. The system is also one of the more intuitive ones too.
On the road the Aceman is terrific fun thanks to its handling and performance. Although not overtly fast in terms of top speed it nonetheless reaches the benchmark 62 mph in a whisker under 8 seconds for the lowest powered version, that develops 184 hp, 7.1 seconds for the 218 hp and just 6.4 seconds for the 258 hp John Cooper Works model.
Range is always an issue with any EV and MINI has made great strides in this regard with the lead-in model giving 192 miles and a much more useable 251 miles for the mid-range SE versions. Style aside, which is always a subjective matter, I suspect few would find much to complain about in the way the Aceman drives, and if you remain to be convinced by EVs there is a generous petrol engine range of MINIs available.
