Countryman’s younger brother – Autoreview

Last fall, the Mini brand lineup acquired a new electric vehicle branch. Her firstborn was a three-door hatchback Mini Cooper, created together with Great Wall on a separate platform. The production of this model is organized in China. And now the second joint model has debuted at the Beijing Motor Show – a small electric SUV, the Mini Aceman.

The angular outlines of the body and lighting equipment, as well as a massive body kit made of unpainted plastic, create a solid off-road image. Although in reality the Mini Aceman is more of a raised hatchback the size of, say, a Renault Clio. It will be the only five-door in the new Mini electric range, since there are no plans for a traditional five-door hatchback (the petrol Mini will have one).

Eisman length is 4076 mm, width is 1754 mm, height is 1495 mm. Thus, it is 217 mm longer than the three-door Cooper, but 354 mm shorter than the older crossover Countryman. In keeping with the latest fashion, headlights and taillights feature a customizable light pattern with three options to choose from. Exterior decoration also depends on the selected trim level (Essential, Classic, Favored and JCW), as does the design of wheels with a diameter of 17 to 19 inches.

The minimalistic interior is almost entirely borrowed from the three-door electric hatchback. Here is the same front panel with a circular OLED display with a diameter of 240 mm. He is responsible not only for the media system with the Mini OS 9 shell, but also for instrument readings, since there is no traditional instrumentation in front of the driver here. A projection display and color music on the front panel are offered for an additional fee.

Under the central “saucer” there is a block of analog switches in which the transmission selector, handbrake button, rotary lever for starting the car and the emergency brake button are arranged. The rational use of internal space for five riders is especially emphasized. Trunk volume ranges from 300 liters under the shelf to 1005 liters with the rear row folded.

The electric powertrain is offered in two versions, like the base Mini Cooper hatchback. But in any case, the drive is only front-wheel drive (although there is an independent suspension at the rear). The younger Aceman E has an electric motor with an output of 184 hp. and 290 Nm, and the capacity of the traction battery is 40.7 kWh. The charge lasts for 310 km according to the WLTP cycle, acceleration to “hundreds” takes 7.9 seconds, maximum speed is 160 km/h. The second option, designated Mini Aceman SE, has a more powerful engine (218 hp, 330 Nm) and a larger battery of 54.2 kWh. The range has increased to 406 km, acceleration to 100 km/h takes 7.1 seconds, and the top speed has been increased to 170 km/h.

It has already been announced that the Mini Aceman will hit the markets of China and Europe (including the UK) later in the autumn. Now production will be established in China, but in 2026 Aceman will begin to be produced at the main plant in Oxford, England: 600 million pounds sterling has now been allocated for the re-equipment of the site.