Mini looks like it will lead the way in the move to electric vehicles, but the brand has fallen behind and only offers Mini Cooper SE with a limited range of 114 miles. Now, it looks like the British small car brand is ready to catch up or at least preview its electric future. On Tuesday, Mini unveiled the Concept Acemen, a small electric vehicle that highlights the brand’s future design and is likely to preview a new model.
The The concept of Aceman blends traditional Mini characteristics with a new green era. “This concept car reflects how MINI is reinventing itself for its all-electric future and what the brand stands for: electrified go-kart sensations, immersive and focused digital experiences. strong focus on minimal environmental footprint,” said Stefanie Wurst, Head of Brand MINI in a press release.
In addition to the electric powertrain, the Concept Acemen uses no leather and avoids chrome plating, which produces emissions during the plating process.
Mini Concept Aceman
Mini calls the new interface Captivating Simplicity and says it focuses on the essentials while embracing technology. The Aceman’s design features a distinctive Mini look and uses some strong accents based on the car’s UK origins. Elements of the British Union Jack flag appear on the roof rack, new front and rear lights via a matrix LED system. This lighting system, which comes with sound, also creates a warm-up animation and glows brighter as people approach the vehicle. As a five-door hatchback with the Mini’s signature short front and rear overhangs, the Aceman receives diagonal markings such as roof racks and trim around the wheels and along the bodywork. Mini calls it a crossover, but it looks more like a car to us.
It’s just 159.4 inches long, giving it a compact footprint, but its 78.3-inch width and 62.6-inch height are similar to those of mid-size or compact crossovers.
Mini Concept Aceman
Up front, an illuminated octagonal facet replaces the current cars’ chrome hexagonal styling, and the headlights are now circular trapezoidal instead of circular. The headlights and lights are also green, which we doubt will make it to production. Along the sides, the wheel arches are quite pronounced with a pitiful appearance. The car uses 20-inch wheels in concept form, but we expect smaller wheels in a production car.
The concept is painted in Icy Sunglow Green with a British Racing Green roof and dark green lower body panels. Down low, navy blue wheels and royal blue underbody panels. Speakers on the front and rear bumpers painted in orange-pink warn passersby that a vehicle is nearby.
Mini Concept Aceman
A panoramic roof gives the simple cockpit design an open feel. Mini says the console is styled like a sound bar and made from a soft fabric. Its flat surface is interrupted by a single circular digital display that handles the gauges and infotainment. As per Mini customization, a row of toggle switches and knobs sit below it to adjust the audio system, set the parking brake, select gears, and switch between the Mini’s Experience Modes. These modes offer their own color and sound palette and access to various infotainment functions. Velvet upholstery for the seats and steering wheel.
The Mini provides no information on powertrain, battery pack size or electric driving range. Hopefully, a production Acemen will have a larger battery pack that can provide a range of more than 114 miles.
Aceman will likely pave the way for future Mini EVs. Mini has confirmed it will introduce its last petrol car in 2025 and only sell electric cars in the early 2030s.
The Mini Concept Aceman will make its public debut on August 23-28 at the Gamescom 2022 computer and video game fair in Cologne, Germany.
