MINI – Pulpaddict

MINI Aceman review

We road test the newest member of the MINI family – the five-door, all-electric Aceman compact crossover…

Effectively replacing the MINI Clubman estate, the Aceman plugs the gap between the Cooper hatchback and Countryman SUV.

Looking not unlike a pint-sized Countryman, the Aceman borrows heavily from its big brother with blocky styling and short overhangs. It also gets angular lighting units and an octagonal grille.

Built in China initially with UK production set to follow, the Aceman is also the first MINI only to be sold as an EV.

It’s not short of a few rivals either, with the likes of the Ford Puma Gen-E, Hyundai Kona Electric, Alfa Romeo Junior, Kia Niro EV, Jeep Avenger, Volvo EX30 and the Vauxhall Mokka Electric in its sights.

Priced from £31,220, the Aceman comes in three flavours – E, SE and John Cooper Works (JCW). Entry level E gets a 42.5kWh battery and 181bhp electric motor, which is good for a claimed 192-mile range and a 7.9-second 0-62mph time.

The SE benefits from a 54.2kWh battery pack and more potent 215bhp e- motor. It’s quicker to 62mph with a time of 7.1 seconds, while range is up to 252 miles on a full charge.

The sport JCW version also gets the 54.2kWh battery, plus a meaty 255bhp motor, resulting in a 0-62mph sprint time of just 6.4 seconds.

Rapid charging speeds peak at 70kW for the E and 95kW for the SE and JCW, so a 10-80% charge will take as little as 29 minutes in the E and 31 minutes in the SE and JCW versions.

What’s the interior like? Well, very similar to the Cooper and Countryman, which means that its fairly minimalist, compared to previous generation MINIs.

Built around MINI’s unique circular central OLED touchscreen, it’s largely button free, but thankfully a row of toggle switches has been retained.

There’s no driver’s instrument cluster, but at least all versions come with a head-up display – so you’re not forced to glance at the central screen to view essentials such as speed.

There are three trim levels (Classic, Exclusive and Sport) – each with its own theme. All get a 2D knitted textile trim on the dash panel.

Premium quality of the cabin has always been a MINI strength. Except for the soft synthetic leather seats, I’d say the new model isn’t quite as classy, with its blend of rough-textured ‘knitted’ fabric made from recycled materials and scratchy plastic surfaces below.

Cabin space in the back is a huge improvement on the basic MINI Cooper with just enough space for an adult to sit behind another adult. However, there’s a luggage capacity of only 300 litres in the boot, which might be challenging for family trips.

MINIs are known for their go-kart driving experience, and the Aceman EV doesn’t disappoint. I drove the E and SE versions and there’s fantastic performance thanks to all that instant torque, while sharp-steering, superb grip and almost no body lean make it feel like it’s running on rails.

That said, some may find the ride on the stiff side, and the handling can get fidgety on twisty, fast sections of road, so hold on tight.

At its worst it feels like you’re being jostled around in the cabin, but for the most part, it’s a classic MINI driving dynamic.

Maybe if the seating position was a tad lower (like the Cooper) the overall experience would be improved?

I suspect owners will probably stick to default Core mode with its light steering feel and moderate acceleration, but it’s fun to shift it into Go Kart for short bursts too, with its heavier steering and sharper throttle response.

Frankly, there not much to choose between the E and SE on the road. If anything, the lighter E (smaller battery) is a tad more nimble, despite having fewer horses.

Unlike many EVs, the brakes are progressive, while the regenerative system works well, with a good selection of levels. Traction is surprisingly good too, considering the Aceman is front-wheel drive.

In real-world driving, we’d expect the Aceman E to manage around 160 miles and the SE closer to 200 miles, depending on the weather, driving style and terrain. However, in urban driving, the range should be closer to the official WLTP figures.

Verdict: Uniquely styled, safe, genuinely fun-to-drive and packed with tech, the MINI Aceman EV crossover is a solid and practical step-up from the three-door Cooper, offering a bit more space and reasonable range for everyday trips.

MINI UK

MINI Cooper review

We get behind the wheel of the next-generation pure electric MINI hatchback…

As the saying goes, you wait ages for a bus and then two come along at once. MINIs are a bit like that.

After a lean period on the launch front, this year has already seen the unveiling of the all-new MINI Aceman crossover, and the introduction of the third generation MINI Countryman family SUV.

Now there’s the subject of this road test – the fifth-generation MINI hatch. Or to be precise, the MINI Cooper, as it’s now known.

Built on a new EV platform, there are two versions so far – the Cooper E and SE.

Priced from £30,000, the entry-level Cooper E gets a 40.7kWh battery that’s good for 190 miles of range in official tests. Power output is 187bhp, which means it’s capable of a swift 0-62mph time of 7.3 seconds.

Splash out on a Cooper SE (from £34,500) and battery capacity increases to 54.2kWh for a range of up to 250 miles. Its 215bhp means it can sprint to 62mph in an even quicker 6.7 seconds.

Just as importantly, the E and SE can be charged at 75kW and 95kW respectively, meaning a 10-80% recharge takes around 30 minutes.

Like the rest of the new MINI family, the Cooper embraces a more minimalist look. There’s no chrome trim, but there’s still that iconic body shape with the wheels pushed out to the corners, plus trademark circular headlights.

At the rear, the lights are customisable, so customers can choose between three different light signatures, including the familiar Union Flag option.

It’s paired back inside too, and now the centrepiece is the world’s first circular OLED display.

Serving as an instrument cluster and onboard infotainment hub, the stunning touchscreen is 9.4 inches in diameter. The upper half displays vehicle-related information such as speed and battery status, with the lower area is used for navigation, media, phone and climate.

Frankly, it’s a little overwhelming at first because there’s an awful lot going on there, but we reckon it would all start to make sense after a week or so of ownership. Thankfully, MINI has kept a few signature toggle switches below the touchscreen.

The display’s party trick is a range of different ‘Experience’ modes, which change the look of the infotainment system and the car’s driving characteristics.

The default ‘Experience’ mode is referred to as Core – the others are Green, Go-Kart, Personal, Vivid, Timeless and Balance. Whenever you change the mode there’s a corresponding animation and jingle that plays. You’ll either find these quirky or irritating.

There’s are three trim levels (Classic, Exclusive and Sport) – each with its own theme. Classic’s highlights include a 2D knitted textile dashboard covering and black synthetic leather sports seats. Exclusive gets a two-tone houndstooth pattern for its knitted textile trim on the dash panel and perforated sports seats, while Sport delivers multi-coloured knitted textile and black synthetic leather with red stitching.

There’s also the small matter of rear seat and boot space. Same old story here, because despite being a tad longer, the new MINI is still snug in the back, while luggage space is a modest 200 litres, rising to 800 litres with the rear seats folded.

That said, it is well equipped. Every MINI Cooper comes with adaptive cruise control, a rear-view camera, ambient lighting and a heated steering wheel, for instance.

MINIs are known for their go-kart driving experience, and the EV version doesn’t disappoint. There’s fantastic performance thanks to all that instant torque, while sharp-steering, superb grip and almost no body lean make it feel like it’s running on rails.

That said, some may find the ride on the stiff side, and the handling can get fidgety if you push too far.

I suspect owners will probably stick to default Core mode with its light steering feel and moderate throttle response, but it’s fun to shift it into Go Kart for short bursts too, with its heavier steering, quicker downshifts and sharper throttle response.

Frankly, there not a huge gulf between the E and SE on the road. If anything, the lighter E (smaller battery) is slightly more nimble, despite having fewer horses. Naturally, the E and SE are particularly easy to drive around town.

Unlike many EVs, the brakes are progressive, while the regenerative system works well, with a good selection of levels.

It always seems unfair to criticise road and wind noise when reviewing an EV, because obviously it’s going to be more noticeable, but it was higher than expected – especially on poorer road surfaces.

We drove both models back-to-back during an entertaining, sunny day in the Cotswolds. In real-world driving, we’d expect the Cooper E to manage around 160 miles and the SE closer to 200 miles, depending on the weather and location. And, if you drive mainly in urban areas, your range should be closer to the official WLTP figures.

Overall, the retro cool new Cooper is not perfect, but in many ways it’s everything you’d hope for from an electric MINI.

Verdict: The all-new, all-electric MINI Cooper is a worthy descendant of the iconic original. Yes, it’s much bigger, but it still oozes character, puts a big smile on your face, and it’s packed with cutting-edge tech. Job done.

MINI UK

MINI Countryman review

We get to grips with the next-gen MINI Countryman in entry-level and performance guises…

I’ve always found it tricky trying to categorise the MINI Countryman. It looks like it’s a cross between an estate and a crossover, yet it’s actually about the same size as a family-sized Nissan Qashqai SUV.

One thing is for sure, the third generation Countryman is the biggest MINI ever. MAXI even.

Fans will be pleased to know that it’s still recognisable as a Countryman with its boxy styling, though this time round it’s 130mm longer than the outgoing model and 60mm taller.

The even better news is that means there’s more space for occupants and their luggage, and it’s had a significant tech upgrade.

First a quick recap. The MINI Countryman first appeared in 2010, with the second generation following in 2017. Significantly the Mk 2 was also available as a plug-in hybrid.

The all-new Countryman goes one better. There’s now a 100% electric option with a range of up to 287 miles.

The EV wasn’t available at the launch event, so we sampled two of the turbo petrol versions – the entry-level Countryman C, which has a 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine and is likely to be the most popular model – and the high-performance Countryman JCW (John Cooper Works) ALL4 range-topper, complete with 2.0-litre four-cylinder.

The 2024 MINI Countryman follows the clean, minimalist look already seen in the new MINI Cooper Electric.

There’s now an octagonal grille, smoother lines and simplified LED lighting front and back, while its rugged, upright proportions give it more of an SUV style.

Starting at £29,290 the MINI Countryman is offered with three trim levels – Classic, Exclusive or Sport. The JCW tips the scales at a hefty £40,425.

Arguably, the wow factor comes when you step inside the cabin. It’s paired back, like the exterior, and now the centrepiece is the world’s first circular OLED display.

Frankly, it was a little overwhelming at first because there’s an awful lot going on there, but I reckon it would all start to make sense after a week or so of ownership. Thankfully, MINI has kept a few signature toggle switches below the display.

The display’s party trick is a range of different ‘Experience’ modes, which change the look of the infotainment system and the car’s driving characteristics.

The default ‘Experience’ mode is referred to as Core, with others including Go Kart, Green, Vivid, Timeless, Personal, Balance, and Trail. Whenever you change the mode there’s a corresponding animation and jingle that plays. You’ll either find these quirky or irritating.

Elsewhere, the cabin definitely feels roomier and lighter than before (there’s an optional panoramic glass roof).

A sliding rear seat bench with adjustable backrests adds to the car’s flexibility, while up to 460 litres of boot space is offered with the seats up, expanding to 1,450 litres when they’re folded. Plus, there’s an additional under-floor compartment for stowing charging cables, for instance. In short, it’s a genuine family-sized car.

One of the outgoing Countryman’s strengths was the premium quality of the cabin. Except for the soft synthetic leather seats, I’d say the new model isn’t quite as classy, with its blend of rough-textured ‘knitted’ fabric made from recycled materials wrapped round the dashboard and door cards, and scratchy plastic surfaces.

Another example is the small perspex head-up display. Better than nothing, but nowhere near as classy as a HUD that projects directly onto the windscreen.

On the road, the third-gen Countryman has retained the fun-loving character you’d associate with the MINI family.

The front-wheel drive Countryman C’s punchy engine produces 167bhp and 280Nm of torque, and it can dash from 0–62mph in 8.3 seconds.

So, it’s swift, but it’s also no hot hatch – you’ll need to choose the S or JCW versions for more performance.

That said, it’s willing, and if you like a three-pot thrum and economy is important to you (it averages up to 46.3mpg, while CO2 emissions start at 138g/km), then this model ticks all the right boxes.

The C gets a standard passive suspension setup, which is on the firm side. It’s only really noticeable over the worst lumps and bumps, though it can feel a little jittery on poorer surfaces too.

For the most part it’s a perfectly pleasant ride with tidy handling and plenty of grip. The steering is direct and responsive, while the seven-speed automatic gearbox is slick with well-judged rations.

There’s decent body control in more challenging corners, but it would be an exaggeration to say that the Countryman C is agile with go-kart handling.

If you want more performance and sporty handling, then try the distinctive John Cooper Works Countryman. Its 2.0-litre produces 296bhp and 400Nm of torque, drive is via all four wheels and it can sprint from 0–62mph in just 5.1 seconds.

On the downside, fuel economy drops to an official 36.2mpg and CO2 emissions rise to an old-school 177-188g/km.

The JCW gets an adaptive suspension setup, so it constantly alters its behaviour according to road conditions and driving style in order to maximise the balance between ride and handling.

In reality, it feels more planted on the road, and if anything, it’s just a bit too powerful at times.

The steering is sharp and, for the most part, the ride is better, but it’s still firm and will still crash over the worst UK roads can offer.

The engine is more refined, though some won’t like the fact that it is artificially enhanced.

Stick the JCW into ‘Go-Kart’ mode and it sharpens up, delivering more driving engagement than its conventional SUV rivals.

Verdict: The new MINI Countryman is a real step-up from its predecessor, especially when it comes to practicality and technology. Fun to drive, well equipped and nicely finished, there’s arguably more of a cooler vibe than premium feel this time round.

MINI UK

All-new MINI Cooper goes into production in the UK

Gareth Herincx

21 hours ago
Auto News

The first fifth generation MINI Cooper has been manufactured at Plant Oxford, the home of MINI.

The first three-door model was driven off the production line by Charlie Cooper, grandson of the legendary John Cooper, whose heritage inspired the Cooper moniker.

The new MINI Cooper is the latest generation to be built in the UK, with all three BMW Group UK manufacturing sites contributing to production:

BMW Group Plant Swindon produces body pressings and sub-assemblies, while the latest highly-efficient three and four-cylinder petrol engines are built at BMW Group Plant Hams Hall in North Warwickshire.

Finally, these parts come together at MINI Plant Oxford where body shell production, paint and final assembly take place.

Since the launch of the first modern MINI in 2001, more than 4.4 million MINIs have been produced in the UK – including 150,000 MINI Electric models (built between 2019 and 2023).

The new MINI Cooper is the third member of the new MINI family, joining the MINI Cooper Electric and the new MINI Countryman. Available in two model variants: the MINI Cooper C and performance-enhanced MINI Cooper S, the latest three-door merges traditional brand values with innovative technology.

“This milestone underscores the commitment to our roots while propelling us into a dynamic future of driving,” said Stefanie Wurst, Head of MINI.

“Plant Oxford is the heart of the MINI brand, and today, as we witness the birth of this new chapter, we renew our pledge to craftsmanship and the thrill of motoring.”

Dr. Markus Grüneisl, Head of Plants Oxford and Swindon added, “We are delighted to welcome the new MINI Cooper to our lines in both Oxford and Swindon.

“The new MINI Cooper is an incredibly important car for our team and UK manufacturing. We are proud to produce this iconic car, loved all over the world.”

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Extreme weather testing for all-new MINI Aceman

Home / Auto News / Extreme weather testing for all-new MINI Aceman

Gareth Herincx

3 days ago
Auto News

The upcoming MINI Aceman electric crossover has been undergoing final testing in the desert in strong sunlight and temperatures of up to 50 Degrees C.

The Aceman, which has already successfully completed tests at the Arctic Circle, combines “the features of the two most successful MINI models, the MINI Cooper and the MINI Countryman, to create a new vehicle concept”.

In addition to driving dynamics and comfort, the test team is focusing on the demanding aspects of an electric vehicle, such as the air conditioning, charging and cooling of the battery in extreme conditions.

The MINI Aceman will bridge the gap between the MINI Cooper and the MINI Countryman and is expected to be unveiled at the Auto China show on 24 April.

Only available as an EV, it will have a modest battery size of 54.2kWh and power will come from a single electric motor at the front axle. Range is expected to be up to 248 miles.

Tags Crossover electric vehicle EV mini MiNI Aceman Mini Cooper MINI Countryman

Gareth is a versatile journalist, copywriter and digital editor who’s worked across the media in newspapers, magazines, TV, teletext, radio and online. After long stints at the BBC, GMTV and ITV, he now specialises in motoring.

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