Back in 2011, Mini released a concept it dubbed “Rocketman”.
It had nothing to do with Elton John, though the addition of star-shaped fog lights and pearl-encrusted side mirrors might have made for novelty Easter eggs. The Rocketman was a futuristic take on the essence of Mini, being tiny, cleverly packaged and frugal. At just more than 3m long, it was properly dainty, boasted seating for four, and had a drivetrain that claimed fuel consumption of just 3l/100km.
Rocketman was a fascinating design study and, while it never saw series production, some elements of it — the gaping hexagonal maw, distinctive illuminated headlamp rings and minimalistic cabin with a huge circular interface taking focal point — made their way into the Mini model mix.
Sure, the radical pivoting doors were never going to be a reality, but its intention — easier ingress and egress — foreshadowed a more practical execution that manifested in the five-door Cooper that followed later.
This month, Mini launched yet another five-door model — the Aceman. Size-wise, it slots in above the traditional Cooper range and below the large Countryman.
Visually, it sets itself apart from its Mini brethren with an angular headlamp design, a squarer silhouette, and tough-looking black plastic cladding.
The Aceman is the first model in the Mini range to have been designed around an electric power train from the get-go. Its handlers categorise it as a crossover, rather than a sport-utility vehicle such as its bigger Countryman sibling, citing the Volvo EX30 as its chief rival.
On the pricing front, the Aceman undercuts its Swedish counterpart, with base pricing kicking off at R800,000 on the nose for the E version. The more powerful SE model, which also has a lengthier range, requires R92,000 more. That figure includes a five-year/100,000km maintenance plan and an eight-year/100,000km battery warranty, supplementing the two-year/unlimited mileage standard-issue warranty. In contrast, the EX30 ranges from R835,500 to R1,114,000.
While long-standing Volvo buyers would find the EX30 alien in many respects, particularly where basic user-friendliness is concerned, faithful Mini aficionados will be encouraged to see the Aceman retains the standard touchpoints found across the range.
When one gets behind the wheel, there is an instant sense of familiarity — from that sizeable central circle and chunky three-spoke steering wheel to the toggle bar with dinky switchgear and twistable start dial. Of course, there are the customary, whimsical acoustic signatures: even the hardest of cynics will be susceptible to the charms of those “bongs” and “bings” Mini is known for.
In relative terms, the Aceman is compact. Its 4,079mm length is 43mm greater than that of the Cooper five-door, and its 2,606mm wheelbase is longer by 39mm.
But the numbers tell only half the story. Remember that omitting an engine and associated running gear makes for a flat floor plan, and therefore more scope for smarter interior packaging. The Aceman feels spacious, and boot space is 300l (or 1,005l with the seats folded). Sadly, Mini missed a trick by not offering a “frunk” storage compartment.
The cabin is replete with nooks and crannies for oddments, from a covered bin between the driver and passenger to generous door pockets with moulds for water bottles. Fabric textiles on the dashboard and door panels create a warm feel, and the driver benefits from a handy integrated armrest.
Those spirited drivers who keep both hands on the wheel will be pleased to learn the “go-kart” promise touted by Mini rings true in the Aceman — and certainly more so than in the taller, chunkier Countryman.
Yes, it weighs a lot more than the Cooper five-door, tipping the scales at 1,720kg, but the lower centre of gravity afforded by the battery pack placement and the instantaneous responses of the electric motor allow for a fun, agile driving experience. Reflexes are sharp, and the front-wheel-drive chassis rides on the firmer side, with a ground-hugging stance.
In the SE we tested, you get a claimed 0-100km/h sprint time of 7.1 seconds, a power output of 160kW, and 330Nm of torque, from a motor juiced by a 54.2kWh battery. Driven efficiently, the model has a quoted driving range of 380km. The standard E packs 135kW and 290Nm, its battery size is 42.5kWh, and range is said to be 300km.
Step on the power pedal and the soundtrack is not dissimilar to that of BMW’s electric models.
The Aceman is not going to appeal to everyone, and average buyers will see better sense in the less expensive, engine-powered five-door Mini options. But those who do opt in will be treated to a typical Mini experience — while being able also to smugly boast of their zero-emissions mobility.
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