Latest news with #Aceman
IOL News
25-06-2025
- Automotive
- IOL News
Driving impressions: the Mini Aceman combines classic design with cutting-edge electric performance
In the Mini hierarchy the Aceman sits between the Cooper and the Countryman and is the result of a joint venture with Chinese manufacturer Great Wall Motors. Image: Supplied When Sir Alec Issigonis famously first sketched a small car on a napkin, little did he know how popular the Mini would become, and he definitely didn't have a clue what an Electric Vehicle was either. Fast forward 65 years or so, and you struggle to read a vehicle review without the words New Energy Vehicle (NEV). Not so small This is one of those reviews, and it is the Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) Mini Aceman. In the Mini hierarchy, the Aceman sits between the Cooper and the Countryman and is the result of a joint venture with Chinese manufacturer Great Wall Motors using the Spotlight EV architecture. It's also not a small car by the original brief, standing at just over four metres long with a boot capacity of 300 litres that expands to 1,005 litres with the rear seats folded, while front headroom is said to be 1,003mm and rear 958mm. Power There are two variants of the Aceman: the E and the one we had on test, the SE. With a permanent magnet synchronous motor coupled with a 54.2kWh lithium-ion battery, it produces 160kW and 330Nm and is good for a 0-100km/h time of 7.1 seconds. It will accommodate DC charging of up to 95kW, which should take about 30 minutes to get from 10-80% and an AC charge of five hours and 50 minutes from 0-100%. Fully charged, Mini says it should have a range of 400km, but in the real world, depending on how you drive, it's closer to 330 km. Exterior There's still no denying that it very much still has the mini design DNA with a combination of sculptured lines and angular surfaces, bug-eye LED headlights, and in this case, roof rails, front and rear skidplates and all-round black plastic cladding appealing to its SUV-type appeal. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Roof rails, front and rear skidplates and all round black plastic cladding gives the Mini Aceman an SUV-type appeal. Image: Supplied Interior The interior also maintains its quirky style and design. It's one of the more unique interiors in an almost same-same big screen-dominated interiors. Continuing its homage to the original Mini, the Aceman's centrepiece is the round 9.4-inch infotainment system running on their Operating 9 system. The display is easy to use and quick to respond with clear graphics. The 'floating' door handles are unique to the Aceman, and they've used several different recycled materials with bold accents on the dash and other trim to keep it fun and vibrant. Like I said, it's unlike anything else out there. The remodelled toggle bar has a proper tactile feel to it and allows you to switch between eight driving modes that include Core, Personal, Vivid, Green, Timeless, Balance, Trail and Go-Cart, which enhances throttle response. Each mode has its own unique sound, with Go-Cart providing a 'whoohoo' voice when selected. Using Green Mode and driving gently over the week, the screen said I had managed to save 20 kilometres, which is quickly gobbled up when you switch to Go-Cart. Driving As with the entire Mini range, they're always fun to drive with keen handling and precise steering, and the Aceman is no different. It's rather brisk on take-off, but not as gut-wrenching as some other EVs, and that's a good thing because I think the novelty of the immediate torque jettisoning you forward is starting to wear off. Thanks to the fairly low centre of gravity, it sits rather well around sharp corners, while stomping on the accelerator quickly takes care of slower traffic. The ride is rather firm, which does make driving over badly maintained tar and even smooth gravel roads a bit uncomfortable. When pressed hard in Go-Cart Mode, there's a motorsport-inspired sound piped into the cabin, which I found intrusive. On the other hand, my son, in his early twenties, provided a different perspective, saying that it's a modern, fun electric car aimed at non-grumpy people, unlike his father apparently. Fitted with lane-keeping assist and adaptive cruise control, highway driving is completely effortless. The Aceman's centrepiece is the round 9.4-inch infotainment system running on their Operating 9 system. Image: Supplied Different point of view There was also an interesting conversation I had with a lady that clearly knows her stuff, while charging at a 150kW charging point at a shopping centre close to where I stay. It was her first look at the Aceman, and she was impressed with how it looked and the interior setup. Her biggest issue was range anxiety, not so much around town with her kids, but more so over long distances. She knew that South Africa has a fairly good charging infrastructure, but the usual loadshedding, having to wait while it's charging, and all the other what-ifs came up, as it always does. She baulked at the R892 000 price tag and said that she would rather spend less money on something similar, like the Mini Countryman (R810,774) or, as a BMW fan, a BMW X1 or X2 and not have to concern herself about EV challenges. She's not wrong. The Mini Aceman is a decent overall package, but is a city-centric car and definitely aimed at a niche buyer looking for something different in the EV shopping cart while still having the characteristic Mini look and feel.
Daily Mail
06-06-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mail
RAY MASSEY: New electric Mini Aceman packs a bit of poke
Back in the days when Britain really could do 'stuff', we invented the Mini. And not just A Mini. The Mini. Launched in 1959 by design genius Sir Alec Issigonis, this slight but powerful car became an icon of the Swinging Sixties. Measuring 10ft long (just over 3m) it really was small – a point worth reinforcing for those more used to its 21st century incarnations. It passed into the hands of Germany's BMW in 1994, who helmed the next four generations, the latest of which – the all-electric five-door Mini John Cooper Works (JCW) Aceman – I've just been driving. Measuring more than 4m and weighing 1,820kg, it is significantly heavier than the original's 590kg. Progress! Yet it too is a Mini. It also has a very sporty 'John Cooper' twist, made visible by specific exterior JCW bodywork tweaks, interior trim, and the red, black and white JCW logo. The new range-topping JCW Aceman compact SUV, like all in the Mini Aceman range, is available only as an electric. Powered by a 54.2kWh battery, it develops a maximum 255hp which propels it from rest to 62mph in a sprightly 6.4 seconds and up to 124mph. The front-wheel drive JCW is agile and grippy, giving a good lick on the straight and offering a blast around the Cotswold country lanes where I drove it. But you do need to keep a firm grip on the steering wheel to keep the power under control. The racing-inspired interior with high-sitting seats are great, but the rear is a bit of a squeeze even for four, never mind the claimed five, with a compact 300-litre boot. A 24cm, circular digital screen dominates the central dashboard and holds all the information the driver needs. It has seven driving modes, including 'go-kart' option. Claimed range is 243 miles, though real-world range is likely closer to 200. This Aceman doesn't come cheap: prices start from £40,920, putting it into the higher 'Tesla Tax' bracket for EV Vehicle Excise Duty. My car cost £44,570, thanks to extras including £550 for the British Racing Green paint and £3,800 for a 'Level 3' pack, which included a panoramic glass sunroof, front heated and electric memory seats and adaptive LED headlights. The sibling two-door JCW Electric hatchback starts from £39,120. It may be a compact SUV but the JCW Aceman still a far cry in size from the original 10ft long Mini – being more than a meter longer (4.08m compared to 3.05m). At nearly 2m wide it's also much broader (1.99m compared to 1.41m) and also taller (1.51m against 1.35m). At 1.820kg it's also around three times the unladen weight of the original Mini at 590kg. Roof rails are standard as are the larger 19-inch wheels and sports tyres on which it runs (the hatchback version has 18 inch wheels) with red painted brake callipers. Range finder The JCW Aceman has a claimed range of 243 miles, though real-world range is likely closer to 200 miles. An 80 per cent charge at a fast-charging station takes under 30 minutes, says Mini. Rivals It may be premium and a tad niche, but the JCW Aceman is in a competitive market for feisty compact SUVs at a time when prices generally are dropping because of sluggish sales, the influx of cheaper Chinese rivals, and discounts from car-makers desperate to avoid controversial ZEV mandate fines for selling too few electric cars to meet imposed government targets. Rivals include the Volvo EX30, Abarth 600e, Alfa Romeo Junior Veloce, and the Smart #1. Summing up its latest model, Mini notes: 'Over six decades ago designer John Cooper developed a sportier version of the classic Mini, becoming an instant success on racetracks and rally courses globally before the name was cemented in history with three victories at the Monte Carlo Rally across the 1960s. 'John Cooper Works has been transferring this success from the racetrack onto traditional MINI models ever since.' VERDICT The new range-topping JCW Aceman is a fun, fast and agile compact SUV that's marginally more practical - if slightly slower – than its hatchback sibling. But while extremely sprightly, it's go-kart handling does need to be controlled as raw power seems to have been promoted at the expense of performance finesse. And it's not cheap. And while German-owned MINI may still class it as a British 'brand', the new Aceman is currently built 5,000 miles from Oxford in Zhangjiagang, China. There were plans to build it in the UK, along with a reintroduced electric Mini hatchback. But in February BMW paused a planned £600m investment (announced in September 2023) to electrify its Oxford factory, citing 'multiple uncertainties facing the automotive industry' including a slower than expected take-up of EVs. Legend has it the original Mini of the Swinging Sixties never made a profit. That's not a mistake current owners BMW are ever likely to make. Kia unveils new generation Sportage SUV Kia has unveiled the sleek new generation version of its popular Sportage SUV. With mild styling tweaks, the new Sportage has an upgraded interior and offers a choice of petrol, hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains. Despite a slightly shortened wheelbase, it still offers more than one metre of rear legroom, and up to 1,776 litres boot capacity with second-row seats folded. As a rival to Skoda's Karoq and the Nissan Qashqai, expect prices from around £33,000 with first UK deliveries from this autumn. The five-seater SUV comes in three trim levels and with a choice of 17, 18, and 19in wheels, including exclusive designs for the higher spec versions. The Kia Sportage was the UK's second best-selling car last year (after the Ford Puma) and more than 124,000 of the current model have been sold since 2022, with more than 7 million Sportages sold globally.
The Irish Sun
06-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
Having it LARGE in the new MINI Countryman that's now a compact SUV
THE current MINI isn't exactly a tiny car when compared to the original icon from the 70s. And this week's test-drive, the Countryman, is huge — in fact, it's the biggest MINI ever created. Advertisement 7 BIGGEST MINI EVER: At 4,444mm long, 1,843mm wide and 1,661mm high, the new Countryman is the biggest MINI the company has ever produced Credit: Mark Fagelson Photography 7 READY FOR ACTION: Countryman features SUV design and is available in front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive models Credit: Mark Fagelson Photography It's a compact SUV in size now, so a better name for it might be the MIDI instead of MINI. However, even though its suspension is slightly raised, it still manages to retain some of that go-kart experience you expect when you drive any of the MINI models — and there's plenty to choose from. But back to the Countryman. Inside, it looks just like the regular MINI hatch or new fully-electric Aceman. Advertisement Key Facts: MINI Countryman C Key facts: Cost: From €40,990 Engine: 1.5-litre turbo petrol Power: 170bhp Torque: 280Nm 0-100kph: 8.3 seconds Top Speed: 212kph Economy: 44.9mpg Real world economy: 40.9mpg Emissions: 143g/km Drivetrain: Front-wheel drive Gearbox: 7-speed auto Rivals: Volvo XC49, Mercedes GLA, Audi Q2, VW T-Roc My test car was the entry-level petrol Countryman C model that's powered by a 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbo engine that produces 170bhp and 280Nm of torque. So 0-100kph takes 8.3 seconds with a top speed of 212kph. It uses mild-hybrid tech that helps it return an official combined average of 45.6mpg, and I managed a respectable 40.9mpg — not bad for a big girl! On the road, the Countryman is fun to drive, not as nimble as the MINI hatch, but what it lacks in agility, it makes up for in interior space. Advertisement Most read in Motors Preview And being more SUV than car, the Countryman has slightly raised suspension, so is very compliant over rough terrain, making it a great rural vehicle. It's perfect for those who lead an outdoor lifestyle or have an active family. Other models in the line-up are the Countryman S ALL4. That's — surprise, surprise — all-wheel drive and produces 218bhp. Advertisement Then there's the potent John Cooper Works Countryman ALL4 that produces 300bhp. 7 MINI COUNTRYMAN JOHN COOPER WORKS: There's a potent John Cooper Works Countryman with 300bhp. It is all-wheel drive and uses a 7-speed DCT auto gearbox plus has a 0-100kph time of 5.4secs Credit: MINI 7 MINI COUNTRYMAN E & SE: MINI also produce a fully-electric Countryman with a 64.6kWh battery and two power outputs, 204bhp with FWD and 313bhp with AWD and a range up to 461km, plus DC charging up to 130kW Credit: MINI And you can opt for a fully-electric model that comes with a 64.6kWh battery and two power outputs. Advertisement The Countryman E has 204bhp with FWD and the Countryman SE has 313bhp with AWD, with a range up to 461km plus up to 130kW DC fast charging. As mentioned above, inside, the Countryman is very similar to the MINI hatch and the new MINI Aceman as they all feature a large 9.4-inch-OLED central screen. The graphics are superb, sharp, modern and the infotainment system is voice-activated. You can say simple commands like 'Cool it down' and the car will drop the temperature. Advertisement To manually adjust the heating, though, you have to tap the screen, there are no physical buttons, and it's the same for the heated seats and steering wheel. 7 RETRO INTERIOR: The interior has loads of retro styling like the large circular display, toggle switches and twist key-like start button that harks back to the original MINI Credit: Mark Fagelson Photography 7 FAMILY FRIENDLY: The Countryman is huge for a MINI, making it the perfect family machine Credit: Mark Fagelson Photography But the heating controls are permanently situated on the screen, so you don't have to go digging in any sub-menus to adjust them. Advertisement The Driving modes, called Experiences, are fun, with different graphics and sounds for each setting. Core is the default and Go-Kart gives you full power and torque with a turbo boost and G-Metre gauge. There's also Green, which is the Eco setting, Personal, Vivid, Timeless, Balance, which shuts the screen covering, and finally Trial mode – a sort of off-road mode with a compass and body angle metre, although this Countryman wasn't the all-wheel drive version. There are other cool, retro-style features, like the twist key start button and toggle switches that hark back to the retro MINI. Advertisement The dash is covered in fabric, the figure-hugging seats are leather-trimmed and as the Countryman is a four-door, there's great room in the back. Read more on the Irish Sun There is lots of headroom for rear-seat passengers, who also have a couple of cup holders, door bins, electric windows, seat pockets, two USB-C sockets, heating controls, plus the rear seats can be individually slid back and forth. The boot is a good size too, 450 litres — and that rises to 1,450 litres with the rear seats down. 7 BOOT SIZE: 450 litres and that rises to 1,450 litres with the seats folded down Credit: Mark Fagelson Photography Advertisement
Auto Express
04-06-2025
- Automotive
- Auto Express
New MINI John Cooper Works Aceman 2025 review: fun but far from perfect
Fun isn't hard to come by in the John Cooper Works Aceman - but neither are the flaws. The rapid powertrain rarely fails to throw up a giggle, but sharp steering only manages to inject a veneer of agility over what is a very heavy - and rather numb - car for its size. The ride is too firm, and the interior space isn't great for those in the back, but those up front are treated to a cabin that feels more special than its rivals - all the more impressive when the Aceman undercuts those competitors on price. Advertisement - Article continues below This is the MINI John Cooper Works Aceman, the hottest version of the brand's five-door, all-electric challenger. Less than a year ago, the MINI Aceman would've been entering a class all to itself, but the recent arrival of two Stellantis contenders – the Alfa Romeo Junior Elettrica Veloce and the Abarth 600e Scorpionissima – means that buyers have three distinctive options when it comes to something compact and sporty with a subtle SUV standing. The Aceman's squared-off front end is given a couple of subtle tweaks for the John Cooper Works enhancement; the red, white and black JCW logo sits within a large gloss-black frontage, which extends into the front splitter and around the sides of the car into the wheelarch trims. These surround a unique set of 19-inch alloy wheels, and around the back there's a pronounced spoiler that frames the rear window. More John Cooper Works badging can be found on the boot lid, while a snazzy set of racing stripes add a sporty touch to the bonnet. Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below Inside, the Aceman's cabin remains a fantastic place to sit – literally, thanks to the supportive part-leather front seats, whose design has been given the JCW treatment with its black and red colour palette. Among the lovely details are the red and black nylon strip that forms the lower spoke of the chunky steering wheel, and the woven fabric dashboard top with red chequered highlights. The latter is picked out even further by the tastefully judged red ambient lighting that catches the textured surface, as well as glowing from under the dash and the doors. In terms of finish and sense of occasion, the Aceman is hard to knock. Advertisement - Article continues below As ever, that round touchscreen looks fantastic, too, but in some ways it's a case of form following function; the on-screen temperature controls are rather fiddly, for example. It's not the only slight ergonomic quirk inside, too, because the central cubby, which is opened by a red nylon strap, is hinged towards the passenger, which makes it a bit awkward for the driver to get to. It's still not a particularly spacious car, either. While the Aceman is more roomy than the standard MINI hatch – and the two rear doors improve access to the back, too – it still has less rear kneeroom than not only the Abarth 600e, but also the smaller Renault 5. A 300-litre boot is reasonable, if not outstanding. Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below So it's not a car that buyers should flock to if practicality is at the forefront of their minds, but it does manage to serve up a healthy dose of fun – despite the fact that it's not completely flawless from behind the wheel, either. Fundamentally, it uses the same configuration as the MINI John Cooper Works Electric, which means a 254bhp/340Nm motor drives the front wheels, and is linked to a 54.2kWh battery. That maximum power output is on tap when the driver flicks the little paddle marked 'Boost' behind the steering wheel; this ups the output from 227bhp to that higher figure for 10 seconds, giving the driver the chance to complete that 0-62mph dash in 6.4 seconds. That's half a second behind the three-door JCW, yet it still feels lively in a straight line, in no small part thanks to a steering wheel that wriggles in your hands as the JCW's chassis fights to deploy all of that torque to the road. Advertisement - Article continues below Still, that acceleration figure is half a second behind that of the three-door JCW, and a large part of that comes down to the Aceman's weight. For a car that's less than 4.1 metres long, a 1,820kg kerbweight is pretty significant, and it's something that becomes more obvious when you start to reach the Aceman's limits on the road. Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below Typical of every current MINI, the Aceman's steering is incredibly responsive, so initially the car feels incredibly keen to dart into corners. However, lean on it through longer turns or ask for a quick direction change, and the Aceman doesn't quite feel as darty as we'd like, or indeed as darty as its Stellantis rivals. Things have improved over the standard models, however; the uprated Hankook tyres and revised suspension geometry make it a more grippy yet more enjoyable car than the rest of the range, but those changes don't improve one of the Aceman's main weaknesses, which is its lifeless steering. For a brand that has produced so many cracking hot hatches over the years, its current line-up's lack of feedback is a bit of a disappointment. The ride also falls into the same category. While not quite as punishingly firm as the three-door JCW, the Aceman is still incredibly hard over bumps. A certain degree of stiffness is necessary to keep that weight in check of course, but on an undulating B-road, it works against it, throwing the Aceman's body from one bump to the next. With more compliance, there's no doubt that it could flow along a road better, and ultimately carry more speed. That extra weight relative to the hatchback has only a minor adverse effect on the car's range, at least officially; WLTP figures state 243 miles between charges, which is significantly up on the official 200-mile range of the Alfa Romeo Junior. Our time behind the wheel wasn't thorough enough to get a fair judgement of real-world range, although with enthusiastic driving, that figure looks like it'll drop closer to 160 miles between top-ups. At 95kW, the charging speeds are bang on the money with its closest rivals. With prices starting at £36,905, however, the Aceman does undercut its Italian rivals, with both the Abarth and the Alfa priced from around £40,000 in their most potent forms. Model: MINI John Cooper Works Aceman Base price: £36,905 Powertrain: 1x e-motor, 54.2kWh battery Transmission: Single-speed, front-wheel drive Power/torque: 254bhp/340Nm 0-62mph: 6.4 seconds Top speed: 124mph Range/charging: 243 miles/95kW (10-80% in 30 minutes) Length/width/height: 4,079/1,754/1,514mm On sale: Now Latest MINI John Cooper Works Aceman deals Did you know you can sell your car through Auto Express ? We'll help you get a great price and find a great deal on a new car, too . Car Deal of the Day: Super sci-fi Kia EV6 for an exceptional £260 per month Car Deal of the Day: Super sci-fi Kia EV6 for an exceptional £260 per month Our Deal of the Day for 31 May is an extremely attractive price for this extremely capable electric family car Car Deal of the Day: new Omoda 5, with all the kit you might need, for less than £200 per month Car Deal of the Day: new Omoda 5, with all the kit you might need, for less than £200 per month The Omoda 5 is one of the newest arrivals to the family SUV market, and now it's our Deal of the Day for 1 June Audi A3 Sportback 35 TFSI long term test: premium hatch is a joy to live with Audi A3 Sportback 35 TFSI long term test: premium hatch is a joy to live with First report: premium hatch joins our fleet, and its bright metallic paint has already earned it a nickname Long-term tests 1 Jun 2025
The Guardian
16-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Guardian
‘This car just makes me smile' – a motoring expert checks out MINI's new all-electric Aceman
Smiling is good for us. According to scientists, smiling releases all sorts of happy chemicals, relaxes our faces and sends more blood to our brains. And if there's one car that makes me smile more than any other it's a MINI. In my view, MINI has done a stellar job of reinventing and developing the most famous of British car brands, producing cars that are like nothing else – they blend go-kart handling with fun features and a quality that belies the price tag. MINIs just make me smile – and I like that. Over the past 12 months, MINI has done something other carmakers would think impossible: it has reinvented its whole lineup. So, we've seen a new Cooper hatchback and a new Countryman SUV arrive. Now we've got the one that sits in the middle and which I reckon is the sweet spot of the newly rejuvenated range – the Aceman. 'I've been finding excuses to get the Aceman on the road whenever I can' For me, the Aceman is the MINI with the most attitude; it covers the most bases and it's the most fun, too. I've been living with it for a while now to see whether this new, all-electric model can put a smile on my face and keep it there as I drive in and out of London on a weekend away and on the country lanes near my home. My Aceman came in SE Sport trim with a John Cooper Works body kit (John Cooper fettled the famous rally-winning MINIs in the 1960s and his name has graced MINIs since then) with stunning and aptly named Legend Grey paintwork. It looks great on the outside, but I reckon it's even better inside, where a 9.4-inch circular infotainment screen with the latest OLED technology is like nothing else you'll find in a car. MINIs always had a round speedometer in the centre of the car, and this latest one not only has the speedo on it, but full-screen navigation and touchscreen controls for everything from music to adjusting the ambient lighting inside the car. I've also been getting some strange looks by talking to the car. Saying 'hey MINI' gives me a world of interactive opportunities, such as asking the car to change the air-con temperature or dial a phone number for me. However, the most fun with a MINI comes from driving it, so I've been finding excuses to get the Aceman on the road whenever I can. I live in Buckinghamshire, where the country lanes were made for a MINI, but I've had just as much fun driving around town. The electric motor's 218 horsepower gives an instant hit of acceleration when you press the throttle, which is totally addictive. Getting off the mark, the famous 0-62mph sprint takes just 7.1 seconds, but the excitement can come at pretty much any speed with a burst of power available just when you need it – like pulling out into traffic or for a quick overtake. Acceleration is accompanied by a really cool digital sound that changes note as you go faster, just as the sound in a petrol MINI would. I'd go as far as saying it sounds even better and is another thing that sends a buzz of excitement through me when I'm driving. What I love most is the Aceman's ability to hustle, whether that's in and out of city traffic or on tight and twisty roads out of town. We took the MINI into London for a weekend away, where not only was the Aceman congestion charge-free because of its zero emissions, but nipping in and out of city traffic was so much fun. You can put your foot down, get a quick hit of acceleration and you're still well within the speed limit. That famous go-kart handling means the car feels really agile, too. You can change direction quickly to swap lanes, while the Aceman's compact shape is perfect for city streets. Steve Fowler and the new MINI Aceman tackled the country lanes of Buckinghamshire, busy motorways and the buzzing streets of London on a weekend trip With some sporty cars, you get a rock-hard ride, but not in the Aceman – it's as comfortable as it is responsive. Visibility out is great, too, which helps around town. You know where the car's corners are and it's easy to park with cameras to help out. In fact, my car has Parking Assistant Plus, which means it'll park itself. For two of us, the Aceman was the perfect size – with a boot big enough for a couple of small suitcases and a load more squashy bags. We've also taken a couple of family members along for the ride and there have been no complaints about space in the back, but lots of compliments about the Aceman. Everyone was a fan of the panoramic sunroof that gives you a great view up; perfect when you're driving around a city with plenty to see. It hasn't just been about city driving for me, though. I've also used the Aceman on longer journeys on the motorway where Driving Assistance Plus makes driving more relaxing. I'm still in charge, but the system will take care of the accelerating and braking, while sticking to the speed limit and keeping the car in lane. I'm a big tech fan, so I love the augmented reality navigation system that overlays direction graphics on to the camera's displays, the interior camera that lets me monitor the inside of the car from the MINI app, and my favourite of all – the digital key that means I can use my phone to open and start the car rather than a physical key. There are loads more features that make life with the Aceman easy and more luxurious – I can even get a massage from my seat and I love the different modes the car has that can be chosen to suit your mood. You've got to try Go-Kart Mode that kicks off by playing a 'woo-hoo' sound. One thing I thought I might stress over but really didn't was charging the car. MINI says that the Aceman should go between 231 and 251 miles on a full charge, and that depends on the type of driving you do. When I'm driving around town in stop and start traffic, efficiency is at its best as the brakes send more power to the engine. However, I'm just as impressed with efficiency on the motorway, and with more and more public chargers around and the Aceman's fast charging, getting the battery full again is easier than ever. If there's one problem with the Aceman, it's that it seems to disappear from my driveway a bit too often. But don't worry, security is top notch – it's just my daughter deciding to leave her old MINI behind and take mine for a drive instead. To be fair, I don't blame her – the new Aceman is genuinely one of my favourite cars of the moment. Find out more about the all-electric MINI Aceman
