Mini Concept Aceman EV fits futuristic minimalist interface and “electric driving feel”
What will future all-electric models from Mini look like?
Mini gave its best hint with the reveal of the Concept Aceman, which it said will preview the brand’s design direction and an all-electric crossover in the future.
The form factor itself is interesting. Mini says that the Aceman incorporates some features from the Mini Cooper — currently offered in electric Cooper SE model—And the Mini Countryman to create “a modern interpretation of a crossover.”
Mini Concept Aceman
Of particular note is Aceman’s return to small size – in some respects, but not others. At 159.4 inches long, the Aceman sounds like a subcompact, but its 78.3-inch wide and 62.6-inch tall are no different from what you’d expect for a mid-size crossover or compact. The four-door model seats five, with a large cargo area
Going back to the design itself, it’s vertical at the front, more chiseled overall and flushes out whenever the glass makes contact with the body. The brand claims it “represents the dawn of a new era of Mini design”, driven by the idea of Engaging Simplicity in regards to a “comprehensive user experience of light, movement, interactivity and sound.”
Mini Concept Aceman
Wide, asymmetrical surrounds in the wheel arches around the large 20-inch wheels give the car a bit of a crossover look. “Contour lightning” LEDs provide a light green tint around the edges of the vehicle, while clear surfaces surround the traditional grille area. The British Racing Green roof and rack motif is a take-off on the traditional Union Jack design, the matte green sides act as accents and the grille itself is closed. , with built-in matrix LEDs.
Inside, the Mini Concept Aceman has a minimalist look, with a control panel influenced by the design of the sound bars and a recreated version of the original toggle switch bar under the circular display. Mini says that the user interface has a new graphical display, with widgets on a bright OLED display, and that it is based on an Android Open Source software stack.
Mini Concept Aceman
Mini Concept Aceman
Mini Concept Aceman
There’s no giant full-width screen here. Instead, there’s a novel minimalist solution: Pop-up mode that provides a projection onto the rest of the panel when needed – navigation prompts, for example.
The Aceman’s surfaces are made with knitted recycled textiles, while the model is free of chrome and leather, both of which involve some heavy footprints in the supply chain.
Mini Concept Aceman
Aceman holds a wide range of details that will likely appear in future all-electric Mini models. Currently, it’s essentially an open canvas. Mini has only one all-electric model — the Mini Cooper SE—And it’s essentially a Mini Cooper conversion, with a 114-mile range. The brand recently introduced an open version with a one-time only Cooper SE Convertiblebut Mini has suggested for a few years that there are a whole family of electric crossovers comes from the brand, as gas and electric models coexist until the early 2030s when it will phase out ICE vehicles. As these models show, the brand demonstrated its commitment to that future by convert classic Minis to EVs with the “upgrades on demand” program in the UK.
On the other hand, it’s worth noting that Mini doesn’t reveal any information or hints here about the future Mini EV’s battery, powertrain, or range. That’s all that’s yet to come — perhaps in a different concept.
Mini says that Aceman Concepts will be shown at Gamescom 2022, a computer and video game fair in Cologne, Germany, from August 23 to 28.
