Mini, which has a small, roundish exterior but the unexpected element of a firm ride, is a brand whose name itself has become a proper noun. About 130,000 units have been sold in Korea over the past 20 years. It has a clear base of enthusiasts.
Mini, aiming for a fresh leap last year, launched three electric vehicles (Mini Cooper, Aceman, Countryman). Among them, I test-drove the Mini Aceman SE Favoured trim, released as the brand's first pure electric vehicle and sized between the Mini Cooper and Mini Countryman, over an approximately 80-kilometer route around the capital area.
The Mini Aceman is classified as a small electric SUV. It measures 4,085 millimeters long, 1,755 millimeters wide, 1,515 millimeters high, with a 2,605-millimeter wheelbase (distance between front and rear axles). For a small SUV, it feels low and long.
In fact, it is smaller in every dimension than Hyundai Motor's small SUV Kona, but larger in all but height than the Casper Electric in the same class. Compared within Mini, it is bigger than the Cooper and smaller than the Countryman.
On the exterior, the front LED headlights are designed in an octagonal shape. However, the car maintains rounded lines without sharp edges throughout, keeping Mini's signature design feel intact.
Also, by moving the rear license plate position of all models, including the Mini Aceman, down below the trunk, the overall design feels cleaner and more balanced than the previous generation.
The driver's seat had a low, firm seating feel. The test car was the Aceman SE Favoured trim, equipped with JCW sport seats.
What catches the eye is the large, centrally mounted 240-millimeter circular OLED display on the dashboard.
It shows various information such as driving data and navigation, and also includes functions for vehicle operations like changing driving modes (Experience) and features such as games. Thanks to this, physical buttons such as the gear selector, hazard lights, and start have been minimized to 10, keeping things tidy.
The driving feel was lively. Thanks to its nimble responses, it remains fun to drive even as an EV. I expected it to differ from an internal combustion model, but it retained Mini's signature driving character.
Switching the driving mode to Go-Kart in particular amplified the sensation. The car surged forward, and the acceleration sound audible only inside enhanced the driving fun.
The display also changed to a speedometer, shifting the mood. In terms of power, maximum output is 218 horsepower, and maximum torque, which dictates acceleration, is 33.7 kg·m. It takes 7.1 seconds to reach 100 kilometers per hour from a standstill.
The Mini Aceman offers eight driving modes in total, including Go-Kart. Of those directly related to driving, Go-Kart and Green stand out. Green is the same as the ECO mode that aids efficient driving. Switching to Green at the start of the test drive increased the available range by about 5 kilometers.
Vivid changed the interior lighting when music was on, and Balance mode automatically adjusted the panoramic glass roof and made the cabin quieter.
The ride quality is likely to split opinion. Despite being an EV, it delivers a firm, kart-like driving feel. Road surface imperfections are transmitted with little filtering, and the body moves up and down, far from comfortable.
Because the sport seats hold the body, it may not feel overly uncomfortable, but drivers who prefer a cushy ride may hesitate to buy.
Sitting in the second row, there was about a fist's width of space in front of the knees. Trunk capacity is 300 liters. Folding the second row increases it to 1,005 liters. Without folding the second row, loading a golf bag is not possible.
When I received the car, the display showed an available range of 323 kilometers (certified range 312 kilometers). It was minus 6 degrees that day, and over an 8.1-kilometer section to Dongdaemun District, the available range dropped sharply.
With the heater set to 23 C and the steering wheel heater on, the available range had decreased to 285 kilometers upon arrival. After driving 40 kilometers, including highway sections, it fell to 190 kilometers. The Mini Aceman is equipped with a 54.2-kWh lithium-ion battery.
On the move, driver assistance features such as adaptive cruise control (ACC) operated at precise moments. Blind-spot warning, lane departure/change alerts, and steering intervention functions also worked adequately.
This model also has adaptive regenerative braking, which adjusts regeneration strength based on the distance to the vehicle ahead. If you dislike regeneration, you can adjust the strength across three levels, from low to strong. It also includes parking assist and reverse assist.
The Mini Aceman comes in four trims. Classic starts at 49.7 million won, SE Favoured at 58 million won, SE at 58.6 million won, and JCW Aceman at 62.5 million won.