MINI Aceman Concept Foreshadows Super-Cool EV Crossover
The new MINI EV concept we’ve been promised for 2022 made its debut on Tuesday night. It’s called Aceman (not to be confused with the late Paceman) and it looks more like a design study than a pre-production model.
This cool and colourful crossover presents a new design language and many technological innovations that will shape the brand’s future model generations.
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“The MINI Concept Aceman provides a glimpse of a completely new vehicle, bridging the space between the MINI Cooper and the MINI Countryman in the future of the model family,” said Stefanie Wurst, Head of MINI. “This concept car reflects how MINI is reinventing itself for its all-electric future and what the brand stands for: an electrified go-kart feel, an immersive digital experience and a strong focus on a minimal environmental footprint.”
“Charismatic Simplicity”
That’s how MINI describes the design language of the Aceman concept, which by the way uses no leather or chrome elements anywhere. The front section makes a big statement with an octagonal, closed and illuminated radiator grille element. There are sharp lines all around and vertically arranged taillights in the rear, the latter once again sporting the Union Jack motif.
The same can be said about the unique rack system mounted atop the British Racing Green roof. Other SUV-like features include a rugged stance with plastic cladding around the wheel arches and on the lower body. The bodywork comes in the colour Icy Sunglow Green, a bright turquoise shade, while accents in blue, dark green and pink-orange emphasize the vehicle’s lively character.
Putting on a Show
MINI did not provide any clues about the powertrain. The only specs we have are the exterior length of 4.05 metres, width of 1.99 metres and height of 1.59 metres. Oh, and those fancy wheels are 20 inches in size.
As the driver approaches the vehicle, the MINI Companion, a sensor-based animation, delivers a welcome scenario consisting of light effects and sound, that is continued in the interior space after the doors are opened. The cabin accommodates five people and the trunk is said to be large—by MINI standards, of course.
The dashboard, as a flat design element in the style of a soundbar, extends over the entire width of the interior, while the central instrument is designed for the first time as a completely round OLED display. The classic toggle switch bar is arranged below and is reinterpreted in terms of both design and functionality.
The user interface on the central instrument also features a completely new graphic display, a modern layout and attractively designed widgets. Powered by the latest generation of the MINI Operating System, which is built on an Android Open Source Project (AOSP) software stack, the display area extends beyond the central interface. Moving image projections can transfer the control system content to the entire dashboard and even the door panels, creating a unique digital experience.
The seats feature an intricate combination of sustainable materials, colours and textures. You could probably spend long minutes just looking at them and marvelling at the details. Furthermore, new experience modes including Pop-up and Vivid offer additional options for customization.
The MINI Aceman concept is set to make its public debut at the gamescom computer and video games fair in Cologne, Germany from August 23-28, 2022. The company will later release more information about its future EV strategy, so stay tuned.