Mini has given a first look at how its next electric crossover will look with the Aceman concept car.

Scheduled to hit showrooms in 2024, the production version will sit between the Mini Hatch and the mid-size Countryman.

As is so often the case with concept cars these days, although Mini is presenting the Aceman as a concept, it’s unlikely to be too far removed in reality from the car that will go on sale in two years. Mini insiders suggest the concept is 80% of the production model’s appearance.

Built on a stretched version of the all-new Spotlight Architecture, which is being jointly developed by BMW and Chinese partner company Great Wall, the base structure will also – perhaps unsurprisingly – form the basis of the new electric Mini Sedan. generation.

In the copious volume of words that accompanied these new images, Mini nowhere gives a hint or indication as to the likely battery sizes or range of the production version of Aceman. But… we do know that the new electric Mini hatchback, which as mentioned shares the same Spotlight architecture, will be available as a Cooper, delivering 181hp and with a 40kWh battery and a range of around 190 miles. There will also be a 221 hp Cooper S. Fitted with a 50kWh battery, it will have a full charge range of around 250 miles. Expect the production version of the Aceman to reflect those numbers very closely.

It’s worth mentioning, of course, that the Aceman name is eerily similar to that of the short-lived Paceman, the small three-door Mini SUV that was cut in 2016 and given a whole new place in the brand’s lineup. This will be created as a result of Mini’s repositioning of the Countryman, which in turn will increase in size in its next generation extending to around 4,500mm in length.

At just over 4050mm long, 1990mm wide and 1590mm tall, the Aceman will be slightly smaller than the outgoing Countryman and upcoming Smart #1, which it is likely to compete with. The newcomer however, as is the case with this concept, will fully maximize the packaging to improve the space inside despite its relatively compact footprint.

It’s clear from the information Mini has released regarding the Aceman concept, that it’s initially focused on educating future buyers on where the brand’s design language should go, rather than releasing a slew of details. techniques.

“The purely electric vehicle concept means that the design can again be oriented more towards the traditional core values ​​of Mini, in terms of the principle of creative use of space,” explained Oliver Heilmer, Head of Mini Design. “This creates models that take up little space on the road while offering even more comfort, more versatility and more emotion inside than ever before.”

With its short overhangs, the Aceman concept — which has four doors, a large tailgate and seating for five people — creates the maximum amount of space for occupants and luggage, with minimal surface area. Externally, there are notable advancements in Mini design. The Aceman sees the Mini’s large chrome headlights visually scaled down significantly. Instead, the front-end is now defined by an LED outline. Look closely and you’ll also notice that the outer edge of the Aceman’s grille represents a very slender “doff of the cap” to the brand’s roots.

While the rear is dominated by the large tailgate and the spoiler, there is also a glass roof without reinforcement bars. It’s possible this will carry over to the production model if Mini uses the battery as a structural part of the chassis. Let’s see. That glass roof also perfectly displays a really neat feature of the concept: a roof rack whose structure, when mounted on the diagonal roof bars of the Aceman, references the Union flag. Very clever. And again, there’s a strong possibility that it will appear in production form.

Elsewhere, the Union Flag appears throughout the car. it is partially illuminated in the grille; it was designed into the taillight clusters of the Aceman; it was stamped into the moldings of the wheel arch and there are two behind the minimalist dashboard. Inside, the cabin is supposed to show mostly that of the production model…although I’d suggest getting rid of some of the goofy upholstery. Or is it just me? Spacey – thanks to the bespoke EV platform, and roomier than today’s five-door hatch and Clubman – the rather bare cabin is dominated by a single circular OLED touchscreen with a small rocker bar in below. Within the rocker bar is a small strip of switches where the gear selector, riding modes, parking brake and volume control buttons are located. There is also a power rocker interpreted as a modern turnkey take on the original.

The concept also includes three “experience modes”. These can be used to set the theme for the infotainment unit and the entire dashboard. Toggling one of the modes allows the infotainment to extend beyond the main screen and project across the entire dashboard. Perhaps unsurprising then that the car’s conventional official unveiling was thrown out the window. Forget any potential debut at a car show. Oh no. Instead, the Aceman will be revealed at a gaming convention, Gamescom 2022 in Cologne next month. We should then expect to see the production version towards the end of 2023, before going on sale in 2024.