Icons never die, they just become better with time. That cannot be truer for an iconic brand like Mini.

Effectively under the BMW Group’s stewardship since 1994, Mini has come a long way. If you have been living in a cave for the past 40 years, you may be surprised to see what the brand has now become.

Its cars are now Mini in name but not so much in size. They are also stylish and rather quirky at the same time. A combination which has made Mini cars a must buy, not only as a statement but because of their versatility.

Over the years, Mini has expanded its line-up of models. You don’t only get the iconic Cooper name, instead you get the Cooper S, Cooper John Cooper Works which is the high-performance model.

On top of that, you also get the Countryman, the Paceman, Clubman, Roadster, and many more. Some still live on while others like the Paceman have been discontinued.

The most recent model to join the line-up is the Aceman, and for the first time in Mini’s history, it is only available with an electric powertrain. Other Mini EV’s like the Cooper and Country have been available with either an internal combustion engine, or with an electric drivetrain.

Launched in Malaysia towards the end of last year, the Aceman is quite a special model, and we got to drive it recently.

What’s the background of the Aceman?

Despite popular belief, the Aceman is not a replacement for the Paceman. They might sound similar, but they are two entirely different cars.

While the Paceman was a large coupe, the Aceman is a four-door variant that positions itself as a practical car.

In terms of sizing, it sits smack in between the Cooper SE and the Countryman SE. That makes it perfect for those who find the Cooper too small and the Countryman too big.

It is also priced at RM213,888 which also gets you a two-year, unlimited mileage warranty. But if you are willing to spend RM221,888, you will get a four-year unlimited mileage warranty together with a service package.

In comparison, the Cooper SE is priced at RM200,188 with the full warranty and service package. The Countryman SE on the other hand is priced at RM266,288 with the full package. So the Aceman has carved out a nice little spot in the entire Mini line-up.

The Aceman is also built in China through a joint-venture with Great Wall Motors, though there are plans to build it elsewhere as well to help the BMW group manage hefty import taxes into key markets.

What differentiates it from the rest?

It is more similar to its siblings than different actually. Modern cars carrying the same brand badge tend to do that in the name of cost optimisation. So rather than have a different interior design, lighting design and such, it is easier to have their interiors and other bits look somewhat the same, but with different sizing.

Modern car companies are all about pleasing members of the boardroom and keep buyers coming back because of the brand on the bonnet.

But having said that, the Aceman S is more similar to the Cooper SE than the Countryman.

Despite its bigger size, the Aceman S uses the same electric motors as the Cooper SE, which is not exactly surprising since they are built on the same assembly line.

The key distinguishing factor is of course its size and design, which looks like a watered down version of the bigger Countryman.

The battery packs and electric motors are the same as well.

Step inside, and the same interior greets you, though with a little redesign but the same bits and pieces are all there.

The circular, 9.4-inch oled infotainment screen is shared among the Mini siblings though. This is something that Mini is particularly proud of since it is quite large yet thin at the same time.

It looks good, gives you access to all the car’s information as well as entertainment and navigation. Yet it also doubles as the speedometer with customisable displays. So you can have it look like a 70s Mini, or like a tech laden 2025 model.

What else about the interior?

The seats are from the John Cooper Works models, and that means they look and feel great.

The layout of the dash is great as well, with everything laid out clearly and within easy reach. Quality feels good too.

Overall spaciousness around the front is generous even for taller drivers and passengers, but the same cannot be said about the rear seats.

The rear is cramped while the backrests are too upright. Personally, I would not want to spend too much time in the back seats other than short ten minute trips.

The rear third window does a good job at making the back feel airy though. So the rear might feel tight, but it is far from working on your claustrophobia.

How does it drive?

Like a typical modern Mini. The company is particularly proud of the “go-kart like handling” embedded into each of their cars, which is great if it were a sports car.

But Mini’s have grown to accommodate families, and go-karts have little to none in terms of suspension and absorbers and the Aceman S, like some of the other Minis, has inherited that trait.

So, fortunately or unfortunately (depending which part of the argument you sit on), the ride quality can feel a little stiff.

The 40-profile tyres don’t help either but they definitely make the car look good from the outside.

But comfort aside, the car handles like a dream if you are into cars with sharp and agile handling.

It changes directions on a dime, and you can launch into a corner with little body roll threatening to upset the distribution of grip.

It is a lot of fun, which I guess is what the team at Mini means when they say their cars handle like go-karts.

But the flipside to that is the car tends to reveal where the fat on your body is by jiggling those lose bits on uneven roads.

The rear passengers don’t have it easy either as they are already cramped for space and then have to deal with being thrown around.

But something had to be sacrificed in the pursuit of fun, and that is a small price to pay. And as I said earlier, if it is comfort you want, the Countryman is the Mini to go for.

Let’s get to the technical bits now.

The Aceman S utilises a single, front-mounted electric motor that is also used in the Cooper SE. The motor is juiced by a 49.2kWh battery.

The motor puts out 218PS and 330Nm of torque and catapults the car to 100km/h in 7.1 seconds. It maxes out at 170km/h. Before you frown, electric cars other than a Porsche Taycan are not known for their top speed capabilities.

As for charging, the car takes 11kW of AC charging and 95kW of DC charging. The latter lets the car juice up from 10-80% in just 30 minutes.

Should you put down your hard earned money for one?

It all depends on what you want. If it is something that is stylish, fun and stands out as a testament to your success as well as good taste, then why not? The Aceman S is surely more practical than a Cooper and depending on who you ask, looks better too.

But if you want something comfortable and convenient, then the Countryman SE is worth a look. That costs about RM45,000 more though. So perhaps the Volvo EX30 may be worth a look if it is comfort and convenience that you want.

Specifications
Motor: Single, front-mounted
Power: 218hp
Torque: 330Nm
Battery: 49.2kWh
Charging: 11kW AC/ 95kW DC
Acceleration (0-100kmh): 7.1 seconds
Top speed: 170kmh

We like: Stylish design
We don’t like: Ride quality