Britain’s Mini is launching its first ever electric crossover – heralding a new green and minimalist image that includes being leather and chrome-free.
The otherwise silent, zero-emissions crossover Mini – expected to perform like ‘an electrified go-kart’, albeit a very beefed up one – will also be the first to get a unique sound to mark it out from other brands and to warn pedestrians of its imminent arrival.
But although it prominently flies the Union Jack, woven prominently into its exterior and interior design, it will be built initially in China, along with the next generation electric three-door Mini hatchback, as part of a new collaboration with Chinese car-maker Great Wall.
A first glimpse of the new electric Mini due in 2024: This is the concept preview for the forthcoming Aceman crossover model
Mini design chiefs have been working closely with British fashion guru and Mini fan Sir Paul Smith to produce new models that will be more minimalist – but with flare and a twist, and a dash of urban edginess and ‘charismatic simplicity’ to appeal to younger buyers.
They say the spare design is in line with the philosophy of the creator in 1959 of the original and much smaller Mini, Sir Alec Issigonis.
The new Mini Aceman is set to go into production from 2024, and will first be built in China as part of the new deal with Great Wall, which was agreed three years ago.
Mini and German parent company BMW sought to allay any fears over the company’s Oxford plant in the UK, by insisting that the expectation is that the new electric crossover and a new battery-powered three-door hatchback will later also be built at the UK factory.
The existing electric three-door electric hatch is currently built alongside other Mini models such as the petrol and diesel three-door hatch, the five-door hatch and the Mini Clubman, at Oxford, which employs around 4,000 people

Bosses at the BMW-owned brand have been very clear that the Aceman crossover is definitely going into production. They say it marks ‘the dawn of a new Mini design era’

It takes its name from the highest playing card in a deck, and continues the Mini pattern of ending in ‘man’ – such as Paceman and Clubman

While there are Union Flags dotted all over the car – including this digital grille design and the LED brake lights – the Aceman will initially be built in China

Production will begin in China for both the Aceman and the next generation electric three-door Mini hatchback. It is part of a new collaboration with Chinese car-maker Great Wall
Although billed as a concept, Mini is clear that the new Aceman crossover is definitely going into production and that it marks ‘the dawn of a new Mini design era’ and is ‘an initial design preview of its future model generation.’
There are funky new features and colours inside and out, accentuated rear wheel arches and a matte green skirt give it a more athletic appearance, and it rides on large 20-inch alloy wheels.
The distinctive roof-rack echoes the UK’s Union Flag design – ‘acknowledging the brand’s British roots’ – as do the rear lights. And when the vehicle is unlocked, the matrix LED lights on the grille surface display a Union Flag graphic.

The otherwise silent, zero-emissions crossover Mini – expected to perform like ‘an electrified go-kart’ – will also be the first to get a unique sound to mark it out from other brands and to warn pedestrians of its imminent arrival

Mini design chiefs have been working closely with British fashion guru and Mini fan Sir Paul Smith to produce new models that will be more minimalist

The Paceman – as you can see here – has plenty of flare and incorporates the Union Flag in the roof rack and even in the dashboard structure. The ‘charismatic simplicity’ of the design is aimed to appeal to younger buyers
The company said: ‘The Mini Concept Aceman is the first all-electric crossover model in the new Mini family.’
It takes its name from the highest playing card in a deck, and continues the Mini pattern of ending in ‘man’ – such as Paceman and Clubman.
In February Mini’s German parent company BMW denied reports in the German media that it planned to sell its Oxford Mini plant to Chinese carmaker Great Wall, with which it already has a joint venture to manufacture a smaller version of the electric Mini from 2023.
BMW insisted at the time that there was ‘no question’ over the future of the plant adding: ‘There are no plans to sell the Mini plant in Oxford.
‘As we move towards becoming an all-electric brand by 2030, Oxford is an integral part of this strategy.’

There are funky new features and colours inside and out, accentuated rear wheel arches and a matte green skirt give it a more athletic appearance, and it rides on large 20-inch alloy wheels

The central grille area is completely closed – being electric with motors there is no traditional engine to cool. Instead, it has a digital panel that can display different images and words

The Aceman will be all-electric, though Mini has not yet revealed details regarding the drivetrain, range or charging times
Earlier, when announcing its partnership with Great Wall in 2019, BMW said that Oxford would ‘remain the heart and home of Mini manufacturing’.
Unveiling the new Aceman crossover, which will have its first public appearance in Cologne at the ‘Gamescon 2022’ computer and video games fair in August, Mini said: ‘It will be all-electric drive, chrome and leather-free, in a completely new design language and with advanced digitalisation.’
Design features on the new Aceman have been reinterpreted to reflect the vehicle’s crossover styling.
The exterior combines Icy Sunglow Green body paint with a roof in traditional metallic British Racing Green, with splashes of neon green to provide depth.
Chrome highlights around the headlights have been removed and the traditional round shape has also been dropped.

Chrome highlights around the headlights have been removed and the traditional round shape has also been dropped

Design features on the new Aceman have been reinterpreted to reflect the vehicle’s crossover styling, which is aimed at younger customers

The exterior combines Icy Sunglow Green body paint with a roof in traditional metallic British Racing Green, with splashes of neon green to provide depth
The central grille area is completely closed – being electric with motors there is no traditional engine to cool.
Soft-touch leather-free surfaces made from knitted recycled textiles and minimal buttons and switches adorn the interior, dominated by a central digital screen.
Mini design chief Oliver Heilmer said: ‘The car’s cockpit is consistently reduced to the bare essentials, just as the designer of the classic Mini had in mind in 1959.
‘Alec Issigonis designed an interior which, in addition to the seats, steering wheel and gear lever, needed nothing more than a central round instrument and toggle switch bar to experience unrivalled driving pleasure’.
He added: ‘We focus on a reduced appearance combined with high-quality materials and friendly colours.’

There have been concerns that BMW’s recent deal with Great Wall could jeopardise the future of Plant Oxford. However, bosses have said the UK factory will ‘remain the heart and home of Mini manufacturing’

Soft-touch leather-free surfaces made from knitted recycled textiles and minimal buttons and switches adorn the interior, dominated by a central digital screen

We’d be impressed to see this design pattern used in the cloth seats of the production model, which is due to arrive in 2024
On plans to give Minis a unique ‘sound’ the company said: ‘The all-electric models of the next generation are also given an independent sound design for the first time, providing emotionally compelling drive sounds and an authentic background.’
Inside, the flat dashboard is styled like a TV soundbar that extends across the entire width of the interior in front of the driver and front passenger seat: ‘Its soft knitted textile surfaces create a modern and homely atmosphere.’
The dashboard is connected via a support structure which also displays the Union Jack pattern.
Inside, the flat dashboard is styled like a TV soundbar that extends across the entire width of the interior in front of the driver and front passenger seat. The dashboard panel is connected via a support structure which also displays different patterns

There’s not a single piece of leather in the car. Even the steering wheel rim is cloth, with recycled materials replacing what would normally be plastic panels

In a day and age when car interiors are often accused of causing unnecessary distraction, Mini’s Aceman cabin certainly has a lot going on that could draw the driver’s eye away from the road

When the car is locked and unlocked, a funky light display is projected onto the floor. Whether this is retained for the production model is yet to be seen
Redesigned toggle switches operate the parking brake, select gears, activate and deactivate the drive, adjust the audio system volume, and select various ‘experience modes’.
Mini said: ‘Each toggle is individually designed as a rotary knob or toggle switch for the most intuitive operation’.
Mini boss Stefanie Wurst said: ‘The Mini Concept Aceman provides an initial glimpse of a completely new vehicle, bridging the space between the Mini Cooper and the Mini Countryman in the model family’s future.
‘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.’
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