Automotive

Mini overloads the senses with fierce-eyed Aceman "electrified go-kart"

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Mini lights up the future with Concept Aceman
Mini/BMW
Mini explores an electric design language that's familiar but still distinct from today's Mini
Mini/BMW
Mini lights up the future with Concept Aceman
Mini/BMW
Mini goes for a wide, horizontal rear-end, supported by the long, flat bumper and corner taillamps
Mini/BMW
The Aceman eyes tie in to the classic Mini rounds but with a focused look all their own
Mini/BMW
The Mini Aceman concept previews an electric crossover of the future; no word on powertrain
Mini/BMW
The Aceman and its digital welcome and "experiences" was definitely designed for the type of guy or gal that wears a jacket like that
Mini/BMW
Why wouldn't you throw your best serious pose for Insta when charging up your Mini?
Mini/BMW
We assume the rack also carries actual things you want on your car roof
Mini/BMW
The rack goes full Union Jack, a theme reiterated throughout the concept
Mini/BMW
The sketch looks a bit bolder and ruggeder
Mini/BMW
The digital panel on the front works as part of the welcoming light show and can flash Union Jack graphics
Mini/BMW
Rather than a flat rear-end, Mini gives the Aceman a ledge-like transition from rear windshield to body
Mini/BMW
The interior lets drivers create projection and sound "experiences" ... which shouldn't be distracting at all
Mini/BMW
The OLED disc serves as infotainment display, graphics projector and instrument panel ... what could go wrong?
Mini/BMW
Mini Aceman concept rear seats
Mini/BMW
Graphics galore!
Mini/BMW
View gallery - 16 images

Mini debuted the new Concept Aceman this week, exploring an electric crossover that will eventually slot between the Cooper and Countryman. If we ignore the cartoonish color scheme and seriously distracting digitization, the concept presents a sharper, bolder look for Mini, with hexagonal headlamps, broadly cut arches over 20-in wheels and big, bold front lettering. A stripped-down, clean-slate leather-free interior with an oversized infotainment discus brings plenty of personality inside.

"The Mini Concept Aceman provides an initial glimpse of a completely new vehicle," Mini brand chief Stefanie Wurst said in this week's announcement. "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."

Mini's take on an "immersive digital experience" seems incredibly silly and superfluous, but maybe we're just getting old and curmudgeonly. For instance, the interior "experience mode" system uses projection and sound to create three specific ambiances. Personal mode lets the driver upload a personal image motif; pop-up mode shows navigation point of interest (POI) suggestions; and vivid mode creates letter-based graphics during traffic stops and charging breaks.

At some point between changing and experiencing those different modes, the driver tries to look ahead, focus on the road and navigate to the destination.

The interior lets drivers create projection and sound "experiences" ... which shouldn't be distracting at all
Mini/BMW

If you think that type of digitized ambiance stays inside the Aceman doors, you're in for a treat (or disappointment). The exterior lights get in on the action with help from exterior speakers, greeting the driver as they approach with a light and sound show that includes everything from a brightening "cloud of light" to a wink from the headlamp. The show continues when the door opens, proceeding with floor projections, a burst of onscreen color on the OLED display and even a "Hey Friend" greeting.

And after all that extraneous driver self-affirmation? Well ... they drive. From point A to B, presumably without snapping a selfie or changing outfits. What powers the car forward remains a mystery, however, since the Aceman is really just a design exercise loaded with pretty colors and lights.

What we can ascertain from the Aceman is the general direction Mini's design language will take in the electric future. Mini calls it "Charismatic Simplicity," and the design has been pared back from even the simplified styling of the all-electric Mini Cooper SE. A large grille defined only by its illuminated green surround sits between a pair of sharp-cornered geometric headlamps that give the concept a chip on its shoulder while still looking familiarly "Mini."

Mini goes for a wide, horizontal rear-end, supported by the long, flat bumper and corner taillamps
Mini/BMW

Additional angles are planted throughout, most noticeably at the wheel arches. Both the rack atop the floating roof and the taillights incorporate the Union Jack, which also appears repeatedly in all that digital light show nonsense.

Inside, Mini stresses simplicity even more, stripping the dashboard down to a sound-bar-inspired door-to-door beam interrupted only by the steering wheel and thin, round OLED infotainment screen. Just below the OLED display, Mini has maintained physical connection with a toggle switchboard for gear selection, drive initiation and audio volume adjustment.

The OLED disc serves as infotainment display, graphics projector and instrument panel ... what could go wrong?
Mini/BMW

In doing away with all leather, Mini has instead trimmed the dashboard in a textile knit that delivers the soft, inviting comfort of a favorite sweater while serving as a screen for the digital projections. The seats explode to life with bold colors atop a multi-textural combination of flat knit, velvet velour and waffle weave. 

Quite fittingly, the Concept Aceman will debut not at an auto show but at the 2022 Gamescom show in Cologne next month. Those itching to dive right into the full Aceman experience can do so in the video below.

Source: Mini

View gallery - 16 images
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4 comments
Larry W
Ugly interior, ridiculous exterior. Mini tries to cover up the specs for the Mini which are distressingly slower than molasses in winter by hyping lighting to over shadow it's poor specs. The EV Mini is slower than both the Cooper S and Cooper JCW and nearly as slow as the Mini base model which is 0 to 60 in 8.1 seconds. That's ridiculous when it could have been made into a virtual 'pocket rocket' by installing an EV drivetrain more like the Mustang or Kia EV6 or Tesla's. Instead, they get a grandma's Mini.
DavidB
@Larry W, even my factory-supercharged ‘03 MINI Cooper S was slower off the line than the ‘14 Fiat 500e that replaced it. The current electric MINI doesn’t appeal to me, but at least it’s not another midsized crossover. My Kona EV reflects a terrific balance of price and features but has about as much personality as a marshmallow.
Unsold
Looks like 2030 to me. Lots of very marketable ideas. Bravo Mini!
14127
On top of being ugly, Mini may ditch the stick shift. Our family has has 4 Minis and our son is a mechanic at the local dealer...but with moves like this, I'll be going to VW or some other manufacturer that offers a stick and nice styling.