MINI has afforded potential customers a glimpse of its forthcoming Aceman SUV, which is currently undergoing testing in desert environments. Although wearing so-called 'dazzle' camouflage to hide some of its lines, the new model will sit between the new Cooper and Countryman and will get some of the same design cues as the recently revealed Cooper.
Urban space
Measuring 4,075mm long, 1,754mm wide and 1,495mm tall, the new Aceman will sit slap bang in the middle of the new Cooper and Countryman models, offering space for five without needing an enormous footprint. The car is yet to be formally revealed, but images from the car's extreme-climate testing show a lightly disguised vehicle that offers some clues as to the final design.
For starters, the Aceman will get large headlights with a more angular pattern, as seen on the new MINI Countryman, while there's a pronounced shoulder line beneath the windows. And although it isn't especially clear in all images, the lighting in some shots betrays a classically wide MINI grille on the nose. However, given the grille is almost completely covered with camouflage, we're expecting that to be completely fared in for aerodynamic purposes.
Other apparent design features include the roof rails fitted to MINI's test vehicles, and the rounded roof that clearly takes inspiration from the Cooper. MINI appears to have fitted some light body cladding around the wheel arches, and around the sills, to give the Aceman an SUV-like look. At the rear, there are Union Flag taillights and a large tailgate, topped with a small roof spoiler.
Tough conditions
MINI's images of the new Aceman come from the extreme-climate testing programme, which has already concluded its cold-weather testing stage. Having finished the development in wintry conditions north of the Arctic Circle, MINI has moved on to hot desert conditions, where the vehicle is being subjected to temperatures of up to 50 degrees Celsius. MINI says such testing is particularly important for electric vehicles, where the battery is sensitive to temperature and climate control systems, battery cooling and charging, and drive and control devices can all be affected by extreme heat and cold.
Battery included
MINI has confirmed the Aceman will have an all-electric powertrain as standard, with no option of petrol- or diesel-powered alternatives. Although MINI hasn't announced the car's electric motor layout, we are expecting a similar arrangement to the new MINI Cooper, with which it shares underpinnings. But MINI has confirmed a 54.2kWh battery pack will live under the floor, supposedly allowing the brand to package the car more efficiently for maximum passenger and luggage space without increasing the car's footprint too much.
"The all-electric MINI Aceman opens new opportunities for customers who want a smaller crossover than our successful MINI Countryman," said Stefanie Wurst, head of MINI. "The consistent electrification of our product portfolio makes a clear statement about the future of the MINI brand."
The new MINI Aceman is expected to go on sale in Ireland later this year, although pricing is still yet to be announced.