Mini Aceman - I really wanted to love this car BUT... | FIRST DRIVE | 4K

Just got a delivery of a new Aceman and it’s definitely a pretty car with great tech. We have an i3s and iX3

I have seen the Aceman in the flesh and I really like the looks. It unique and a nice change from all the safe designs from other manufacturers. In my view the EV3 isn’t a good looking car.

Truly repulsive. It gives the Nissan Cube a run for its money

Totally agree with the badging thing. Never understood the devaluing of a badge, but they obviously sell to the poser types who want the look. Properly irritated me when I bought my JCW hatch in 2015 that they then had the JCW pack options on things.

I like the car guys, but not in black and not with the JCW styling. I think just the S is good enough and in racing Green looks very cool. I agree with you all, I don't like so much the front lights design. Thanks for the video. 💚👌💨🏁

The concept was better

Prettier than a Camargue or Peugeot 309 or Multipla.

As a mini fan since my mums mini in the 70s and as an owner of two minis of my own, I sooooo want to love this. But I cannot. I’m not really sure what has happened BMW has done such an amazing job since the major relaunch some two decades ago…. But this new range feels it has lost the spirit of mini. However, I’m not giving up yet. Haven’t driven one so I need to make more of an effort. I have a 5 door cooper s and love it. But keen to go electric… watch this space.

Cooper: designed by Peugeot
Countryman: designed by Minecraft
Aceman: designed by Pokémon
How many years untill the next generation? 5 or 6 years?

I'll take a Renault 5

Was the Paceman a big seller? This seems to be in no-mans-land between a standard mini and a Countryman. Who is it for, Goldilocks? Maybe it'll be a big seller, but I'd have kept the Clubman on the roster over this any day of the week.

Well Pete we’ve only gone and ordered a aceman sport , wanted to order the jcw as it was actually cheaper than the sport , however didn’t want to wait till,next august, but luckily there was 4 cars left to go,into production next week in the white we wanted but with the red roof which since the launch of the jcw , is now not available, one thing we’ve learnt since the demo , is the heated seats you mentioned will come on automatically when the temp drops below degrees, there is a lot of automated stuff in these cars ,
Must say the drive we thought was great , nice suspension, a lot smoother than the cooper , quieter than the cooper and pretty nippy , we are going down a size from the previous model countryman not the new countryman. Just got to wait to March now

Awful design decisions

Another useless bland over priced EV, that people don't want to own or want to buy. Full of gimmicky pointless gadgets, just like the rest of the numb to drive and a pain in the arse to own EV's and shock horror motor manufacturers going bust, except the Chinese ones.

Looks plastic and cheap.
But won't be priced cheaply.

No! No! I'm sure it tested well in the focus groups!
Should have keep the Clubman or made a 4 door Paceman.

I love the design. It has a monolithic look, reminiscent of modern BMWs. The rear lines particularly resonate with me. I love its unique aesthetic compared to other modern cars. Its compact size makes it perfect for city driving, especially since I often find myself stuck in traffic. I also appreciate the leather-free interior. It still manages to engage the driver and maintain a sense of driving enjoyment, which is rare in today's EV market.

I did look at the Aceman recently and for me the biggest problem is the cheapest version (E) has an even smaller battery than the SE. The range of the SE is not great but the range of the E is not good at all (186WLTP) , and it is still £31K, which isn't exactly a cheap car given it really is only useful for relatively local journeys (75 miles each way). The lowest trim level SE is £36300 for the classic, which is very close to the "luxury" car tax" (£40K). You have to be very careful not to have too many additional demands, such as a different roof colour (which is only available on Exclusive trim levels), in fact you really need to choose "Melting Silver" and the 17" wheels to avoid the start of the slippery slope options list which will take you over the £40K threshold and incur an extra £400+ a year road tax for the first 5 years (well actually years 2-6). Depreciation and insurance quotes on Electric cars are also a bit wild at the moment so my petrol 2018 Clubman JCW just makes more sense all round really.

I'm pleased I still have a 1962 mini 850cc. This new thing will never survive the time.

The rear legroom looks less than the original classic Mini, lol.
As well as ridiculing the space efficiency these latest BMW minis don't even look like Minis any more.

I think I genuinely hate everything about this car.

"up until now" you had the 5-door MINI . . . . . . . and you can still have it . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Not keen on the car You're in my neck of the woods just outside banbury at the end you said you was lost my mottos are your not lost you just don't know where you are and every road leads to where you are going 😅 I like your garage build videos 👍

Most 6'4" people having to sit in the rear won't necessarily be sitting behind someone that's 6'4". Lol.

Not everyone wants the JCW engine, but they often do want the looks and the brand recognition. Big deal.

As an EV fan, agree with Ped on the EV range and charging capabilities of this 'electric only' car, quite good for 2020, but not for 2024/25. Even if they were trying to hit a certain weight threshold, it feels like BMW could have done more with efficiency/battery density when compared to similar size vehicles. On the plus side it could be a good bargain second hand 3 years time when they come off PCP deals.

I like the video, thank you.

I've driven MINI hatches since 2003, two R53, two R56 brand new from local dealers. It's why I found your Channel. F56 was the start of the rot at MINI imho.
Too big and hit with the ugly stick. Believe thats when BMW brought design in house and out of the UK. If I remember correctly "R" was for Rover. What's F for? 😂I've now reluctantly bought a used low mileage F56, only because I wont be able to keep my R56 going much longer- 225000 miles but it still drives great and interior looks almost new, unlike the French cars I used to drive! Cant see that I'll ever buy a brand new MINI again. Salesman at my local dealer told me sales are slow, I wonder why?
If MINI started selling a brand new R56 again I'd be sleeping in the doorway of my dealership ready for them opening on the morning of launch!

Possibly one of the ugliest cars in recent years, and clearly too expensive.

Absolutely hideous vehicle. Mickey Mouse display, no room in the back, alloys that say kerb me, unbelievable price …… the list goes on Ped. I thought you were very generous in your review ☹️

So, you put a tall guy in a small car, and then spend time on “complaining” about lack of legroom and headspace.
Sorry, you lost me there.

Great review good car but agree with a lot of your comments, cheers 👍

Since 2006 I’ve only had MINI, R53, R56, Two F56, Two F55 and now a F60. Fun and enjoyable to drive.
Unfortunately I feel MINI’s brand new square design language will date very quickly. The Countryman will be my last MINI.

Interesting. The Paceman was a pointless car, and now the Aceman is, especially with that rear legroom and battery tech.

Hmmm No not for me. I have owned MINIs since 2007 and currently have the GP3. I’m sorry but this definitely isn’t a MINI nor is the latest hatch.
Weird shape and quite ugly IMO

Looks about as badly designed as your garage

It looks as bad as the old 5 door and as impractical as the clubman. Nice colour

It's a shame the Aceman isn't the the new Countryman with a petrol engine. It's way more attractive than the new Countryman.

I don't understand why this (and all other EV only cars), which have a horrible gloss black fake grill ?
Surely the car would look a lot more fluent in design, to have it body-coloured.
If there is an ice version too, then yes I get it, save costs as the ice would have an open grill for coolong, but if there is no ice version, why not have the freedom to style the front so it flows with the rest of the car ?
I think this whole thing is vile, front to back, and that's before I even pass opinion on my hatred of EV drivetrains, but each to their own.

Its crap...bring back the Clubman

No, get the new Renault 5 instead..🤩

As a Countryman 2018 owner, former several BMW’s owner. I don’t get the latest models. I’m not tempted to buy something new.. I like the former generations in both Mini and BMW way more. And that’s probably what I’ll get. These new screens, interior designs and all those awful large flimsy thin piano black plastic panels that they put in exaggerated sizes front and back as “diffusers” and “grills”. And now they smear them out on the wheel arches as well.. it’s awful! Not to mention the textile design and placement where they stick it. Even the Works version of the latest Countryman has lost it. Having not the real Works myself, it’s full works interior and exterior - and this still looks very very good after all these years. I’m still a big fan of that interior, every time I get into the car it makes me smile.

Awful car

Not a fan of this mini. It’s got some interesting things about it but not in a fantastic way. Definitely would love a ice countrymen or clubman some day

Just vile!

Such a shame they dropped the Clubman for this. I like this new interior though!

Last 4 car have been minis still got the countryman and was hoping to go to electric with one . This wont happen because of the looks and lack of control buttons. So far it looking like the new Renault 5 or kia .Wouldn’t have said that. A few years ago.

Totally agree about that JCW branding and other manufacturers doing the same thing with R line, S line etc. totally wrong and devalues the brand

Had a F56 JCW and these new Minis look fugly in comparison. BMW really fugged up with all these new designs. Can't see myself going back to a Mini anytime in the near future.

Hi Ped
😥😥😥😥I think for the first time I find it impossible to say anything positive about this car. Sad to think this wears a Mini badge.