Mini is preparing to unveil the all-new Aceman, but the model has made an early appearance at China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT).

The Aceman looks like a smaller and sportier version of the new Countryman, although its proportions are closer to a small hatchback than an SUV. It follows Mini's latest design language, characterised by the angular shapes of the lighting units, the octagonal grille and the pronounced wings. Yet it retains familiar styling cues.

The photos from the MIIT show the Mini Aceman in both standard and S versions, with some styling differences between them. The top-spec model has more upmarket LED headlights, bronze accents on the skid plates and an S badge on the tailgate. We also see a wide range of designs for the 17-inch to 19-inch alloy wheels, plus other optional features for the flagship JCW (John Cooper Works) trim, including a large rear spoiler and a set of decals.

Mini has already confirmed that the Aceman is 4,075 mm long, 1,754 mm wide and 1,495 mm high, but the documents reveal a wheelbase of 2,606 mm. This means it has 80mm more space between the axles than the Mini Cooper, despite being 217mm longer. Nevertheless, the Aceman keeps a safe distance from the new Countryman, which is a full 354 mm longer.

The Aceman will share its platform with the smaller Mini Cooper Electric. The entry-level model is expected to have a single front-mounted electric motor producing 184hp (135kW) and a 40.7kWh battery pack. The Aceman S, on the other hand, will certainly get the more powerful 218 hp (160 kW) motor and the larger 54.2 kWh battery. The documents from China suggest that the latter will have a limited top speed of 170 km/h. Finally, the JCW trim will bring styling and suspension upgrades without any extra grunt.

The Mini Aceman is expected to make its official debut at the Auto China motor show on 24 April.

Source: Autohome

Евгений Ушаков
Evgenii Ushakov
15 years driving