MINI's Funkiest Model Yet, the Aceman EV, Trades Trippy Camo for a Simpler One

Don't know what an Aceman is? That would be the name used on a concept car that debuted mid-2022. MINI said back then that the study offered a glimpse into its future design language, yet little did enthusiasts know that it also served as a preview for a production model.

That car, which will likely retain the Aceman moniker, was then captured in prototype form last summer, with our man with the cam capturing a tester that featured a very funky wrap meant to keep most of its design traits a secret. Fast forward to this week, and another prototype became the focus of the camera lens.

Featuring a more traditional (for the BMW Group-owned brand) camouflage, this tester has the same face as the previously scooped prototype, up to a point. You see, stuff such as the headlamps, nose, and hood may be identical, but the front bumper was different, sporting a fresh central air intake.

At the opposite end, we can see a cleaner bumper design that still has a recessed area in the middle, right below the tailgate, for the license plate. The positioning of the reflectors seems to be permanent, and we can also look at the new taillights that have Union Jack graphics.

The roof-mounted spoiler is a bit less pronounced, the wheels are different, and this prototype seems to have a bit more ground clearance compared to the previous one, suggesting the company's engineers have tweaked the chassis in the meantime, alongside perhaps other components that are not visible in these spy shots.

We have yet to see the MINI Aceman's interior fully, yet once the wraps start coming off, it should reveal a familiar layout. We expect it to pack a round infotainment system, complete with the automaker's new personal assistant named Spike. This will be a feature on deck most MINIs in the near future, and if you forgot, it was the Aceman Concept that first had it.

It is unknown how much power the production variant will have and what its targeted range will be, but in all likelihood, it will hit the market in multiple configurations, maybe with single motors in the lesser flavors and dual motors in the upper-spec variants. The Aceman is understood to use an architecture developed by the BMW Group and Great Wall, and it will become the foundation stone of additional models in the future, a move that will help keep the development and production costs in check, resulting in more affordable vehicles.