The MINI Aceman Vs J01 MINI Cooper EV – How Similar Are They?
How does the MINI Aceman EV compare to the J01 MINI Cooper EV? We have an exclusive look at data that paints an interesting picture. Like our recent comparison between the new MINI Aceman EV and the new (and larger) MINI Countryman we dug deep to find dimensions and data points that are’t readily available yet to get a better picture of these two cars. What we found was two cars that were much closer to each other than you might initially realize.
Looking at the specifications, the first thing you realize is that the Aceman is based on a stretched version of the J01 skateboard chassis. That means the J01 MINI Cooper substantially influences the dimensions and mechanical layout of the Aceman. So while the Aceman is 192mm (7.6″) longer and 130mm (5.1″) wider than the new Cooper, it’s only 23mm (1″) wider.
What becomes very obvious the more you look is that the Aceman is truly just a stretched J01 with extra doors and a taller roofline. Another way to look at it is in terms of the F56 family of MINIs. Like the F55 MINI Cooper four door (itself a stretch version of the F56), the J05 is a longer, more spacious J01. Which in turn makes something else pretty obvious – the Aceman is not is a direct replacement for the recently departed and larger Clubman.
The J05 vs the J01 – Mechanical Similarities
Because of this close relationship with the J01 both the battery and the electric motor output are identical. This gives MINI great economies of scale but it also means the J05 has to use power units and batteries designed for a smaller car. Because of this (and the weight penalty that the J05 has over the J01) we expect a lower range and less performance compared to the new Cooper EV.
Another carry over from the J01 the front wheel drive architecture that underpins the J05 Aceman. This is due to the J01 chassis not being designed to offer a two engine layout that would allow for which all wheel drive in an electric vehicles. This engineering choice unfortunately means the Aceman as little if no off-road credentials other than well groomed trails.
One area where there’s a material difference is luggage capacity. As you can see above the Aceman has more than double the capacity with there seats up. That difference decreases slight when the seats are down but it’s still a respectable 1450 liters. How does that compare to the dimensionally similar R60 Countryman? It’s identical with the seats up at 450 liters but the Aceman actually has 280 liters more space with the seats down. Comparing that to the more recent F60 Countryman the Aceman still holds it’s down with an identical luggage figure with the seats up but surprisingly 60 more liters when the seats are folded down. Getting more space out of a smaller footprint is a huge advantage of skateboard chassis EV vehicles as the Aceman proves.
| Models | J01 Cooper E | J01 Cooper SE | J05 Aceman E | J05 Aceman SE |
| Power | 184 hp | 218 hp | 184 hp | 218 hp |
| Torque | 214 lb-ft | 243 lb-ft | 214 lb-ft | 243 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 1 speed | 1 speed | 1 speed | 1 speed |
| 0-60 mph | 7.3 sec | 6.7 sec | TBA | TBA |
| Range | 200 miles | 250 miles | TBA | TBA |
| Length (mm/inches) | 3858 mm / 151.8 in | 3858 mm / 151.8 in | 4079 mm / 161 in | 4079 mm / 161 in |
| Width w/o Mirros (mm/inches) | 1756 mm / 69 in | 1756 mm / 69 in | 1754 mm / 69 in | 1754 mm / 69 in |
| Height (mm) | 1460 mm / 57 in | 1460 mm / 57 in | 1754 mm / 69 in | 1514 mm / 59.6 in |
| Wheelbase (mm) | 2526 mm / 99 in | 2526 mm / 99 in | 2606 mm / 102.6 in | 2606 mm / 102.6 in |
| Curb weight (kg/lbs) | 1540 kg / 3,395 lbs | 1605 kg / 3,538 lbs | 1710 kg / 3,770 lbs | 1710 kg / 3,770 lbs |
| Weight distribution (Front/Rear) | F58% / R 42% | F 57% / R 43% | F 57% / R 43% | F 55.8% / R 44.2% |
| Front Overhang | 746 mm / 29.3 in | 746 mm / 29.3 in | 756 mm / 29.8 in | 756 mm / 29.8 in |
| Rear Overhang | 586 mm / 23 in | 586 mm / 23 in | 717 mm / 28.2 in | 717 mm / 28.2 in |
| Luggage capacity (seats up/seats down | 210 / 800 L | 210 / 800 L | 450 / 1450 L | 450 / 1450 L |
Will the MINI Aceman Coming to the United States and the rest of North America?
One benefit of these similarities is that putting these two vehicles down the same production line is relatively easy. While the MINI Aceman will initially be built in China, we expect it will expand to UK production at the same time as the J01 Cooper in 2026. The cars being produced in the UK will serve Europe and likely the North American markets. This will allow MINI to avoid tariffs as it likely begins US imports in the 2026 calendar year. The key word is likely as sources tell us final decisions on where the Aceman will be sold are still being made.
MINI Aceman – Photo Gallery
I think I said this months ago, but MINI really needs to move Aceman production to North America, preferably Mexico. Not only would this increase profits for BMW/MINI, because of the lower labor costs, but it would also qualify the vehicle for the $7,500 EV point-of-sale rebate.
As much as I love the Cooper, most Americans are going to want at least 4 doors and more space, but not the higher expense of the Countryman. Call it a compact crossover and people will buy it up. Add 4WD and a better range and it’ll take over the market in its class.