The J05 MINI Aceman Vs J01 MINI Cooper EV Are Almost the Same Car
The new J05 MINI Aceman and J01 MINI Cooper may not look that similar on the surface. But looking deeper these two cars are extraordinarily similar in tech and even in some dimensions. We have an exclusive look at data that paints an interesting picture of incredible similarities and a few key differences.
Looking at the specifications, the first thing you realize is that the Aceman is based on a stretched version of the J01 skateboard chassis. First off that means we’ll see identical technical specs (more on that later) and an exclusively front wheel drive product line. Because of this, 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″) taller 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.
| 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 |
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.
Inside the J05 Aceman will be leverage the J01 Cooper’s interior layout in its entirety. That means we’ll see the seats and exact center stack design from the J01 and not the larger center stack from the Countryman. This will include the J01’s seat mounted armrest, slimmer center console and more horizontal smartphone charging area.
Will the MINI Aceman Come 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.
So the Aceman is to the Cooper, as the Chevy Bolt EUV is to the Chevy Bolt. Same drive train and battery size, but more leg room and cargo space.
It’s a shame it can’t be AWD, but that would obviously cut into the Countryman’s sales, which MINI clearly has higher margins on.
As much as I want the new Cooper SE to come to the States, the Aceman is more practical because it’s a 5-door vehicle. I don’t know too many Americans buying coupes these days, unless it’s a super expensive sports car.
Since these two vehicles aren’t being built in the UK until 2026 maybe they’ll make some changes over the next couple of years. Electric motors and batteries are advancing all the time, unlike internal combustion engines and gasoline. I’d love to see an off-road AWD version of the Aceman.
“I don’t know too many Americans buying coupes these days, unless it’s a super expensive sports car.”
The problem with the American market, is Americans are upsold on size and safety theater and features they 99% of the time never use. Of the 100+ SUVs and pickup trucks in the parking lot of my office building….I know of precisely one guy who ever tows anything or going camping with it. Of all those high-ground-clearance vehicles, none are ever driven on a dirt or gravel road. And by their users own admission, the most people move in them is driving themselves and their kids to work and school…and maybe buying a weeks worth of groceries at Walmart on the way home. Which even a 5-door cooper could do.
So why do they buy them?
Lots of those drivers…buy top-heavy SUV/truck vehicles that easily flip in a car crash for one single reason….they complain of truck headlights in their eyes in normal sedans and coupes–so they buy a tall SUV (or truck) themselves just to sit up higher and become ‘that guy’ blinding everyone instead of being blinded.
Which brings us back to the Aceman, built on the same platform as the Cooper….It’ll be a tough sell, here. Because the main reason people buy light-trucks is to sit higher and not be blinded by truck headlights.