2010 Mini Cooper S Hatchback 2-door 1.6l on 2040-cars

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Mini Aceman spy photos show strong relation to concept

When Mini revealed the Aceman concept earlier this year, the automaker made it clear that it previewed an upcoming model. That production model is what you see here under the camouflage. And it seems the little electric crossover is hewing close to the concept's lines. The overall shape is classic Mini with a two-box layout, floating, contrasting roof and wheels pushed to the corners. It of course has big headlights at the front, and they have the bevelled edges of the concept. We can just make out the edges of a grille panel like on the concept. Of course it's difficult to see, being solid, a result of the car being an EV.  Moving around the car, we find the semi-flush door handles that BMW has come to like. The concept's wide hatch opening and multi-segment LED taillights seem to have made it to production without much change, too. The camouflage makes it hard to tell whether the squared-off contrast fender flares of the concept are sticking around, but considering how much else is true to form, we'd expect them to show up. The Aceman will fit between the new Mini hatchback and the Countryman SUV. Previous spy shots of the Countryman have shown that it's a fair bit longer at the rear than this Aceman. We're expecting it Aceman go into production in 2024, likely with a reveal sometime next year.  Related video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. 2024 Mini Hardtop winter testing footage before unveiling

Mini JCW Paceman vs. BMW M135i in family faceoff

Over the last year, we've had the chance to drive two of the most exciting hatchbacks in the BMW family - the BMW M135i and the Mini Paceman John Cooper Works - but Autocar has managed to get the two corporate cousins together for a head-to-head comparison. Just like our initial impressions of the Paceman JCW, Autocar has little to complain about this new 215-horsepower hatchback... until it begins to factor in the faster, better-mannered and similarly priced M135i.
Despite laying down an extra 100 hp and delivering a 0-60 time that is almost two seconds quicker, the M135i carries the same price tag of 29,535 pounds in the UK; US pricing for the Paceman starts at $36,200, while it still isn't even clear if the US will be getting the M135i. Even more surprising is the fact that the Paceman falls short of the M135i in regards to rear seat and cargo volume, and just barely squeaks out a win in the fuel economy department. Scroll down to watch the BMW versus Mini hot hatch battle.

Mini Convertible will reportedly close its top for the final time in 2024

Mini will cancel the droptop version of the Hardtop after three generations, according to a recent report. The Convertible competes in a shrinking segment of the market, so it's one of the brand's slowest-selling nameplates. Production of the current-generation Convertible (pictured) is scheduled to end in February 2024, Automotive News learned from unnamed supplier sources, and the model will not spawn a direct replacement. Mini hasn't confirmed the report, but it's credible because the firm sold only 4,031 units of the Convertible in the United States, one of the largest droptop markets in the world, in 2019, a 25% drop compared to 2018. Global sales totaled 30,426 last year, the publication reported, a not-insignificant 14% drop compared to 2016's results. Motorists who want a convertible Mini may not be entirely out of luck. While it doesn't sound like the head-turning Superleggera Vision concept unveiled in 2014 will reach production, the BMW-owned brand hasn't given up on the idea of launching a standalone sports car that could arrive as a mid-engined roadster. It would likely be electric, like we previously reported, and it hasn't been approved for production yet. Mini has more pressing issues to deal with. Global sales fell by 4.1% in 2019 as motorists in all markets flock around crossovers. As a remedy, executives confirmed they've delayed the launch of the next-generation Hardtop, which will again wear a retro-inspired design but rely largely on technology to offer motorists a simpler, cleaner-looking interior. In the meantime, the company is reportedly developing a pair of crossovers that will allow it to plant a stake in key segments of the market. One, which could revive the Paceman name, will arrive as an electric model developed jointly with China-based Great Wall Motors and built locally. Possibly named Traveller, the second will be a more conventional SUV aimed largely at the American market and neatly positioned between BMW's X1 and X3 in terms of size. It will ride on the German firm's modular CLAR platform, which underpins cars like the 3 Series. Expanding the range while investing in new technologies, like electrification and autonomy, requires a huge amount of resources. In turn, these expenditures make the Convertible's business case even more challenging. If the report is accurate, the Convertible will stick around for about 3 1/2 more years, so it might receive a handful of updates before it closes its top for the final time.