2nd Report: Infotainment issues (again!)
And it was all going so well! Just a couple of weeks after filing the first report, the weather was starting to show signs of Spring, and I had a busy weekend’s driving planned with the Aceman.
Still cold at night, but after being hooked up to my Ohme charger, the result on Saturday was an improved 180-mile range. It might be the weekend, but my Saturday mornings are usually punctuated by various drop-offs and pick-ups for my children. First was an early trip to get my daughter to her drama class, then soon after, a station drop, so my wife could meet some friends in London.
Whenever I’ve been driving other EVs, it’s always fun getting back in this Mini. With its precise steering and keen handling I soon have a smile plastered across my face. I’m also looking forward to trying the incoming, sporty, John Cooper Works range-topper, with 30-odd extra horsepower next month.
The Aceman’s still compact dimensions, and excellent round-view camera, were welcome when parking for a late morning shopping pitstop with my son. Then it’s back to pick up my daughter, and on to a restaurant for a family lunch.
Despite a bit of a workout where the roads allowed, the Mini is liking the sun and temperatures in the plus, as the range is still showing 120 miles when I pull up on my drive in the early evening.
As I thought, Saturday night was cold, because after another night on charge, the Mini’s range is just 150 miles now. Still, it’s more than enough for another day of pick-ups and drop-offs. Biggest test of the weekend, which the Mini only just passes, is getting five of us home from my son’s drama production. As my Mum and children admit that any further than the 14 miles we covered would have been uncomfortable!
It is as we head home fully loaded, that I notice my music isn’t streaming via the central OLED screen, and punchy Harman Kardon sound system. As I prod the screen further, it appears I’ve not got any phone connection either! Despite un-syncing my phone, more prodding doesn’t equal any Bluetooth connection. Previous Cooper experience suggests another software update, but after no luck for a week, it was time to contact the Mini press office.
Anyway, some welcome advice later, I’m pleased to say that after a hard restart of the infotainment, normal service has been resumed. It is just annoying that I’m writing about more infotainment issues with a Mini long-termer!
It is made more disappointing, as we’re enjoying the new sat-nav features fitted to our Sport equipment grade car. Handiest, is that it will display a live feed from the front camera, then overlay digital, AR directions for the road ahead. I had something similar on a Mercedes A-Class long-termer I was running a while back, and it comes into its own when you’re entering or leaving complicated junctions.
As I said above, the temperatures have become less Baltic. I’ve noticed charges in general are back up to the 180-mile range level, although this remains well-short of the 244 miles WLTP figure! Longest trip this month was a 160-mile round trip to Thetford to drive the Abarth 600e. It was a fun drive there and back, but it wouldn’t have been possible without some pre-planned destination charging! I really hope that as the temperatures rise, the Aceman’s range continues to increase. Even getting past 200 miles of range, I would currently consider an achievement!
| Model | Mini Aceman Sport SE |
| P11D price | £39,745 |
| As tested | £42,900 |
| Official range | 244 miles |
| Test consumption | 2.5 miles per/kWh |
| Mileage | 1,520 |
1st Report: Ace in the pack?
Just as our Cooper SE left the fleet, another new Mini joined, in the form of its (slightly) bigger brother – the Aceman. As with the Cooper, Mini kindly offered us the choice of E, or SE versions, plus a variety of different equipment grade options.
Having tried both models, maximum range was a priority, so an SE was a no-brainer. Then, after having what we thought was a ‘classic’ New Mini look with the Cooper, and all the previous Aceman test cars we’ve tried in Exclusive spec, we’ve gone for the more aggressive Sport, in attractive Legend Grey (£550), with all its ‘John Cooper Works’ branding, body kit, wheels, and chunky £42,900 price.
However, it is a bit of a sheep in wolf’s clothing, as apart from the badging, body kit, and wheels, mechanically it’s the same as any other Aceman SE. However, in my opinion, the sporty additions work best with this Mini’s more angular shape. Inside, my kids have welcomed the extra pair of doors, and slightly more rear room. The OLED infotainment system, so far, seems far quicker, and because it’s a Level 3 spec, we get welcome additional Parking Assistant Plus functionality.
With just 450 miles on the clock, its first job was a trip to Gatwick. The Aceman’s efficiency was my only worry for this long-term loan, from previous experience, and its first charge on my Ohme charger gave just a 180-mile range – in temperatures barely above the minus. A careful late-night trip meant a range of 105 miles when we pulled into the airport car park. Not a problem I thought, as home was roughly 80 miles away, so the Mini should make it back without another charge.
Two nights later, plus one delayed flight, resulted in a very late-night drive. It was still cold but sheeting it down with rain as I joined the motorway. So, I stuck to a 60mph limit and just enjoyed my music coming through the punchy standard Harman Kardon system.
I knew things weren’t right when we came to the Dartford Tunnel, as the range had dropped to just over 50 miles, with my home still 42 miles away! Eight miles is no cushion, and sure enough the infotainment introduced the first of its charging stop suggestions just the other side. I should have stopped, but the weather, and time of night saw me reduce my speed further and press on. When I left the M25, I still had 15 miles still to go, but just 19 miles range. This was fast turning into my most stressful EV trip ever. But with my lack of local knowledge of the charging network the car was trying to direct me to, I carried on – just even more slowly.
I eventually pulled off the motorway, a mile from my home just after midnight, with three miles of range left! In the car’s defence, the weather was very cold and wet, and the motorway route was hilly in places. But, getting over 200 miles is a current challenge.
Just after this, I had the chance to compare the Aceman with one of its closest EV rivals – the Alfa Romeo Junior. I liked the Alfa’s exterior styling, and range. But, the Aceman’s interior feels notably more special, and despite the stiffer ride, the Mini is more fun.
After a cold, but busy month, it was time to return the Aceman’s road salt-streaked bodywork to its best, thanks to Autoglym’s new pump sprayer and Polar Blast products. I was very pleased with the results.
I just hope efficiency issues aren’t going to be an ongoing problem with the Mini Aceman, as I’m looking forward to my time with it.
| Model | Mini Aceman Sport SE |
| P11D price | £39,745 |
| As tested | £42,900 |
| Official range | 244 miles |
| Test consumption | 2.2 miles per/kWh |
| Mileage | 910 |
Standard equipment: LED head and tail lights, gloss black roof rails, 18in alloy wheels, MINI OLED display, DAB radio, MINI Driving Modes, two-zone automatic climate control, dynamic cruise control, parking assistant and rear camera, Apple Carplay and Android Auto integration.
Options: Legend Grey metallic paint (£550), 19in John Cooper Works Lap Spoke wheels (£550)
