Arabian Drive - The MINI Aceman Concept, the first all-electric crossover model in the new MINI family featuring ground-breaking design and technological innovations, made its first appearance in the Middle East earlier this month at the 11^th Middle East Film & Comicon in Abu Dhabi, the region’s largest pop culture festival.

The all-new Aceman Concept is the first MINI crossover model for the premium small cars segment and presents a vehicle Concept that is striking, with purely electric drive, a clear and pared-back design language that has been dubbed “Charismatic Simplicity,” a new digital interior space experience and materials which use absolutely no leather or chrome.

Merging distinctive features of the brand’s two most successful models, the MINI Cooper and the MINI Countryman - MINI Aceman Concept create a modern interpretation of a crossover that is brimming with agility and a self-confident presence.

Embracing all-electric driving performance and the latest innovations in electric mobility, the MINI Aceman Concept also gets an independent sound design for the first time, providing an authentic background for three new Experience Modes. The Personal Mode allows the user to transfer an image motif of their choice to the OLED display, while the Pop-Up Mode provides the user with eventful navigation and some surprising moments. The Vivid Mode makes every journey more playful, interactive and fun.

The all-new driving experience is matched by the striking upright front of the MINI Aceman Concept, with the central grille completely closed and surrounded by clear surfaces and an octagonal contour. The front grille can now display graphics and animations, while the light green LED contour lighting provides a striking signature.

Featuring surfaces constructed from knitted recycled textile with fresh colour contrasts and a new OLED display as the central interface, the Aceman Concept heralds the beginning of a new design era for MINI while reinforcing the brand’s hallmark interior experience. The new dashboard, reminiscent of a surfboard, floats horizontally in one long beautiful curve and the entire length serves as a stage for animated projections.

Commenting on the MINI Aceman Concept’s maiden appearance in the Middle East, Yann Woisson, Head of MINI Middle East said: “With the all-new MINI Aceman, we are thrilled to bring to the region a glimpse of how MINI is reinventing itself for an all-electric future and what the brand stands for: an electrified driving experience, immersive digital technology and a strong focus on sustainable mobility. We are deeply encouraged by the overwhelming response to the MINI Aceman Concept at the region’s largest pop culture festival, and there is simply no better venue to showcase the progressive credentials of the MINI Aceman Concept, the first MINI to be built on a dedicated electric architecture.”

The MINI Aceman Concept participated at the Middle East Film & Comicon with a “Pokémon Mode” vehicle – an exciting collaboration between two legendary icons to demonstrate entertainment on the road in a never-before-seen immersive experience and underlining how playfulness has always been the lifeblood of MINI.

Inside the specially crafted Pokémon Mode MINI Aceman Concept, the entire interior is taken over by Pokémon, with Pikachu welcoming users from the central OLED display, and visual effects extending all along the dashboard. When fired up, the built-in mobile cinema in the MINI Aceman Concept uses an integrated exterior projector that lets fans enjoy their favourite Pokémon movie.

Returning for the 11th year to celebrate movies, TV, comics, art and gaming in the UAE, the Middle East Film & Comicon offers something for all fans of pop culture, including a gaming arena, an artist alley, and a festival plaza.