Munich/Sydney. Australia is known not only for its vast open spaces, venomous snakes, kangaroos and Uluru, but also for major metropolitan centres like Melbourne and Sydney, both of which rank among the world’s leading cities. While Melbourne proudly shows off its modern edge, Sydney manages to embrace contemporary trends without losing sight of its past. British influences, in particular, are ever-present in the city centre of the 5.5‑million-strong metropolis – the perfect backdrop for an extended drive in the MINI Aceman SE.

Located on Australia’s east coast, Sydney is renowned for its exceptional quality of life, the iconic Harbour Bridge with views of the uniquely designed Sydney Opera House, and the gleaming white sands of Bondi Beach.

At just under 4.10 metres long, the MINI Aceman SE stands out among historic sandstone buildings and modern skyscrapers alike. That’s not only due to its striking Blazing Blue paintwork, but also because it has only been on sale in Australia since last year. It neatly complements the local MINI line-up alongside the MINI Cooper and MINI Countryman.

Cruising through the vibrant Darlinghurst neighbourhood, past Hyde Park and the historic barracks, and on towards The Rocks, it becomes clear just how deeply rooted British heritage still is in Sydney. The drive continues past the lush Royal Botanic Garden towards the Sydney Opera House – a familiar sight to many from New Year’s Eve broadcasts around the world. At midnight local time, the shell-shaped landmark sends images of the Harbour Bridge and the year’s first celebrations across the globe.

Sydney Harbour is lively and far more rugged than those of many other global cities. While countless ferries depart from Warrane Cove, another cruise ship is docking at The Squire’s Landing, bringing a fresh wave of visitors into the city. Each day, hundreds of passengers disembark from the mostly white giants of the sea and head into hotels to spend a few more days enjoying Sydney before continuing on to New Zealand or returning to Singapore.

Almost silently, the 160 kW / 218 hp MINI Aceman SE glides through Barangaroo and into the energetic shopping precinct around Market, Bathurst and Kent Streets, with views of the Queen Victoria Building and the charming Town Hall. The city’s many landmarks don’t just pass by outside – they’re also announced inside the car via the circular 24‑centimetre central display.

The compact crossover’s steering is light, impressively direct, and its low centre of gravity makes quick changes of direction genuinely fun. With a maximum torque of 330 Nm available from standstill, the MINI Aceman slots effortlessly into any gap in traffic. Heads turn outside cafés and boutiques not only because of the appealing design and near-silent progress, but also because this kind of car stands out in Sydney.

As Australia’s largest city, Sydney is dominated by big Utes and ruggedized SUVs fitted with winches, chunky tyres, radio antennas and extra lights – essential gear for the unforgiving outback. In the city, however, things are very different. Here, the front-wheel-drive layout, low centre of gravity and firm overall setup shine, delivering plenty of driving enjoyment.

The battery pack mounted in the floor offers a total range of up to 405 kilometres (WLTP). With plans to head out of Sydney into the surrounding region the next day, a full charge is on the agenda. Australia – even in its largest cities – can’t match Europe when it comes to charging infrastructure. Most EV owners charge at home, so there are only a handful of fast chargers available in car parks or at selected service stations.

A short charging stop is made more pleasant with a snack and an espresso before heading south again on the Warringah Freeway (M1) towards the Harbour Bridge. Passing through the ever-busy Chinatown district, the route continues over rougher roads towards the eastern side of the city via Oxford Street, Bondi Junction and Bondi, ending at one of the world’s most famous beaches: Bondi Beach – equally popular with locals and visitors from all over the globe.

City cruising has a positive effect on both efficiency and range, meaning the Aceman, with its 49.2 kWh usable battery capacity, can comfortably cover close to 400 kilometres before the next charge. Anyone planning a longer road trip along Australia’s east coast should not only keep an eye on the many speed cameras, but also be mindful of the sparse fast

charging network. At least heading north towards the Gold Coast, there’s little temptation to speed anyway – despite the country’s vast size and low population density, the limit is firmly set at 110 km/h.

Customers Down Under appreciate the MINI Aceman not just for its design and electric drive. For many, it’s the generous space and everyday practicality that matter most. The latest MINI offers more room than the MINI Cooper, without stepping into MINI Countryman territory in terms of size. And practical as the MINI Aceman SE may be, style certainly isn’t neglected. Comfortable seats with massage function, a head-up display and voice control all come as part of the package. Projectors, for example, cast distinctive lighting graphics in various colours onto the textile dashboard, with colours and ambient lighting changing depending on the selected driving mode. It’s an especially striking sight when taking in evening views of the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House.


BMW Group PressClub Global