MINI Korea Expands EV Lineup with Launch Event in Incheon

MINI Korea presented its full electric lineup this week at the BMW Driving Center on Yeongjong Island, Incheon, highlighting three models — the Cooper, Countryman, and the newly introduced Aceman. The event marked the company’s effort to strengthen its presence in the premium compact EV segment in South Korea, where the brand has been operating since 2005 under the BMW Group.

While the Cooper and Countryman are already familiar to South Korean consumers, the Aceman made its domestic debut during the event. This new model is positioned between the Cooper and Countryman, and unlike the others, it is available exclusively as an electric vehicle. With this addition, MINI Korea now offers a complete electric vehicle portfolio, designed to carry over the brand’s driving characteristics into the EV space.

All three electric models were built with MINI’s hallmark go-kart driving feel in mind. According to the company, this approach allows drivers to continue experiencing dynamic handling and responsiveness, even as the brand transitions into electrification. The latest electric MINI Cooper delivers up to 218 horsepower and accelerates from zero to 100 kilometers per hour in 6.7 seconds. It can drive up to 300 kilometers on a single charge and takes about 30 minutes to reach 80 percent battery level at fast-charging stations. The price starts at 52.5 million won (approximately $36,100) before government subsidies.

The electric MINI Countryman, which was driven from Gimpo, Gyeonggi Province to the BMW Driving Center for the event, offers greater power and performance. With a maximum output of 313 horsepower, it is more responsive compared to the electric Cooper. During the test drive, the vehicle quickly responded to acceleration and deceleration, reflecting the brand’s effort to preserve its identity in an electric format.

The Aceman, which was also available for a test ride between Incheon and Gimpo, carries a stronger MINI identity than the larger Countryman, according to the brand. With a compact body and signature design elements, the vehicle aims to appeal to those seeking both practicality and brand familiarity. It offers a range of 312 kilometers per charge. At the launch, Jeong Seo-eun, Product Manager at MINI Korea, noted that "The Aceman features key upsides of SUVs, such as their sporty image and versatile use, but its compact size allows drivers to enjoy not just city drives, but also leisure activities."

All models in the lineup feature the brand’s iconic circular OLED displays, supplied by Samsung Display. The displays were developed to align with the brand’s user interface approach, combining style and function.

MINI Korea is celebrating its 20th year in the local market, having sold around 126,000 vehicles in South Korea by the end of 2024. The MINI Countryman accounted for over 2,800 units last year alone, marking the highest sales figure in the country’s premium small SUV category.