Review: The Mini Aceman is a crossover with plenty of character
Mini has long been an icon of unconventional design and spirited engineering in an industry driven by conformity. Over the years, it's given us everything from the delightfully odd Paceman to the quirky Roadster.
These Mini misfits may be gone, but their spirit lives on and this week, we are testing the latest addition to the range — the Aceman, a fresh-faced crossover with all the cheekiness Mini does best.
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RTÉ News
08-08-2025
- RTÉ News
MINI launches upgraded versions of the electric Cooper and Aceman
MINI is introducing new versions of two of its electric models - the Cooper and the Aceman - with enhanced levels of specification. Called Monochrome, the cars will come in a choice of either black or white and have several extras, such as new interior fabric, 17" or 18" wheels, heated front seats, cruise control, driving and parking assistant and a rear view camera. Both cars also have MINI Navigation. head-up display onto the windscreen, wireless phone charging and LED headlights. MINI says the Cooper version can deliver up to 304 km of electric range from its 40.7 kWh battery, and the Aceman can deliver up to 308 km from a slightly bigger 42.5 kWh battery. Both cars can support 75 kWh charging. The usual caveats about claimed ranges apply until we see what the cars deliver in real-world conditions. The Cooper Electric starts at €34,120 and the Aceman at €36,670.
The Irish Sun
20-07-2025
- The Irish Sun
I tracked down my grandfather's Mini after it'd been lost for DECADES – I restored & now it's worth over £12,000
A CLASSIC car enthusiast has shared the heartwarming story of his Morris Mini, a cherished family heirloom that has been passed down through four generations. Jamie Garrett, from Oxfordshire, was recently named a runner-up in Pride of Ownership award for 2025, after showcasing his beautifully restored and much-loved classic car. Advertisement 5 Jamie Garrett's restored Morris Mini is a cherished family heirloom spanning generations Credit: Lancaster Insurance 5 The lost Morris Mini was re-discovered and returned to life as Jamie surprised his father with a stunning restoration Credit: Lancaster Insurance 5 The car has earned the runner-up spot at Lancaster Insurance's Pride of Ownership award Credit: Lancaster Insurance 5 The Mini's shell was restored by a skilled panel expert from the Real Mini Company Credit: Lancaster Insurance 5 Found in 2019, the project took years to complete Credit: Lancaster Insurance Speaking to the classic car experts at Lancaster Insurance , Jamie revealed the iconic little motor was originally purchased by his grandfather in 1965 and became an integral part of the family's life. Indeed, it was used for everything from summer holidays in France and Italy to teaching multiple family members, including Jamie's father, how to drive. The car later served as Jamie's father's work vehicle - before rust claimed it in 1977, rendering it undrivable and leaving it off the road for decades. In 1996, an attempt was made to restore the Mini but the project stalled and the car was eventually given away. Advertisement Read more Motors News For years, it was thought to be lost forever - until Jamie tracked it down in 2019. Against all odds, he bought the car back and embarked on the ambitious task of restoring it to its former glory - despite having no prior experience in car restoration. As expected, Jamie faced numerous challenges, including a failed initial attempt, but his determination never wavered and by working with specialists, including a skilled panel expert from the Real Mini Company, the Mini's shell was brought back to life. Better yet, Jamie decided to keep the restoration project a secret from his father until 2023, when he unveiled the fully restored Mini as a surprise - leaving his father overwhelmed with emotion. Advertisement Most read in Motors Together, they worked on the final touches before taking the car for its first drive to visit Jamie's grandfather, who apparently, when he first saw it, said: 'It was never this good!' Speaking to Lancaster Insurance, Jamie said: 'As a family we are immensely proud of the car, and the story that goes with it makes it even more special and brings joy to everyone that meets her. The first-ever all-electric MINI JCW Aceman 'She will live on as a lasting memory of my grandparents who are now no longer with us.' The motor now serves as both a functional car and a showpiece - regularly appearing at various events. Advertisement Lancaster's Pride of Ownership award, as voted for by classic car enthusiasts, recognises not only craftsmanship and dedication. Yvonne Gosney, the firm's Senior Trading Manager, said: 'The work Jamie has completed on this Mini is nothing short of exceptional, and we congratulate him on his deserving podium position in this year's Pride of Ownership. 'Jamie's Mini is a powerful reminder of how classic car restoration can be about more than just metal - it can bring a family's history back to life.' The Morris Mini has become a favourite among classic car enthusiasts and has risen in price in recent years - with the median price, according to the Advertisement A quick scan through classic car listings, like the ones on
Irish Post
18-07-2025
- Irish Post
Author Marie O'Connor reveals what drives her passion for vintage cars
THE famous racecourse in Ballybrit, Galway, saw a different horsepower grace its surrounds on the 8th of June last. Classic Fest saw a gathering of nearly one-thousand vintage cars come together, making it one of the biggest vintage car festivals in the country. Now in its fourth year, it's easy to see why it has grown from strength to strength. Car owners from the length and breadth of Ireland convened, many with the support of their associated clubs while others turned up individually. The first car I saw there made me laugh and reminisce. It was a 1965 Ford Anglia. My neighbour had one as their functioning car right up to the mid 1980's. I remembered one morning myself and three other children waiting at the bridge for the school bus to come. It didn't. Our kind neighbour came along in her Anglia and drove us and her own two children to the school. What a sight we much have been with endless children clamouring out of this bottomless little car. The teachers must have thought it was the Pied Pipers day off! A Ford Anglia These old cars evoke memories in all of us and there are new ones being made every day by the custodians of these idolised vehicles. But is owning a vintage car beyond the reach of most of us? Not necessarily, according to Matthew Bane from Moycullen, Co. Galway, who is the proud owner of a 1980 Ford Escort Mark II. Coincidentally, 2025 marks the 50th anniversary of this model and they were out in force on this particular day to mark the occasion. Matthew points out that the tax and insurance is relatively low but that storage is key because rust is the enemy. Understandably cars were not made to last forever but keeping them stored in a garage and perhaps covered too can go a long way to prevent the rust setting in. Any sign of it must be treated immediately and a good paint job will benefit this, not to mention keeping the treasured possession looking spick and span. Matthew is also an experienced Panel Beater so he has the knowledge and tools to the service the car himself which of course keeps the costs down. A Mini extravaganza He also stresses the importance of driving them on a weekly basis. Stagnant engines will do your car no favours. But what about us mere mortals who wouldn't know how to get grease under our nails? Some welcome reassurance came from Bernard Joyce from Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo, who had his beautiful twenty-five year old (relatively new!) 'Tahiti blue' Mini on display. It belonged to his late wife who nicknamed it 'Jude'. There are no lost causes here though. Bernard confessed that while he would not have the ability to service the car himself, he is however, a member of the 'Irish Mini Owners Club' whom he praises highly saying; 'If anyone is looking for a part, it goes up on a forum and within twenty-four hours, you can be sure someone will have what you're looking for.' I asked the car owners if Brexit had affected their supply of spare parts, knowing that the UK is a huge source for them. They all agreed that while the parts had become more expensive and took longer to arrive, generally, they didn't feel it was a huge impediment. Of course, it depends on the obscurity of your chosen car. The rarer it is, the harder it will be to find parts, but again reaching out will put you on the right track. In fact all the car enthusiasts were positive about their respective clubs and the vintage car community as a whole. Apart from the practical and technical support, the social aspect can be very fulfilling and builds friendships that lasts as long as the cars and beyond. Needless to say, having a vintage car is a great excuse to get on the open road, see the countryside and meet up with friends old and new while the rest of us stare at them with envy. Seán Casey from Gort, Co. Galway, displayed his fabulous racy Opel Manta which held the best kept secret. When Seán flicked down the visor over the steering wheel it revealed autographs signed upon it from some of the great racing legends, including Austin MacHale and one of my all time heroes, the late Rosemary Smith. The latter Seán recalls meeting at a gala dinner following a racing event in Donegal earlier that day. A memory he treasures, and rightly so. She was a trail blazer. Her victories even harder to overcome at a time when she was competing in a man's sport in a very man's world. I asked some of the attendees what model will be the next celebrated vintage car. The consensus was very varied. Just like Ballybrit, it was an open field with no odds-on favourite. All our modern cars and SUV's, in my opinion, are very similar looking which may be down to developed aerodynamic design and safety protocols and perhaps therein lies our fascination with the diversity of vintage cars. When you consider the uniqueness of the Mini Cooper, the long nose Ford Capri, the square top and tail Lada and the 'Futuristic' DeLorean, is any wonder we are in awe of these past creations. Marie O'Connor's book, Where All Roads Meet The diary of vintage car shows across the country during the summer is currently exploding. The numbers participating prove how rewarding and fulfilling owing a vintage car can be. I for one though sadly do not have a garage. But, I do own a 2016 Citroen Cactus which the manufacturer stopped producing in 2020 so already I feel like I'm driving a classic! And do you know what . . . I love it. Where All Roads Meet by Marie O'Connor is published by Poolbeg. An extract from the book... When an old flame returns from Italy to sweep local married woman Babs Wheatley off her feet, the rug is truly pulled from under her when—just twenty-four hours later—he turns up murdered. Garda Caitlín Kennedy and her colleagues at Ballantur Garda Station are hard-pressed to solve the case with so little to go on. Meanwhile, life in the small Irish village rumbles on—with summer events, presidential visits, and even a cross-country rally complicating matters. As Caitlín juggles her role in the security team for JFK's visit to Galway and her unlikely debut as a rally driver, the murder investigation spirals. With Sergeant Lamb breathing down her neck and tensions rising, Caitlín follows a dangerous lead—one that takes her far from Ballantur to the sun-drenched olive groves of Sicily. See More: Marie O'Connor, Where All Roads Meet
