The classic proportions of a MINI Cooper were once extrapolated into the Countryman, a crossover utility model that has been in the lineup since its 2011 introduction; and now the British automaker is eyeing to bridge the utility gap once again with the Concept Aceman.

The Aceman is an all-electric sampling into MINI’s future, both with regards to electrification and model lineup. Unfortunately, there are no performance or EV specs out for the Aceman; forgivable, given that it’s a concept for the time being. 

What we do know is that the Aceman sits between the MINI Cooper and Countryman. As such, this four-door crossover measures in at just over 13-feet long, 6-feet wide and 5-feet tall. This makes it a fair bit larger than the MINI, as one would suspect, but only a tad smaller than the Countryman (14-feet long, 6-feet wide, 5-feet tall). There’s enough room to seat five people, and there’s a large rear boot for loading and unloading cargo.

One look at it and you know it’s something not quite from our present day, thanks to the LEDs surrounding the octagonal grille. Finished in “Icy Sunglow Green” and bits of British Racing Green, the bodywork features sharper-than-usual elements, like the headlight surrounds, fenders and side body moldings. Scanning the exterior, you’ll find bits of blue and pinkish-orange sprinkled about. Oh, and the Union Jack roofrack.

The interior is similarly alien to those used to the usual brown or black leather wrapping a traditionally proportioned cabin. First, the seats are finished in an abstract pattern with a mixture of shapes and hues. The dashboard is designed flat, extending the entire width of the front edge-- minus the instrument panel and infotainment system. In fact, the round touchscreen may be one of the few elements that hint at it being a MINI. The classic toggle switch bar has been reinterpreted for the Aceman, but still sits below the touchscreen.

The keen reader may note that the name Aceman is pretty close to MINI’s previous Paceman, a counterpart to the Countryman minus two-doors. It was therefore smaller than the Countryman and offered something a little different for the short 2013-2016 model years it was sold. Beyond sizing, there aren’t too many similarities between the Pace and Ace, but it feels far from a coincidence. Ultimately, they both somewhat slot in between the Cooper and Countryman.

We’re not sure which elements from the Aceman Concept will eventually see its way into a production model, but it has interesting implications for the MINI lineup.