Why MINI’s Next Big Pivot Could Be a Gas-Powered Aceman

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For years, MINI’s plan was clear: an all-electric Aceman was to be the brand’s next global hit. But cooling EV demand, rising tariffs, and a stalled Oxford upgrade have scrambled the script. Now, MINI may pivot to a new Aceman—one that could be exactly what many buyers have been waiting for.

According to our sources, the answer might be a return to familiar territory—petrol power. And for a lot of buyers, that might be exactly what the Aceman has been missing.

Behind the scenes, our sources tell us that MINI is evaluating a combustion-powered version of the Aceman. It would slot below the Countryman in size, sit tall enough to satisfy crossover cravings, and offer the flexibility MINI needs to keep growing while EV adoption finds its footing again. In other words, it’s a strategic rethink that’s as much about survival as it is about market opportunity.

North America still wants petrol power

Let’s be clear: the EV slowdown doesn’t mean the industry is pivoting away from EVs. But growth has slowed enough that, in the U.S., demand has softened enough that even BMW is trimming its forecasts. Analysts at J.D. Power and Reuters have lowered their growth projections for 2025, and we’ve previously reported that lagging EV interest in North America will keep MINI selling gas-powered cars into the next decade.

And MINI’s actions are matching the message. The brand has quietly walked back its once-firm goal of going all-electric by 2030. Now, leadership says internal combustion models will stick around “well into the 2030s.” The writing’s on the wall: gas isn’t just surviving—it’s still in demand.

The business case for a petrol Aceman

Then there’s the simple economics. Right now, Chinese-built EVs face steep U.S. import tariffs that would push the Aceman’s price far above its intended segment. A petrol-powered version built in Oxford, Leipzig, or even Mexico could avoid those extra costs entirely—and arrive at a price point MINI fans can actually afford.

Product-wise, it also just fits. The Countryman handles the family-size SUV role. The Cooper owns the hatchback lane. A petrol Aceman would land squarely in between: compact, elevated, and likely starting just below the Countryman’s base price. It’s a gap in MINI’s lineup—and one that’s looking increasingly worth filling.

How MINI could engineer it

Now, a quick technical reality check. The current Aceman EV rides on a bespoke skateboard chassis that literally has no space for an engine. That’s a dead end for petrol. But MINI has a workaround: lift the Aceman’s body onto BMW’s flexible FAAR platform—the same one used by the ICE Countryman and BMW X1. If they go that route, not only would Petrol or hybrid options be on the table, so would all wheel drive.

It’s not theoretical, either. BMW has already demonstrated this kind of modular mix-and-match across its global factories, including Oxford, Leipzig, and San Luis Potosí. The architecture is proven, the tooling exists, and the supply chain is ready.

As for engines, MINI doesn’t need to reinvent the wheel. The B48 2.0-liter four—mild-hybrid capable—are already on the shelf and compliant with upcoming emissions standards. If regulations tighten, MINI could even adapt the BMW’s plug-in hybrid setup. MotoringFile has reported that MINI is actively considering bringing the B48 PHEV to the Countryman range.

Where it might be built

So where would this hypothetical petrol Aceman roll off the line? Three plants come into focus. Oxford is the most obvious—home turf, existing ICE lines, and brand cachet. Leipzig is another contender, already building the FAAR-based Countryman and backed by a robust supplier network. A third option, Mexico’s San Luis Potosí, offers cost advantages and (depending on the week) duty-free access to the U.S. and Canada—but would require significant reengineering, since it currently builds rear-wheel-drive CLAAR and soon Neue Klasse products on a completely different platform.

Option	Pros	Cons
Oxford, UK	Brand heritage, existing ICE lines, quick to market	Post-Brexit trade friction with EU
Leipzig, Germany	Shared with Countryman, strong supplier base	Capacity already tight with new Countryman and BMW volumes
San Luis Potosí, Mexico	Duty-free access (depending on the week) to U.S./Canada, lower labor & shipping cost	Plant currently producing rear wheel drive FAAR cars and slated for Neue Klasse EVs—would require ICE re-tooling

Timing

As for when we might see it? Don’t hold your breath just yet. The timeline is vague, but insiders suggest nothing before the 2028—possibly as early as late 2027 if development accelerates. That would align with BMW’s broader platform refresh cycle and give MINI time to react to further shifts in global demand.

What it would mean for MINI fans

If it happens, this petrol Aceman could feel more like a true R60 Countryman or even Clubman successor than anything MINI has built since. With a projected starting price just north of $30,000, it would also give the brand a much-needed entry point below the increasingly pricey Countryman.

The takeaway

Officially, the Aceman remains “electric only.” Unofficially, the writing is on the wall—and it smells like petrol. The market has shifted, and MINI knows it. What it needs now is a sub-Countryman crossover that dealers can sell without having to explain charging networks or tariff charts. BMW’s flexible platforms and global production footprint make a petrol Aceman not just feasible, but increasingly likely.

At this point, betting against it feels riskier than betting on it. Watch this space—things are just starting to heat up.

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