BMW Group’s premium compact SUV brand Mini has held a unique position in the auto market thanks to its rounded, approachable design paired with go-kart-like driving performance. The new all-electric Mini Aceman, the brand’s first dedicated EV model, is poised to expand its dedicated fan base by offering a fresh alternative.

The Korea Herald got to take the wheel of the Mini Aceman during the German automaker’s launch ceremony for the Mini EV family, which includes the new all-electric Mini Cooper and Mini Countryman, at the BMW Driving Center in Incheon on Thursday.

As the new kid on the block, the Mini Aceman’s position seemed quite clear: occupying the middle ground between the small Mini Cooper and the larger Mini Countryman. Measuring 4,085 millimeters in length, 1,755 mm in width and 1,515 mm in height, the Mini Aceman boasts a slicker silhouette, with a lower and longer profile than typical SUVs.

The polygon headlights, which are a first for the Mini brand, along with a low-set grille with no vertical lines, give a fresh look to the Mini Aceman. The rest of the exterior incorporates elements common to existing Mini vehicles.

The interior is simple and neat, as if the designers tried to get rid of all unnecessary buttons on the dashboard. The Mini Aceman features a circular organic light-emitting display for the center console that resembles the round face of a smartwatch, only much bigger.

The test drive, which was conducted with the more powerful SE powertrain, covered a 40-kilometer course that traversed highways and country roads.

The Mini Aceman SE features an electric motor with a maximum of 218 horsepower and 33.7 kilogram-meters of torque, enabling the electric SUV to reach a speed of 100 kph smoothly and quickly from a standstill. The car had a firm grip of the road even at a very high speed, consistent with the go-kart-like handling of traditional Minis, aided by the brand’s low center of gravity.

As the Mini Aceman accelerated, the subtle singing of the electric motor recalled the sound of a spaceship at light speed in a sci-fi film. The vehicle handled curves adroitly for a sturdy and stable ride.

Loaded with a 54.2 kilowatt-hour battery, the Mini Aceman has a driving range per charge of 312 km according to the Korean standard. It takes about 31 minutes to charge the electric SUV’s battery from 10 percent to 80 percent with fast charging.

The Mini Aceman starts at 49.7 million won ($34,200) for the E powertrain and 58 million won for the SE powertrain, making it the most affordable option among the three electric Mini models.