Three new models, the 1 Series, the X3 and fully-electric Aceman put to test at multi model launch

I travelled over to England last week for the launch of the new BMW X3 and 1 Series.

And also being launched at the same venue was the new MINI Aceman EV, see below, and I managed to grab a quick test drive of each.

There was a choice of 1 Series models, the 120 M Sport or the spicy M135 xDrive so it’s a no brainer as to which I chose.

The M135 is powered by a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbo petrol engine that produces 300bhp and 400Nm of torque so it’s a proper hot-hatch.

Mark Fagelson

And its xDrive all-wheel drive system allows if to scamper from 0-100kph in 4.5secs with a top speed of 249kph.

And when giving it the beans, it sounds the part too as it’s the first 1 Series with quad exhaust tailpipes and Adaptive M Chassis so you can lower the car up to 8mm.

Plus sport steering that also comes as standard too so the handling is sublime, sticking to the road, it feels properly planted when cornering.

Mark Fagelson

My test car was fitted with the optional M Sport Package Pro so it comes with M Sport Brakes and Red Calipers, plus extra tweaks to the interior with more M ggodies like beautiful red and black M-Sport seats.

Heated seats are now standard on the 1 Series as is the BMW Curved dual screens that consists of a 10.25-inch digital display for the driver and a central 10.7-inch infotainment that runs BMW’s latest Operating System 9.

And the whole system runs very smoothly, with no lag, loads of apps, and functions, plus you can even play games.

The new 1 Series starts at €40,330 for the 120 M Sport and €64,740 for M135 xDrive and that’s before you start ticking the option boxes.

Mark Fagelson

Next up was the X3 and I could have been sensible and drove the the 30e xDrive plug-in hybrid that now has an electric range up to 90km, or the X3 20d, but of course I made a bee-line for the most powerful M50, sure why not?

Powered by a 3.0-litre, M TwinPower, straight-six turbo petrol engine it produces 398bhp and 580Nm of torque.

Also running BMW xDrive the X3 M50 will catapult itself down the road at an alarming rate, while making wonderful noises, launching from 0-100kph in just 4.6secs with a top speed of 249kph.

Mark Fagelson

The performance is mighty impressive and there’s also a Sport Boost function for a brief, extra rapid burst of speed.

The M Sport suspension with variable sport steering, M Sport brakes, 20-inch M light-alloy wheels and an M Sport differential integrated into the rear axle all come as standard and all that adds up to excellent handling, grip and driveability from such a big machine.

BMW don’t class it as a SUV, it proper title is a Sports Activity Vehicle, a SAV no less, and now in its fourth generation the X3, like all modern vehicles, it has grown, almost old X5 in size.

Mark Fagelson

It’s a handsome machine though, with M-specific design features like a cool illuminted M kidney grille, M Sport Brakes with Red Calipers, 19-inch M lightweight-alloy wheels and like the M135 xDrive, quad exhaust tailpipes.

Inside there’s heated and air-cooled Sports seats, heated wheel, curved dual screen set-up, Harman Kardon surround sound system and head-up display.

The X3 starts from €69,410 while the X50 will set you back a cool €103,400.

Mark Fagelson

All-new, fully electric MINI Aceman

MINI has introduced another new car to its substantial line-up and it’s called the Aceman.

It’s a mid-size all-electric crossover and sits above the regular MINI and below the MINI Countryman, and like the rest of the family, it’s a good looking car.

The Aceman is available in two output levels — E and SE —with the E being powered by a 42.5kWh battery that drives a 135kW electric motor via the front wheels generating 184bhp and 290Nm of torque.

The Aceman E can accelerate from 0-100kph in 7.9 seconds with a top speed of 159kph and a range up to 308km.

Then if you want to up the ante, the Aceman SE has an increased output of 160kW and a bigger 54.2kWh battery so the range is larger too, up to 405km.

And of course it’s quicker. With 218bhp and 330Nm of torque, the SE is able to sprint from 0-100kph in 7.1secs with a 168kph top speed.

The Aceman’s battery can be charged via 11kW AC. DC fast 75kW charging is available on the Aceman E, while the SE is capable of up to 95kW, so you can go 10-80 per cent in under three minutes.

Being a MINI, it has to deliver that go-kart driving experience and the Aceman does — it even has a special ‘GoKart’ mode that plays computer-generated sounds through the sound system making it even more fun to drive.

Mark Fagelson

There’s also Vivid, Core, Green, Timeless, Balance and Trail, and they are all operated via the large 24cm central OLED screen, with different style graphics to suit each mode.

The Aceman carries around a heavy EV battery.

But the additional weight can actually be an advantage as I discovered on some twisty and bouncy roads as it reassuredly stuck to the road without feeling overly heavy like most electric cars.

The Aceman seats five, has a decent 300-litre boot and drop the rear seats flat for 1,005 litres. With prices starting from €39,065, it’s available to order now.