It seems to lean closer to the Cooper than the Countryman

Like the rest of the Fab Four, drummer Ringo Starr of English rock band The Beatles had a customized Mini Cooper in the 1960s.

- Lee Nian Tjoe

Like the rest of the Fab Four, drummer Ringo Starr of English rock band The Beatles had a customized Mini Cooper in the 1960s. Modified by a specialist, his Mini was converted into a three-seater to make room for his drum kit.

Do you suppose Starr, who turns 85 in July, still has any need to move large items around? And if he does, will he use a Mini or just call for a Lalamove?

I find my thoughts wandering more than usual when trying to figure out what the Mini Aceman is about. Until this model came along, the modern Mini line-up has generally been easy to understand.

The first choice for Mini fans has to be the Cooper. Whether in five-door or convertible form, this is the one that comes to mind. It is very deliberately built to be fun to drive.

Then there is the Countryman. In its latest form, the sport utility vehicle is a commodious thing that is rugged enough to withstand the use - or abuse - of families with children and "furkids".

The Aceman seems to be somewhere in the middle, leaning closer to the Cooper than the Countryman.

It certainly looks like a modern Mini, although it has a more chiselled design than that of the latest Cooper hatchback, which has softer, curvier features. The unpainted and angular wheel arch extensions with faux bash plates sticking out from under the bumpers hint at the sort of ruggedness to qualify the Aceman as a crossover.

As seen on the other Mini models, the Aceman puts up a show with its LED lights when unlocked. The exterior light signature can also be changed from inside the cabin.