July – 16 October

Funky Mini concept model to bridge gap between Cooper and Countryman models

Mini has premiered its Concept Aceman, defined by the UK-based company as its first fully electric crossover model.

Showcasing a new design language and ‘technological innovations that will shape the brand’s future models’, Concept Aceman aims to combine the Mini’s coveted driving pleasure with environmental thinking, as well as a new digital user experience.

The Mini Concept Aceman sports a new frontal design with an octagonal, closed and illuminated grille element, sharp-edged chassis surfaces, an athletic shoulder element and vertically stacked tail-lights.

Mini’s concept model is finished in a new Icy Sunglow Green hue with a contrasting British Racing Green metallic colour used on the roof. To match, the surround on the lower edge of the body work is also finished in a dark green shade, while accents in blue and pink-orange ‘emphasise this vehicle’s lively character’.

The four-door model offers seating for five, with a large cargo area door for easier access to luggage.

Concept Aceman measures 4050mm in length, is 1990mm wide and 1590mm tall.

It boasts strongly contoured wheel arches over 20-inch alloy wheels, a custom roof rack and front and rear valance panels Mini says are styled to ‘mimic underride protection’.

Head of design Oliver Heilmer said the purely electric vehicle concept means the design can again be geared more towards Mini’s traditional basic values, in terms of the principle of using space creatively.

“This creates models that take up little space on the road while offering even more comfort, more versatility, and more emotion on the inside than ever before,” he said.

“In the interior of the Mini Concept Aceman, we have concentrated on a simplistic appearance in combination with premium materials and welcoming colours.

“Digitisation enables us to make do with few operating elements and at the same time maximise the experience in a way that is characteristic of Mini.

“The entire design is all about offering occupants a holistic experience in the interior space.”

That interior space is dominated by what Mini calls a reduced design, with clear contours and carefully executed details.

The dashboard design mimics that of a soundbar, with Mini’s central instrument face set at its centre.

The round OLED display sits above a classic toggle switch bar in a nod to Mini models of yore.

Further, the Mini’s cabin is adorned with minimalistic door panels, a flexible-use central console that reaches into the back, and what Mini calls ‘attractive colour contrasts’ throughout.

The seats feature three-dimensional surfacing achieved by a combination of textile flat knit, velvet velour and waffle weave, an over-dimensional houndstooth pattern and embroidered X and O graphics.

Just like the exterior, the interior is completely free of chrome elements.

Mini says the Concept Aceman aims to foster an emotional connection between the car and its owner by providing a seamless digital operating concept and a holistic user experience consisting of light, movement, interaction and sound.

Sensor-based animation is activated when an owner approaches the car while the central display provides the latest Android-based software, enabling transference of the control system content to the entire dashboard and even onto the door cards.

Mini says the experience may be completely customised to a user’s tastes.

The Mini Concept Aceman will make its public debut at Gamescom 2022 in Cologne on August 23. – Matt Brogan

• Experts say in-car tech is ‘too distracting’ – Page 19

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Palisade rolling into showrooms

Hyundai’s ‘big bopper’ Palisade SUV is rolling into dealerships with pricing for the entry level Elite 3.8 V6 petrol front-wheel drive, FWD, starting at $65,900 plus on-road costs and the 2.2-litre diesel Elite all-wheel drive, AWD, adding $4000.

Top-of-the-range Highlander variants with the same powertrain specifications start from $75,900 plus onroad costs for the petrol FWD and an extra $4000 for the diesel AWD.

The extensively revised ‘new’ Palisade lobs with more imposing styling, augmented safety, an enormous grille and more features across the fourvariant range.

Hyundai is promoting the new Palisade as its ‘premium, high-tech, flagship SUV’ and as such, it gains more kit and significant revisions under the boxy skin, but also scores ‘segment leading’ safety additions and enhanced interior design elements.

Add to that a tempting array of extra tech and luxury features and you get a clearer understanding of the new model range and pricing scale, which is a jump from the outgoing model.

An expanded suite of SmartSense driver assistance and advanced active safety features are listed across the board that incorporate the desirable forward collision-avoidance assist with junction turning function, intelligent speed limit assist, a multi anti-collision braking system, a 3D surround view monitor function, reverse parking collision-avoidance assist and in a first for Hyundai, reverse light guide function.

Hyundai’s pioneering front-centreside airbag also forms part of the extensive safety suite.

For tech heads, there is a 12.3inch full digital instrument cluster and 12.3-inch touchscreen multimedia system standard across the range, designed to enhance user experience.

Additionally, the new Palisade boasts a digital electro-chromatic rearview mirror, Hyundai Bluelink and other Hyundai-first features.

Hyundai Bluelink and accompanying connected car services make it easy to stay connected, with a fiveyear complimentary subscription.

Bluelink enables a swag of safety kit across the board not on the previous model, including automatic collision notification, an SOS emergency call function, natural language serverbased voice control, server-based connected routing navigation and many other features.

Bluelink can also let users connect to their Palisade from anywhere via a smartphone, and make sure it is safe, healthy and ready to go. People can send planned routes from home to their car, receive emergency assistance automatically after an accident and find, check and even remotely lock or start their car with their preferred climate settings.

Hyundai says the two trim levels, Elite and Highlander, are designed to ensure buyers can access a techfocused SUV in a package perfectly matched to their needs and lifestyle.

The 3.8-litre GDi petrol V6 with two-wheel drive is carried over, while the 2.2-litre CRDi turbo-diesel has revised HTRAC all-wheel drive and both engines have a revised eight-speed automatic transmission hooked up.

In terms of appearance, the 2023 Hyundai Palisade has an even more commanding frontal look than the previous model, with an even bigger slatted grille dominating. Called the ‘parametric shield grille’ it is flanked by new vertically stacked LED headlights. Most other body panels are carried over with minor detail changes.

Additionally, Palisade scores premium skid plates and square-shaped exhaust outlets.

Top-of-the-range Highlander steps up standard equipment to new levels for Palisade and now features exclusive design touches including a satin chrome finish grille with matching logo badge and skid plate finishes, new hidden-type turn signals, bodycoloured cladding and exclusive 20inch alloys in a sophisticated 15-spoke turbine design.

Highlander variants also receive exclusive front and rear skid plate designs, a full-width high-mounted LED brake light and a separated hiddentype taillight design.

A selection of nine exterior colours are available.

New features inside include a fullwidth centre air vent, a new fourspoke steering wheel with Highlander-exclusive two-tone premium finish, along with a 12.3-inch Navigation system featuring Bluelink and a 12- speaker Infinity audio, and a 12.3-inch full LCD digital instrument cluster.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade is expected in dealerships early this month. As yet, an ANCAP rating is unavailable on the MY23 update. – Peter Barnwell

OPTIONS: The Palisade can be optioned with a seven or eight-seat layout, the former with two individual captain-type chairs in the middle row as a no cost option.

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