Exclusive: MINI is Considering Bringing Back the Manual Transmission

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The manual transmission may not be dead after all. While nothing has been officially decided, MINI USA is actively petitioning to reintroduce the manual transmission to the MINI Cooper lineup. We recently sat down with MINI USA’s outgoing Head of Product Pat McKenna, who shared insights on MINI’s past, present, and future (look for the full interview soon). Perhaps the biggest surprise, however, was learning that MINI USA is leading the effort to bring back the manual.

The process is still ongoing, and there’s no guarantee it will ultimately receive approval. However, the fact that Pat McKenna went on record with us is an encouraging development.

The new F66 MINI Cooper JCW

Why Did MINI Discontinue the Manual in the First Place?

MINI initially explained to MotoringFile that the manual transmission was discontinued due to CO2 emissions regulations in the European Union, specifically because of how the EU tests CO2 output. While manual transmissions can theoretically produce lower emissions than automatics, this depends on how they’re driven. EU tests reveal the inherent variability of manual operation, as it allows for limitless ways to shift gears. By contrast, an automatic transmission can be precisely programmed to stay in sync with the engine, thereby controlling CO2 output consistently. With a manual, however, human input introduces variability that can lead to higher emissions depending on driving style. Given the EU’s testing methods, this variability is amplified, leading regulators to view manuals as producing more CO2 than a well-engineered automatic—even if that might not be the case with optimal driving.

The 2023 MINI Cooper JCW 1to6 edition – supposedly the last manual MINI

After speaking with numerous MINI employees over the past year, it’s clear that this decision wasn’t one they wanted to make.

The decision was especially difficult given the rising popularity of the manual in the U.S. market. By the second half of 2023, over 50% of F56 JCW hardtops in the U.S. were sold with manual transmissions. Dealers report that they’re not just losing sales, but an important group of long-time MINI customers.

If MINI USA receives approval to move forward, this development will undoubtedly be welcome news.

The F66 MINI Cooper would require a center console design to accommodate the shift lever.

How MINI Might Integrate the Manual into the F66

Since the drivetrain is largely unchanged from the previously manual-equipped F56 generation, reintroducing the manual to the F66 shouldn’t be too challenging. MINI could simply source the same 6-speed Getrag manual previously used. However, this doesn’t mean it will be easy. The center console would need to be redesigned to accommodate the gear lever, and the engine electronics would also require recalibration.

When Might the Manual Return?

Given that nothing has been formally approved, any timeline is speculative. If we had to guess, implementing a change like this would likely take a minimum of 18 months after approval. Doing the math, that would mean the manual likely wouldn’t return before mid-2026 at the earliest, pending formal approval.

Nonetheless, this is exciting news for MINI enthusiasts. This effort demonstrates MINI USA’s commitment to listening to customer feedback and acting on it. And this is just one of several changes that could be coming. We’ll share more insights from our interview with Pat McKenna soon.

The post Exclusive: MINI is Considering Bringing Back the Manual Transmission appeared first on MotoringFile.

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