“With standard manual transmissions now available on a range of 2021 MINI models, we like to say that when you buy two pedals you get one free,” said MINI USA product planning head Patrick McKenna.
The manual transmission makes a return to the US MINI line-up after a brief delay in availability during the 2020 model year.
As of March, production has resumed for the British/German carmaker's Hardtop and Convertible models which will be designated with manual transmissions.
These include the MINI Cooper 2-door Hardtop, Cooper 4-door Hardtop, Cooper S 2-door Hardtop, Cooper S 4-door Hardtop, MINI John Cooper Works 2-door Hardtop, Cooper Convertible and Cooper S Convertible.
The exceptions, however, include the high-performance MINI John Cooper Works GP, which comes exclusively with an eight-speed Steptronic Sport automatic transmission to manage its 301hp.
Also included is the MINI John Cooper Works Convertible which only comes with a standard seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.
As for the Clubman and Countryman models, manual transmission offerings will be confirmed at a later point in the year and will be excluded from the ALL4 all-wheel-drive system offerings as well as the new 301hp John Cooper Works versions.
Instead, these models will continue to be offered exclusively with standard automatic transmissions.
"Fun to Drive is the number one reason why customers choose to purchase a MINI, and many of them enjoy the experience of driving a MINI with a manual transmission," added McKenna.
