Mini is bucking the trend in the auto industry by planning to offer more vehicles with manual transmissions for 2021.
The Mini brand has long-been the favorite of buyers looking for a youthful-looking vehicle with a bit of retro styling and go-kart like performance. Now, the brand is making a change to enhance that experience for the 2021 model year.
More manual transmissions!
As of March 2020, production has resumed for Mini Hardtop and Convertible models equipped with millennial anti-theft devices otherwise known as manual transmissions.
(Mini’s 3rd-gen John Cooper Works GP blasts off.)
The Mini Cooper Hardtop two-door will get a millennial anti-theft device for 2021. offers plenty of utility despite its small stature.
These include the following 2021 model year vehicles:
- Mini Cooper two- and four-door hardtop
- Mini Cooper S two- and four-door hardtop
- Mini John Cooper Works two-door hardtop
- Mini Cooper convertible
- Mini Cooper S convertible.
There are some exceptions to the expansion of manuals: John Cooper Works GP, which comes exclusively with an 8-speed Steptronic Sport automatic transmission, designed specifically to handle the car’s 301 horsepower, and the John Cooper Works convertible, which exclusively features a standard 7-Speed Sport Dual-Clutch automatic transmission.
(First Drive: 2019 Mini Cooper Hardtop two-door.)
For the Mini Clubman and Countryman models, manual transmission offerings will be confirmed once 2021 Model Year information for these models is release later this spring, the brand noted.
The John Cooper Works GP is the fastest Mini yet — but will not get a manual transmission for 2021.
This excludes Mini Clubman and Countryman models equipped with Mini’s ALL4, all-wheel drive system, including the new 301-hp John Cooper Works versions. 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.’ said Patrick McKenna, head of Product Planning for Mini USA, in a statement.
(Mini officially goes electric with launch of Cooper SE.)
“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!”