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Autoweek.nl (the Dutch publication, not the US one) has a few new details on the upcoming automatic MINI Cooper S. Here's a translated excerpt:
The MINI Cooper S with automatic transmission will be Introduced at the Detroit auto show in early January. While the One and Cooper use a CVT, the Cooper S utilizes a six speed Steptronic.
The six speed Steptronic transmission has very short shifting times, less than a quarter of a second. The transmission also uses less parts than is common with these transmissions and is therefore smaller and lighter than most.
The Cooper S with the automatic transmission reaches a top speed of 220 km/h which is 2 km/h less than the manual. The dash to 100km/h (0-62mph) takes 7.9 seconds, compared to 7.2 for the manual.
Shipping starts in January for the US and february for Europe.
You can read the entire article (in Dutch of course) here.
As noted previously (and seen in the above photo) the transmission will feature steptronic paddles that allow manual override of gear selection. However this is strictly a typical automatic and has nothing in common to the more sporty BMW SMG or VW DSG type of transmissions.
And for those who just can't get enough information on this automatic the MINI will be using the Aisin-AW TF-61SN 6-speed transmission also found in the Audi TT and other VW products. Interestingly Aisin also makes the 6-speed automatic for the new Porsche 911. It would also appear that 28% of Aisin is owned by Toyota
