More Info on the MCS Automatic

Sections: Uncategorized Dec 2nd, 2004 24 Comments

mini

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

[ Recent articles on the MCS Automatic ]

Written By: MF Staff

http://www.gbmini.net Ian C.

10% dent in the 0-60 times; that's Quite a dent!
SuperCharged

I personally think that the MCS is just not the kind of car you should buy with an automatic transmission.
Jason

yes, that's been covered. thanks, and while i personally agree with you, people obviously have their own personal, valid reasons for wanting an automatic or MINI wouldn't have bothered developing one. moving on…
http://motoringfile.com Gabe

Amen Jason.
Allan

My brother wants a MCS, but hates manual transmissions. He thinks its too much of a hassel in stop and go traffic jams. I, on the other hand, can't get enough of shifting. Maybe my brother will get one as soon as auto is available.
Sean

My '05 MCS is on its way with steptronic (I can't wait!) Although having a stick shift is great, living in San Francisco includes many traffic jams and twice as many hills.The best of both worlds is my call on the steptronic. Thank you Mini for another great option!
http://www.casazucchero.com David Z.

I to am waiting for my 05 “S” to arrive (Feb???). I had a hard time deciding between the manual vs automatic. I grew up on manuals and truly love them. The roads in the Pacific Northwest are custom made for manual transmissions. But, where I live now, in the greater Chicagoland area, I have 38 stoplights between home and work…One way! Plus, the only curves that I get to take with any regularity are getting on or off the interstates that have cloverleafs. February can't get here soon enough. One question though… I wonder what the 0-60 times would be in Steptronic mode?
http://motoringfile.com Gabe

Typically the benefit with manually controlled automatics don't rear their heads in 0-60 times. The real benefit lies in the mid-range power. Specifically passing situations where you can quickly select the proper gear and gain some needed power instead of just hitting the pedal and hoping.
http://www.casazucchero.com David Z.

Looks like I will be getting an aftermarket CAI and exhaust to try and make up those 7 tenths! Any suggestions on those two combinations(brand names)?
acetonic

I doubt that 1% of MCS owners can even get close to that 7.2 sec 0-60 time with the 6-speed. People just don't get those times without some real skill and training, which the people driving when they measure those times have in spades. I'm betting the auto owners will be leaving most of their manual shifting brethren in the dust. Anyway, a 'real' sport car has a crank starter. Those fancy electric starters take all the skill and enjoyment out of the experience! =P
Lee J.

I must disagree, Acetonic: Only wimps have cranking handles on their sports cars. We purists push start our cars, thereby saving weight. It demands a higher level of skill, too, because you learn never to stall your car at a stoplight… particularly on an uphill.
http://http:www.in2guitar.com 2nd Mini

Especially if they have Lucas Electrics…
Scott

I waited for the 2005's because I know why the English drink warm beer. If you don't know, email me.
http://www.conceptualtechnology.com/usa Theo

In my opinion, the appeal of the MINI can be experienced on MULTIPLE LEVELS! It really doesn't matter if your Paddy Hopkirk or Trot Nixon as long as you ENJOY the experience!

For those of us who thrive in discussing/experiencing 0-60 times, tenths and hundredths of seconds, cornering Gs, and all that other technical stuff, the MINI satisfies deeply.

For those of us who just like to get in a car, start it and enjoy the experience of a unique, reasonably quick, well-handling sports car, the MINI also satisfies deeply.

Thus, equip the car as you wish…you will enjoy it on the level that you can appreciate the best. That the MINI can be appreciated by such a wide range of drivers is ont of the more brilliant aspects of its design.

My two pence,

Theo
Rodney

With six speeds I wonder what the Highway gas mileage will be. I would think better than the 6 speed manual.
Bill

I thought manual transmissions invariably gave better fuel consumption than an auto trans (fitted to exactly the same vehicle).
Nicholas P

it'll be better than a 5-speed auto, but u lose hp in converting from manual to auto, so autos always get worse mileage, all things else being equal…
edward n.

Don't forget, the MCS, as it is now, is not designed for economy. 6th gear is no overdrive in the manual tranny. it will interesting to see the gearing for the slush box.

The MINI D is the fuel econo winner in the MINI family.
Rodney

Bill I think this used to be true in all cases. But at the recent Auto show I saw several examples where the highway mileage was better with the Auto. I assume a taller 6th gear. An example would be the 9-3 Saab Aero. The Auto get's slightly better mileage than the manual (1 MPG).
Rodney

I guess I should clarify my train of thought. My thinking is that the auto is tailored more for touring and the manual more towards sport.
Phil

How much skill does it take to do ONE gear change?

That's all you need to hit 60 mph in a “S”. It might or might not work better if you used 3rd gear.

The launch is the determining factor on 0-60 runs.
Akeeah

“However this is strictly a typical automatic and has nothing in common to the more sporty BMW SMG or VW DSG type of transmissions.” Could you elaborate on this a litte more. Thanks.
http://motoringfile.com Gabe

Both of those transmissions are essentially manuals with a computer controlled clutch. The SMG is not a smooth transmission… it's not meant for comfort. It's meant for sporty driving. When you go from 3rd to 2nd it'll blip the throttle for you for instance.

The DSG can theoretically feel more like a true automatic in “D” mode but it's still, at it's heart, a manual transmission with a computer controlled clutch.
archiegoodwin

I love this website. After wanting a Mini for 2 years I finally ordered my MCS with autotrans. I am old enough to have owned lots of sporty cars (including a modified Austin Mini Cooper S) and was never any good at shifting! I'm just a klutz with a clutch.

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