MCS Automatic Paddles

Sections: MF Feature Jan 20th, 2005 13 Comments

For all you folks with an automatic Cooper S on order, here is what your steering wheel will look like. Both paddles operate in the same fashion, push to downshift and pull to upshift. As mentioned last year on MotoringFile they mimic the design and operation of the SMG paddles in non-M BMWs*.

You can read all you ever wanted to know about this new transmission in this previous MotoringFile article: MCS Automatic Debuts.

* Please note that this is not an SMG transmision but a normal automatic.

Written By: Gabe

13 Comments

drew Jan 20th, 2005 Link

thanks for the beauty shot gabe. as someone who is very psyched for my mcsa – i cannot wait!

cheers – drew

joe Jan 20th, 2005 Link

this is OT, but any news when will the Canadian site configurator be updated with MCS automatic?

Dennis Yu Jan 20th, 2005 Link

So what is SMG transmision? and why is this just a normal automatic?

MeeNgow Jan 20th, 2005 Link

In Thailand, if you order MCS now you can only get automatic. :( from the one and only dealer

Brad Jan 20th, 2005 Link

My MCS automatic is on the boat arriving in Charleston Saturday, I can’t wait for MINI of Charleston to add the goodies and hand me the keys….

michael Boice Jan 21st, 2005 Link

If this tranny were truely a manu-matic ala SMG or Ferrari’s paddle system I would be in for sure. In particular, Ferrari’s system makes the shifting faster than their manual.

Frank Jan 21st, 2005 Link

This tranny is a regular 6 speed slushbox with Steptronic manual controls. It is made by Aisin (Japanese) and this tranny has been used in some VW products, most notably the current Audi TT. It is supposed to be a good and pretty reliable transmission, but not SMG or CVT here, just regular plain old hydraulically operated automatic.

Ian Jan 21st, 2005 Link

Dennis, I simple terms an SMG is like a manual transmission with clutch etc but with electronic mechanisms to do the shifting. A normal automatic has no clutch; instead a torque converter allows a sort of slippage. A quick Google gives: Read here about SMG and read here about normal!

Bill Jan 21st, 2005 Link

But it’s an automatic S. That’s like an automatic WRX, or an automatic M-series. Who does that? Come on…..

MrV Jan 21st, 2005 Link

Please don’t start another thread of comments along that line. Let it rest.

Mark Pierce Jan 21st, 2005 Link

I was speaking today to a friend who works for MINI who drove a pre production (built in November) MINI Cooper S Automatic Convetible the other day. He said it was fantastic, much better than he was expecting and worlds better than CVT. Using the paddles the shifts are very quick and smooth. Now he is not normally an Auto fan so for him to say it’s that good, it must be.

MrV Jan 21st, 2005 Link

That’s awesome to hear Mark. I have my own reasons for ordering one of these, and doing so “sight unseen” is a little unsettling on the nerves. Mine should be built any day now and I am looking forward to driving it myself.

Thanks for sharing the limited review!

AB Jan 22nd, 2005 Link

Getting my MCSca the first week of Feb. Thanks for the paddle pic. I can’t wait to see it in person. It looks like the wheel itself is indented for them. Is that the case? Also, are there paddles on both sides? If so, do they operate the same way?

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