Manual Transmission MINIs Return to the US – Here’s What is Coming

A year ago we brought you the bad new that MINI USA would not just eliminate some manual MINI models from the line-up, but temporarily stop selling manuals altogether. But the key word is temporary as MINI’s already prepping for the option’s return.
Backing up for a moment, manual transmission production stopped in July of 2019 and was the result of more stringent emission certifications. More specifically, the delay is caused by calibration testing that was to take place later in 2019.
For the smaller MINIs (F55, F56, and F57) the manual transmission will return for March production. That will include all models from the Cooper to the JCW.
The front wheel drive Clubman and Countryman will get the manual option with July 2020 production. Unfortunately, MINI will not be offering the manual on most configurations of those cars moving forward.
Once it’s all said and done, MINI will be back to one of the most manual transmission friendly brands in the US. But there are some big losses as well.
Here’s the full list of what will and won’t ultimately be offered with a manual.
That’s a lot less manuals. To be fair take-rates were quite low on many of those models. How low? Here’s a full rundown on the percentage of manuals sold for each model over the last model year (we’ve bolded what models will continue to offer a manual for easy reference).
F54 Clubman
F55 Hardtop four door
F56 Hardtop two door
F57 Convertible
F60 Countryman
Where does that leave us? Losing manual availability in this many models at once is tough as a MINI enthusiast. There’s a certain authenticity to any brand that still offers manuals and no one has offered more over the years than MINI. Furthermore not having a manual on the 301 hp JCW Clubman, Countryman and upcoming GP feels like an obvious miss given the would be take-rate of those cars.
Yet, even with this change MINI still offers the largest percentage of models of any brand sold in the US with a manual outside of small volume sports car makers. And given the all out assault currently happening on small cars in the North American market, it’s fair to say that things could be much worse (as we’ve seen with other brands).