Last spring MotoringFile broke the news that MINI USA would be temporarily eliminating the manual transmission from all models due to a severe lag in emission certification. But it wasn’t long until we confirmed that MINI USA was on target for a March return for the beloved manual. The only hang-up was that it would only be offered on some models in the US. Now MINI USA is confirming the news and officially listing what can and cannot be ordered with a manual transmission.

manual transmission

What Models Will Get a Manual Transmission?

As of March 2020, production has resumed for MINI Hardtop and Convertible models equipped with manual transmissions.  These include the following 2021 model year vehicles;

#2021 MINI Hardtop and Convertible Models with Manual Transmissions
1.MINI Cooper 2-door Hardtop
2.MINI Cooper 4-door Hardtop
3.MINI Cooper S 2-door Hardtop
4.MINI Cooper S 4-door Hardtop
5.MINI John Cooper Works 2-door Hardtop
6.MINI Cooper Convertible
7.MINI Cooper S Convertible

Exceptions include:

  • The high performance 2021 MINI John Cooper Works GP, which comes exclusively with an 8-speed Steptronic Sport automatic transmission, tailored to handle the car’s 301 horsepower.
  • The 2021 model year MINI John Cooper Works Convertible, which exclusively features a standard 8-Speed automatic transmission.

“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. 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!”

Patrick McKenna, Head of Product Planning for MINI USA

MotoringFile’s Take

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. The big omission from this official news is the Clubman and Countryman. While MINI won’t formally release info on those models until later this spring, we have an early look at what will and won’t get a manual across all models MINI USA sells.

F54 Clubman

  • Cooper (eliminated from the US line-up)
  • Cooper All4 (eliminated from the US line-up)
  • Cooper S
  • Cooper S All4
  • JCW

F55 Hardtop four door

  • Cooper
  • Cooper S

F56 Hardtop two door

  • Cooper
  • Cooper S
  • JCW

F57 Convertible

  • Cooper
  • Cooper S
  • JCW

F60 Countryman

  • Cooper
  • Cooper All4
  • Cooper S
  • Cooper S All4
  • JCW

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

  • Cooper / 3% (eliminated from the US line-up)
  • Cooper All4 / 8% (eliminated from the US line-up)
  • Cooper S / 7%
  • Cooper S All4 / 9%
  • JCW / 22%

F55 Hardtop four door

  • Cooper / 6%
  • Cooper S / 10%

F56 Hardtop two door

  • Cooper / 11%
  • Cooper S / 17%
  • JCW / 41%

F57 Convertible 

  • Cooper / 6%
  • Cooper S / 30%
  • JCW / 32%

F60 Countryman 

  • Cooper / 1%
  • Cooper All4 / 6%
  • Cooper S / 0%
  • Cooper S All4 / 10%
  • JCW / 19%

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.

Despite this, the fact that MINI still offers the largest percentage of models of any major brand sold in the US shouldn’t be missed. 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).