4th Gen MINI Cooper | 2024 - 2031 F65 MINI Cooper 5 Door F66 MINI Cooper (ICE) F67 Cooper Convertible (ICE)
Exclusive: MINI USA To Add JCW Trim—and Shift Paddles—to the 2026 Cooper and Cooper S
For 2026, MINI USA is making a course correction that enthusiasts have been waiting for: the JCW Trim package is coming to both the Cooper and Cooper S. More importantly, this brings shift paddles to non-JCW MINIs in the U.S. for the first time—a long-overdue fix for a lineup that, until now, offered no manual gear control of any kind.
But this isn’t just about finally being able to flick through gears in your Cooper S. It’s the end result of a disconnect between MINI USA’s (on paper sound) product strategy and MINI Global’s product planning.
When the new F66 generation launched, MINI USA made a deliberate decision not to offer the JCW Trim on standard models. The logic was sound: if you’re selling a true John Cooper Works model, you want it to stand out. Offering the same visual package—aggressive aero, big wheels, red-stitched seats—on a base Cooper or Cooper S risked diluting the JCW’s identity in the eyes of buyers.
But that approach ran headlong into MINI Global’s product strategy. Globally, MINI tied shift paddles exclusively to the JCW steering wheel—an item only available with the JCW Trim. That meant unless MINI USA offered the JCW Trim on non-JCW cars, North American buyers had no access to shift paddles at all. And since MINI had already dropped the manual transmission, U.S. Cooper and Cooper S buyers were stuck with automatic-only control—something buyers outside of North America didn’t have to contend with.
What looked like a straightforward product planning decision turned into a massive change in the Cooper’s character.
Now, MINI USA is making it right and will be offering the JCW Trim with Cooper and Cooper S models on the F66 hatch and F67 convertible. It’s worth noting that the five door (F65) has offered the JCW Trim from launch since there is now full JCW model offered by MINI.
Why the JCW Trim Is Important to Enthusiast
As detailed in our full review, the JCW Trim brings the long-missing shift paddles to the Cooper and Cooper S, along with a suite of visual and dynamic enhancements. That includes the JCW aero kit, 18” wheels, Vescin sport seats with red stitching, and the signature JCW steering wheel. The biggest physical upgrade is actually the brakes. The JCW Trim offers the larger floating caliper JCW brakes – the same ones found on the full JCW. In fact we prefer them on cars with the JCW Style because of the more subtle black calipers with the JCW logo.
In our testing we found that the package also sharpens throttle response. This combined with better braking and manual shift controls creates a car that—while not a full JCW—feels meaningfully upgraded over the standard version.
In short, it’s the car that the Cooper and Cooper S should have been from the beginning.
The MotoringFile Take
This wasn’t about neglect or oversight on MINI USA’s part. It was a brand decision made with the best intentions: protect the JCW identity. But that goal clashed with MINI Global’s bundling strategy—and U.S. drivers paid the price. Now, the compromise is here, and it’s a good one.
If you’ve been waiting for a Cooper S with visual punch, performance edge, and paddles on the wheel, your MINI has finally arrived.
Next step, put a tach, a speedometer, and gas gauge in front of the steering wheel and we’re closer to an enthusiast’s car.
JCW trim has a digital tach in the center screen. I can’t remember how to access it but I was told it’s there.
The obvious being… bring back the f* manual transmission.
And will you buy if they do? Sooo many people walk into my showroom asking for a manual transmission but we only sold 10% in stick shift. You want to know the craziest? I had a lady who came in and said “MINI should only come in a manual!” I replied I agreed and said I happen to have a 2024 demo with a manual and she was welcome to take a test drive… “Oh I am sorry I actually don’t know how to drive a 5speed so I would never buy a Mini but I think an automatic Mini is just wrong…” WHAT THE ACTUAL F@#$??? We actually have people who “gatekeep” the brand but would never actually pony up actual cash to support it? My ex-coworker who moved onto Porsche says “Bro, you think MINI has it bad? There are people who walk into my store who Have not, Will not, Never will… but they tell me what Porsche needs to do!” I apologize for the rant, but my coffee hasn’t kicked in yet!
Yes, 3 of the 5 Mini’s that I’ve owned were manual, one was the SE, and the other was automatic. In summer ’24 I was actively on a hunt on the northeast to find a used ’22 or newer with manual and could not find one within a reasonable range. I landed on a F66 lease and told myself that once this lease is up, I’ll pray that Mini brings back a manual, or I will sadly need to go to a different brand that will still have manual in a few years like a Miata or something.
Unfortunately MINI USA has zero control over that.
Horrible idea. Wish they would have added the paddle shifters without the JCW visual package. I think the JCW should stand out and not be constantly confused with a regular S dressed up like a JCW. It was something I didn’t like about the European market and now they’ve brought it to the US.
My understanding is that it was going this route or not offering them at all.
What’s crazy is the number of people who would rather they not be offered at all. I’ve encountered a lot of those people. I think it’s a great thing. I had a Cooper S with the JCW package. I loved it. The JCW racing team cars aren’t even JCW’s. They are converted Cooper S. Amazing a lot of people don’t know that.
Good call MINI USA, for sure!