Small manual glitches: Will they ever make it back to Australia?

Little Australia confirmed that they will not be returning the manual transmission option to current-generation models.

This latest development according to the company manual optional shaft due to a shortage of semiconductors and wiring harnesses last May and the local department said it would initially be back up and running in early 2023.

James Orlov, head of product and planning at Mini Australia, said: “Mini will no longer supply manual transmissions to the Australian and New Zealand markets until the end of production of next-generation products. Present.

“This decision enhances our capacity to produce multiple powertrains across our product range to ensure we meet the needs of our customers.”

While Mini Australia will not offer manual transmission models on current-generation vehicles, Mini USA is reintroducing the option for seven model variants for the 2024 model year.

Mini previously powered more than half of its lineup with manual transmissions, a range of three-pedal options most brands never had.

In fact, 27 of the 43 variants of the Mini model on offer can be specified with a six-speed manual transmission as a free option before production halts.

Six-speed manual is available throughout Bloom 3 Doors, Bloom 5 Doors, club people And convertibles model.

The only models without a local manual transmission option are countryman SUV, John Cooper Works Clubman, and Mini Electric hatch.

In 2021 when a six-speed manual transmission is available, they account for 104 of 3579 sales – or 2.9% overall.

All current-generation Mini 3-Door Hatch, 5-Door Hatch and Clubman models sold in Australia are manufactured at the company’s factory in Oxford, UK, while the Countryman and Convertible models are manufactured in Netherlands.

As previously reported, Mini has had a new product attack and is about to hit the market. completely eliminate the internal combustion engineThis is likely to spell the end of the manual transmission.

Based on previous updates from Mini, New generation 3 Doors hatch, countryman and Convertible will be the only models with an internal combustion engine. However, this does not necessarily mean that there will be a manual transmission option on any of these models.

The last new Mini model with an internal combustion engine will be launched in 2025, and Mini says 50% of its sales will be all-electric by 2027. By 2030, every Mini will run. by electricity.

Building on previous updates from Mini, its next-generation lineup will include the following cars:

• Classic 3-door hatch, available with petrol and electric engines. It is expected to be smaller than the current car.
• The Aceman electric SUV sits between the 3-door Hatch and the Countryman.
• Countryman SUV, raised to take on Audi Q3 And Mercedes GLA by gasoline and electricity.
• Another premium compact car in an undisclosed segment, likely based on Urbanaut vision concept.
• A new Convertible, due in 2025.

THAN: Mini suspends manual transmission production until 2023