Mini Australia has confirmed it will not return a guide transmission choice to its current-generation fashions.
This newest growth follows the corporate axing the manual option on account of semiconductor and wiring harness shortages in Might final 12 months and the native division saying it could initially return in early 2023.
“Mini will not provide guide transmissions for the Australian and New Zealand market from now till the top of manufacturing for present technology merchandise,” mentioned Mini Australia head of product and planning James Orlov.
For extra Motoring associated information and movies take a look at Motoring >>
“This choice enhances our capability to supply a number of powertrains throughout our vary of merchandise to make sure we’re catering to buyer calls for.”
Though Mini Australia will not provide manual-equipped fashions on current-generation automobiles, Mini USA is reintroducing the choice to seven mannequin variants for the 2024 mannequin 12 months.
Mini beforehand provided a guide transmission throughout greater than half its lineup, a selection of three-pedal choices unmatched by most manufacturers.
In reality, 27 of the 43 mannequin variants Mini provided might be specified with a six-speed guide as a non-cost possibility earlier than the manufacturing pause.
Six-speed manuals had been accessible throughout the board 3-Door Hatch, 5-Door Hatch, Clubman and Convertible fashions.
The one fashions and not using a guide transmission possibility domestically had been the Countryman SUV, John Cooper Works Clubman, and the Mini Electrical hatch.
Throughout 2021 when the six-speed guide transmission possibility was accessible, they accounted for 104 out of 3579 whole gross sales – or 2.9 % total.
All current-generation Mini 3-Door Hatch, 5-Door Hatch and Clubman fashions offered in Australia are produced on the firm’s plant in Oxford, England, whereas Countryman and Convertible fashions are produced within the Netherlands.
As beforehand reported, Mini has a brand new product onslaught and is on the brink of move away from internal-combustion engines entirelywhich can probably spell the top of guide transmissions.
Primarily based on earlier updates from Mini, the new-generation 3-Door Hatch, Countryman and Convertible would be the solely fashions accessible with internal-combustion engines. This does not essentially imply there will probably be a guide transmission possibility on any of those fashions although.
The final new Mini mannequin with an internal-combustion engine will probably be launched in 2025, and Mini says 50 % of its gross sales will probably be all-electric by 2027. Come 2030, each single Mini will probably be electrical.
Primarily based on earlier updates from Mini, its next-generation mannequin lineup will embrace the next automobiles:
- The basic 3-Door Hatch, accessible with petrol and electrical energy. It is anticipated to be smaller than the present automotive.
- The Aceman electrical SUV to fit between the 3-Door Hatch and Countryman.
- The Countryman SUV, grown as much as tackle the Audi Q3 and Mercedes-Benz GLA with petrol and electrical energy.
- One other premium compact automotive in an as-yet unrevealed phase, doubtlessly based mostly on the Vision Urbanaut concept.
- A brand new Convertible, due in 2025.
MORE: Mini pausing production of manual transmissions until 2023
