7-Speed Dual Clutch Transmission For MINI Next Year

The MINI 3 Door, 5 Door and Convertible offerings have received an innovated 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox for the next model year.

The innovated gearbox should provide faster upshifts and enhanced fuel economy for the 3 smallest MINI offerings. It will come instead of the 6-speed Steptronic automatic gearbox in the cars. It will be marketed will all available motors. The 6-speed manual gearbox is still the regular option.

There will also be a new electronic gear level. It will come back to its original position after selecting a gear similarly to the BMW cars. The new lever also has a “P” knob for the parking lock and “S” position that enables a sport mode and manual shifting from the helm-mounted paddles. The gearbox also uses navigation info to manage shift pointes in the completely automatic mode and support the start and stop function for the motor.