Mini adds a manual gearbox

Early last year, Mini removed the six-speed manual transmission from its options list due to supply problems and promised to bring it back at a later date.

Last fall, the company kept that promise and reintroduced the manual transmission as an option on its signature hardtop model.

And now the company has added this option to two of its models, the four-door hardtop and convertible. The manual transmission will be available on the Cooper and Cooper S grades. An eight-speed automatic is available instead.

Recently, Mini conducted a survey to determine how much interest there is in manual transmissions, and the results were positive for the old stick shift. Approximately 63% of respondents agreed that learning how to drive a manual is a rite of passage and an important life skill.

When it comes to specific age groups, Mini found that nearly half (49%) of Generation Z respondents indicated that they did not know how to drive a manual. When asked if they were willing to learn, 53% of Gen Z respondents indicated that they would be interested in learning how to row their own gears. This percentage grew when counting all ages up to age 34, in which case 67% said they were willing to learn.

Those who actually want to learn how to drive stick can learn through Mini. Since last fall, Mini has been offering a manual transmission driving course at the BMW West Coast Driving School at the Thermal Club, a private race track in California. The current course fee is $499.