Mini Models Getting DCT In 2018, But Not In U.S.

Khodrocar - Next year, many Mini buyers in Europe will be able to order spec their vehicle with a new seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. The new gearbox won’t be available to customers in North America quite so soon, though.

The seven-speed DCT will be an option on the three- and five-door variants of the Mini Hardtop and on the Convertible and production will begin in March 2018. Models with the gearbox will also have a new, static gear selector. Rather than physically moving between selections, it rocks back and forth to pick Drive, Neutral, and Reverse. A physical button puts the vehicle into park. Moving the shifter to the left while in Drive activates the Sport mode, which holds gears longer.

The new transmission is quite a sophisticated unit because it can decide when to shift based on navigation data if the model has that option. Plus, the gearbox uses a bevy of sensors to choose when is the right time to activate the engine start/stop function and coasting functions.

The DCT won’t be available on Mini models in the United States because the gearbox’s production "takes up lots of capacity,” according to Mini USA Communications Manager Mariella Kapsaskis. For now, the automaker won’t confirm whether the dual-clutch transmission will be available in the U.S. in future model years. However, it’s hard to imagine Mini not eventually making the option available. 

Looking at Mini’s global sales provide one reason why the automaker might not bring the DCT to the U.S. and Europe simultaneously. In America, the company’s volume is down 10.3 percent from January through November with 42,494 vehicles sold. In contrast, global figures are up 3 percent in the same period with 334,205 deliveries. From a business perspective, it makes sense for Mini to prioritize launching innovations where the company is already strong in an effort to keep the growth going.