The John Cooper Works Bulldog Racing Edition could be one of the last Mini models equipped with a manual transmission – Photo: Mini
in an interview with top GearStefanie Wurst, head of Mini under the BMW Group, said the company will no longer produce manual transmission cars, regardless of their format.
Instead, Mini will focus on electric vehicles. The automaker introduced electric variants of the new Cooper and Countryman at the IAA Mobility Show in Munich.
So far, MINI has remained silent about the possibility of launching new internal combustion engine models. come along engine1All Mini models will have at least one hybrid version for better emissions.
The principle of focusing on electric vehicles has been carried over with the racing segment as well. Wurst revealed that he spoke to Charlie Cooper, nephew of John Cooper (racing legend) and both expressed interest in developing electric racing cars.
She admitted that she could not make any assessments or predictions at this time, as “not all new forms of electric motorsport are successful”, but promised that Mini would focus on “good foundations” for the future.
Electric cars will be the main focus of MINI – Photo: MINI
In August 2023, MINI introduced the John Cooper Works Bulldog Racing Edition, a manual transmission performance car model. The car uses a turbocharged 2.0L 4-cylinder engine, which generates 231 horsepower and 319Nm of torque, with Remus exhaust and a 6-speed manual transmission.
The car is equipped with an adjustable suspension and 17-inch OZ HyperGT wheels with Pirelli P Zero tyres. There are no rear seats in the cabin to save weight.
The newly launched Mini Cooper EV has two variants, E and SE. The standard E version uses a front-mounted electric motor that produces 181 horsepower and 289 Nm of maximum torque, accelerating from 0-100 km/h in 7.3 seconds with a range of 304 km.
The SE variant produces 214 hp and 329 Nm, accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 6.7 seconds and has a range of 400 km.
Both versions ride on the Spotlight EV platform from a partnership between BMW Group and China’s Great Wall Motor.
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