Wednesday 10th January 2018

Mini Cooper S gets DCT 'box

New dual-shift transmission is the meat of Mini's latest refresh - along with some rather conspicuous taillights

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What do you need to know about the 2018 Mini? Not much. As refreshes go, this one is as trifling as a hummingbird's hoof print. The most consequential item added to a carried-over lineup is the option of a new seven-speed dual-shift automatic. This is of middling interest as it's available with the Cooper S - which, when previously selected in automatic format, was roughly as inspiring as unpainted papermache thanks to the mismatched transmission.

We'd still recommend you take the standard six-speed manual gearbox of course, but there's a decent chance that the Steptronic (which now includes paddle shifters) will do a better job of harnessing the model's 192hp than its torque converting predecessor. It won't be the most noticeable alteration though, that dubious honour goes to the union flag motif which has been incorporated into the taillights. Which is either a neat way of showing off the Mini's now standard all-round LED lights or a cringeworthy styling slip-up. Rather depends, that one.

Much of everything else is going on inside. News that the 6.5-inch infotainment screen, USB and Bluetooth (and the multi-function steering wheel) are now all standard should be welcomed given Mini's previous stinginess in this area. Ditto the mild power increase for the entry-level Mini One. You can also have adaptive Matrix headlights if you wish - an option BMW claims as the first in the supermini segment.

Otherwise there's the usual assault on individualisation, with new body finishes, alloy wheel designs, leather trim, backlit surfaces and colour lines being made available. Also, you can have the Mini logo beamed onto the ground by the mirror on the driver's side. (Well, we warned you.)

[V8 FOU]

No. Just No.

DCT is acceptable, but those rear lights?

[Snubs]

V8 FOU said:

DCT is acceptable, but those rear lights?

Indeed. I really like the first of the new MINIs i.e. the R50 / R53 era cars. But the design has got relentlessly uglier and more cartoonish with every subsequent iteration. They're just gopping now.

[99dndd]

I like those lights.

Never been much of a new Mini fan though, not mini enough for my liking.

[xjay1337]

Whoever signed off on those rear lights needs shooting.

[Hammy98]

Those lights are horrendous, but you did used to see a few minis about with various British-associated tat stuck on.

Surely would be a better idea to have the lights as an option?

[GTEYE]

Hammy98 said:

Those lights are horrendous, but you did used to see a few minis about with various British-associated tat stuck on.

Surely would be a better idea to have the lights as an option?

Like the indicator stalk on Audis?

I actually think they look okay - and in the post Brexit world why not? Ironically, somebody inside Munich will have signed them off for production...

[Kenny Powers]

A decent picture of said tail lights would be nice. I’m not normally one to complain, especially as I don’t pay to use this website, but oh my goodness the quality of images on Pistonheads reminds me of 1995. Embarrassing.

Nice motorcar though. Had one on loan not so long ago when my BMW was in for a service, and I didn’t want to give it back

[Tomy90]

Those brake lights worked in the mini Superleggera concept, but that was because the lights were small and delicate.

But the brake lights on the current mini are just too big to pull this off in my opinion.

However it is not a deal breaker in my opinion.

Also hate puddle lights that show logo’s etc, do not need a puddle light to remind me what I am getting into.

[BuddyLove25]

Kenny Powers said:

A decent picture of said tail lights would be nice. I’m not normally one to complain, especially as I don’t pay to use this website, but oh my goodness the quality of images on Pistonheads reminds me of 1995. Embarrassing.

Nice motorcar though. Had one on loan not so long ago when my BMW was in for a service, and I didn’t want to give it back

Good image here! https://www.autoblog.com/2018/01/09/2019-mini-coop...

Personally not a fan...

[Plew]

I've always found the LED Mini headlights to be some of the worst on the road for dazzling, so I'm a bit sceptical as to whether matrix lights will offer any improvement!

Can't say I find the new tail lights too tasteful either!

[Kenny Powers]

BuddyLove25 said:

Good image here! https://www.autoblog.com/2018/01/09/2019-mini-coop...

Personally not a fan...

Thanks

Yeah I’m not super keen on that look. It’s a bit cheesy. Probably appeals more in other markets though. Our cousins in the United States can be rather partial to some Britishness. Up the apples & pears etc.

[Ninja59]

I am not against the lights. What did offend was the gear selector, I mean what were they thinking trying merge BMW style display on it with a bizarre old style mobile phone on some huge stick!

Why not just use a traditional changer. It works on a BMW because the selector is tiny! (and also if these go wrong they are eye watering money).

[Alex_225]

Hammy98 said:

Those lights are horrendous, but you did used to see a few minis about with various British-associated tat stuck on.

It may be a tiny bit more acceptable if the car was actually British albeit still a bit naff!

[chryslerben]

Alex_225 said:

It may be a tiny bit more acceptable if the car was actually British albeit still a bit naff!

Built in Oxford not count?

[JerryF]

It's built in the UK, with UK steel and a British engine - there is nothing more BRITISH. Love the tail lights...

[Dave Hedgehog]

V8 FOU said:

No. Just No.

DCT is acceptable, but those rear lights?

brexit fans will love them

[Jim AK]

More style over substance from Bini.

So glad these & all their owners other products have been removed from our company car lists.

[MethylatedSpirit]

I like them.

-In my opinion- they're one of the few cars left that are genuinely fun to drive, even the lesser models. Snappy gearchange, pillerbox view out the windscreen, small bark from the exhaust when starting (even on the cooper) and comically small inside.

[loudlashadjuster]

I hate to be 'that guy', but it looks as if they've even managed to screw up the flag orientation.

The actual flag said:

I suppose this would have the pretty notable distinction of annoying both the flag apologists, embarrassed by the whole tacky approach, and the Brexity fundamentalists who usually go apest over such insults to our great country, the Queen etc.

Quite an achievement, or brilliant trolling by BMW?

[C.A.R.]

Done for symmetry I suppose, the RHS tail light is accurate at least?!

Bit of a cringe when I first saw them to be honest. BNP members would love them!

I think it does help to detract (or distract) from the fact that the rear light clusters are MASSIVE on what is such a little car (although, most would argue, not as little as it should be).