Automatic Mini COOPER

[jcuthell]

The AUTO on the MINI Cooper has steering wheel switches as well as conventional lever to change 6 speeds. It is a CVT box apparently from MGF but improved.

I have also put a deposit on this car. Do you know anymore about when it goes into production, cost or performance?

James

[BruceK]

It appears that the switches on the steering wheel won't be the only way to rapidly change gears with the automatic MINI.

The automatic's floor mounted lever has the quick change "+" and "-" capabilities. Look at this photo from the Gallery in the Show images section:

http://www.mini2.com/images/gallery/...Showroom12.jpg

[Tarnofsky]

Hi,

I had a very close look at a MINI ONE in the showroom in Munich. It had a "Mulitfunktionslenkrad" which is the wheel with the switches. I asked what you do control with them. I was told that the switches on top of the wheel are for the stereo, the ones on the underside are for the car's navigation system. BTW: this car really had navigation.

The guy there explained that the buttons are programmable and could certainly be used for the auto box but that they would not be used for that purpose, yet.

Cheers,

Wolfgnag

[doug]

Quote:

On 22-04-2001 18:41 jcuthell wrote:
The AUTO on the MINI Cooper has steering wheel switches as well as conventional lever to change 6 speeds. It is a CVT box apparently from MGF but improved.

What is meant by a CVT box? Is this a Constant Velocity tranny like the new Honda's have?

[BruceK]

Yes, based upon a CVT but not infinitely variable like the DAF or Subaru or Honda CVTs. The CVT in the MGF has specific gear ratios fixed I understand the MINI will be set up the same. I would imagine there might be some sort of sport or economy mode that would electronically adjust the shift points or the gear ratios choosen.

[jcuthell]

The picture in the gallery is of a Steptronic model (as opposed to standard auto) and so seems strange that you cannot see any steering wheel switches or paddles. The gearbox borrowed from the Rover MGF has "golf ball" type paddles on top of the steering wheel but it does not seem like these feature on the MINI Steptronic.

Wolfgang did you see the Steptronic at the Munich showroom?

Did they say anything more about it or what it is like to drive?

thanks,

James