I don't know for sure but I would have thought it was from the outset. It's at least been on the regular MINI since last September - pre-Clubman availability.
It was week 31 last year (07) that they started producing the hatch with the stop start (mines a week 32) .Wasn't the clubman released in November.They will all have it.
A salesman (manager) told me that it was left out of the Mini for the US because BMW/MINI were trying to keep the cost down. I do not trust much of what he said since he was 'fired' and no longer works for Mini.
Sold the Cooper. Now driving the Traveller. I mean Clubman.
I have a strong suspicion that the reason we don't have it due to some legal issue...by legal I mean along the lines of why we don't have the diesel, etc. Eventually, we'll catch up to our British relatives.
First love: MC CVT Indi Blue/White '04
Past MINI: MC CVT PW/Black '06
Present MINI: MCCa Pure Silver/BLK '09 w/roof rails
Oh shhhhhh, the Manual Only folks would have your head if they read this! I actually know very few people who drive automatics in my fairly large circle of MINIac pals.
First love: MC CVT Indi Blue/White '04
Past MINI: MC CVT PW/Black '06
Present MINI: MCCa Pure Silver/BLK '09 w/roof rails
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