Mini bids manual gearbox farewell with John Cooper Works 1to6

With the debut of the all-new Mini Cooper set to take place within the coming weeks, parent company, BMW, has released what is likely to be the final iteration of the current model based on the red-hot John Cooper Works (JCW).

End of an era

Only available as a three-door, the somewhat oddly named John Cooper Works 1to6 does its name justice as it will only be fitted with the six-speed manual gearbox the new generation Cooper won’t be using despite a recent surge in three-pedal Mini popularity in the United States.

Besides seeing out the manual transmission, the 1to6 will only go on-sale in September, suggesting Mini will only start production of the new combustion engine Cooper at the end of this year once its world debut takes place in July.

ALSO READ: Power and range revealed as Mini resumes teasing new Cooper EV

Two platform Mini

As a reminder, the new Cooper, which officially adopts the surname of the original Mini’s famed tuner John Cooper as part of its name instead of referencing a specific model, will be split into two different models riding on two unique platforms.

For the combustion model expected to receive a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, production will continue to take place at the Oxford Plant in the United Kingdom on a revised version of the current FAAR platform, while the electric Cooper E and Cooper SE will be made in China on an EV optimised architecture co-developed between BMW and Great Wall Motors (GWM).

1to6 detailed

Given the latter being the first premiere, the JCW 1to6 will effectively also farewell the current F55 generation Mini until the Oxford facility’s retooling and upgrades, worth a reported £500-million, finishes.

As such, the send-off to the manual ‘box and almost decade old F55 Mini comprises Jet Black 18-inch alloy wheels, a gloss black honeycomb grille and lower air intake, expanded Piano Black accents and the standard red JCW brake calipers.

It doesn’t stop there though as apart from having only one colour option called Midnight Black, Mini has added 1to6 decals on the C-pillar, on the faux side vents and when opening the door, on the treadplates.

A six-speed manual gearshift pattern roundel on the tailgate rounds the exterior off, together with gloss black Mini badges and a single carbon-look stripe that runs across the bonnet, roof and rear wing, down the rear facia and on to the bumper.

Celebrating DIY driving

Inside, JCW 1to6 gets the 8.8-inch infotainment system as standard, but receives unique touches in 1to6 badging on the Nappa leather steering wheel, an Anthracite roofliner, red stitch work on the seat bolsters and gear lever, and white stitching on the steering wheel.

Completing the interior is the freestanding 5.5-inch digital instrument cluster, a 3D 1to6 insert on the passenger’s side dashboard, 1to6 branded floor mats, and etched into the sunroof as well as either side of the mentioned cluster, “one of 999” lettering that signifies how many 1to6’s will be made.

Start, pause, go

While adjustments have been to the standard JCW’s sport suspension at various locations, including on the Nürburgring Nordschleife, the 2.0-litre turbocharged engine has been retained with unchanged outputs of 170kW/320Nm.

With the manual ‘box in place, the JCW 1to6 will get from 0-100 km/h in 6.3 seconds, and reach a limited top speed of 250 km/h.

Sorry South Africa

Set to make its public showing at this weekend’s Nürburgring 24 Hours, the John Cooper Works 1to6 will only be available in Europe, the United States, Canada and Mexico with South Africa not being earmarked as a result of the manual gearbox having been discontinued across all Mini models as far back as 2019.

NOW READ: Smile for the camera: New Mini Cooper spied minus any disguise