MINI JCW is auto-only... for now

Those wanting to change gear for themselves in their new MINI JCW will have to wait at least a couple of months for the pleasure, according to MINI Australia.

Speaking at the local MINI JCW launch, MINI Australia Product Manager Daniel Silverwood confirmed the manual's delay.

"We expect manual production to commence from August," Silverwood told motoring.com.au.

"From there, we expect the Australian arrival of the manual JCW in October."

Silverwood added that there were no unexplained issues, with early production right-hand drive manuals heading to the United Kingdom first creating a supply shortage.

"As far as I understand, we will be receiving the manual from the same batch as other right-hand drive markets," he said.

Silverwood believes that demand for the paddle-shifted automatic will only increase with the new model.

"I don't want to put a percentage on it, but we are confident it will increase from the previous car's 35-65 split [in favour of the manual, which was introduced earlier than the auto].

"There are performance benefits to the auto. It has better acceleration figures and has added functionality with the launch control. It's also more efficient," he concluded.

It also comes at a price premium. Where the manual is available from $47,400 (plus on-road costs) the automatic MINI JCW commences at $49,950; a $2550 premium.