Mini adds automatic gearbox option to its John Cooper Works models

Arriving in the region this month, a new generation, six-speed automatic gearbox engine will be available on the MINI John Cooper Works Hatch, Cabrio, Clubman, Coupé and Roadster, promising ultra-sporty performance guaranteed to get pulses racing amongst the sporting sub-brand's enthusiastic and ever-growing fans.

Linked up as standard with a six-speed manual gearbox tuned to suit its high performance characteristics, the new 211hp engine on the MINI John Cooper Works models can be ordered as an option with a six-speed automatic gearbox with Steptronic function. Owners who opt to go the automatic route still have the ability to shift gears manually by using the selector or shift paddles located on the steering wheel.

These sporty models are ferocious which have been bred for the race track and adapted for the roads. The MINI John Cooper Works collection plays homage to its pioneering British Racing Driver founder John Newton Cooper, who turned his attention to transforming the original Mini into a performance machine back in the 1960's.

The MINI John Cooper Works Countryman with an optional automatic gearbox will also be available from January 2013 onwards. Speeding into the fast lane with a 218 hp engine which is channelled through an all-wheel drive system, passengers are guaranteed to get the ride of their lives whether they are travelling on smooth road surfaces or rough terrain.

All six MINI John Cooper Works models combine their stand-out sporting potential with unmistakable looks and special equipment features which accentuate the feeling of a race car - both inside and out. Standard specification includes the Sport Button, which allows the driver to tweak the car's accelerator responses and steering characteristics, powerful brakes, bespoke light-alloy wheels and sport stripes amongst other features. The John Cooper Works aerodynamic kit also comes as standard and optimises not only the air flow over and around the cars, but also the visual impact.

Commenting on the new automatic transmission MINI John Cooper Works models, Sarah Klippert, MINI Manager in the Middle East, said: "Currently the MINI John Cooper Works models are only available with a manual gearbox - and with Middle East customers having a preference to drive cars with automatic gearboxes, we are confident that the introduction of this new automatic gearbox will attract a whole new target audience to our MINI John Cooper Works sub-brand."

Go on. We dare you to embark on your own MINI John Cooper Works adventure this November.