Mini is bringing the manual gearbox back to the USA, and teaching Americans to drive

Fresh off the back of announcing that it will bring the manual gearbox back as an option in the USA, Mini has now set up a ‘Manual Driving School’ at the BMW Performance Center in California.

Mini USA quietly killed the six-speed manual option for what it calls the Hardtop 2-door (a car we know as the 3-door Hatch on our shores) in May 2022, citing supply chain issues as the reason for its demise.

However, it has now confirmed that it’ll be an option again, starting with cars built this month. Hurrah! And to help shift a few units, you’ll be able to take a manual driving course in California to really get the most out of your Cooper, Cooper S or John Cooper Works.

Would you be keen, Internet?