Currently reading: Mini JCW 1to6 special edition is last ever manual Mini

Sporty three-door hatchback gets 231bhp, bespoke details and near-£40,000 price tag

The Mini John Cooper Works 1to6 has been revealed as the brand's last ever manual car as it pushes forward with automatic gearboxes and electric powertrains.

The £39,600 special edition – of which just 999 examples will be made, all in three-door format, 150 of them for the UK – ends 64 years of manual Minis.

It has been created with “driver enjoyment and involvement” at its core, said brand boss Stefanie Wurst.

To be launched at this weekend’s Nürburgring 24 Hour race, the JCW 1to6 also "celebrates Mini's legendary motorsport history".

Mini jcw 1to6 side static 

As previously reported by Autocar, Mini's future line-up – which will gain its final new ICE car in 2025 and be EV-only from 2030 – will use the familiar ZF eight-speed auto.

The brand said it was “99% sure” that it wouldn't offer manual options on future products, and neither of the brand’s upcoming ICE models – the Cooper hatchback or the Countryman SUV – will offer a stick.

The 1to6 will be a collector’s item, then. It comes in a fixed specification, with additional trinkets, such as a bonnet stripe depicting a graphic of a manual transmission and ‘one of 999’ lettering on the sunroof and dashboard, over the standard JCW. 

It's finished in Midnight Black metallic paint, has bespoke gloss black 18in alloy wheels and bears 1to6 badging on the C-pillar and rear splitter. 

Mini jcw 1to6 interior

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Inside, alongside an 8.8in touchscreen, the same transmission emblem found on the bonnet stripe is repeated on the door sills, floor mats, passenger side trim and lower spoke of the steering wheel, which is coated in Nappa leather. 

The car is powered by the same 231bhp 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine as the standard JCW. In the 1to6, it delivers the 0-62mph sprint in 6.3sec, matching the Hyundai i20 N and beating the Ford Fiesta ST by 0.2sec.

Jonathan Bryce

Jonathan Bryce
Title: Editorial Assistant

Jonathan is an editorial assistant working with Autocar. He has held this position since March 2024, having previously studied at the University of Glasgow before moving to London to become an editorial apprentice and pursue a career in motoring journalism. 

His role at work involves running Autocar's sister title Move Electric, which is most notably concerned with electric cars. His other roles include writing new and updating existing new car reviews, and appearing on Autocar's social media channels including Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.

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legless 19 May 2023
It won't have the ZF 8 speed auto as stated in the article, as that's only for longitudinal installations.

It'll most likely have the inferior 9 speed unit for transverse installations.

Boris9119 19 May 2023

Honda Civic Type R, for what 5k more is a no-brainer. This is just pure dross, that BMW  know they will find 999 Muppets to pony up for?

Just Saying 18 May 2023
Question to Autocar.
Why are you allowing links to investing in Bitcoin?
Why?
Just delete them, what's the worse thing that could happen?
On belalf of every regular who comments on here, I thank you.