2005 Mini Cooper S Offers New Performance Options

Mini USA recently announced the availability of a limited slip differential and also an automatic transmission as new options for the 2005 Mini Cooper S. Several product enhancements and price adjustments across the 2005 Mini Cooper model range will also take effect. Product changes are effective on vehicles produced January, 2005 and later, with new pricing to take place on cars wholesaled after January 1st.

According to Mini USA, the Mini Cooper S and Mini Cooper S Convertible can be optioned with a new limited slip differential, a performance feature coveted by motoring enthusiasts. The limited slip differential helps to divert more torque towards the drive wheel with better traction, ensuring power is transmitted to the road surface more effectively, helping to increase traction under acceleration or during cornering, resulting in improved handling and increased stability.

Manufactured by GKN Driveline, the system is a torque-sensitive differential that manages torque output under acceleration and offers a 30% slip rate. In other words, there is no loss of torque if the difference in grip between the two wheels is 30% or less. Mini also stated the that the system also allows the threshold for Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) to be increased without impeding the system's safe intervention in slippery situations.

Drivers of a Mini Cooper S will feel the difference mostly when the vehicle is driven to its performance edge. The limited slip differential is currently priced at $500 and is only available with the manual 6-speed transmission.

In related news, the Mini Cooper S and Mini Cooper S Convertible will now be offered with a six-speed automatic transmission including Steptronic mode and Steptronic shifting paddles on the steering wheel. Unlike the Mini Cooper Continuously Variable Transmission, this new automatic transmission has fixed gear ratios which result in quick gear changes and a dynamic driving experience tuned specifically to match the Mini Cooper S' sporty performance character. The new automatic transmission is built by Aisin.