NEXT year's MINI models will also provide a number of new options giving owners the chance to personalise their cars.

For the first time, MINI Cooper S and MINI Cooper S convertible will be offered with a six-speed automatic transmission that includes Steptronic mode and Steptronic paddles on the steering wheel.

Unlike the MINI One and MINI Cooper continuously variable transmission system, this new automatic transmission has fixed gear ratios, which result in quicker gear changes.

There is also adaptive transmission control, capable of recognising the driver's driving style.

For example, the transmission will build the revs for longer before changing gear if it "knows" the driver enjoys driving to the car's limits. The automatic transmission is priced at £1,050.

MINI One, MINI Cooper and MINI Cooper convertible will keep the continuously variable transmission with Steptronic, but the option will also include Steptronic paddles on the steering wheel.

The variable transmission works without a specific gearing ratio that results in it being continuously variable.

It can adapt constantly to the driving environment, offering both smooth in town gear changes and more dynamic transmission slots when the driver chooses to enjoy a meandering B-road. This transmission is priced at £1,050.

MINI Cooper S and MINI Cooper S convertible will also have the option of limited slip differential, a system that increases traction and so improves handling and stability. Limited slip differential is priced at £100, and is only offered with a manual transmission.

Seventeen-inch, five-star Bullet light alloy wheels, previously only available on MINI convertible models, will be available on all other versions, and 17-inch Web spoke light bolted alloy wheels will also be available on all models, with prices ranging between £480 to £1,600 depending on the model and level of specification.

Other new options include door mirror caps in body colour for MINI One convertible, £50; automatic dimming rear view mirror, £85; rain sensor and automatic headlight-on sensor, £85; and white indicator lights in rear cluster and white side repeaters available for all models priced at £50, although the price for the MINI Cooper S is £35 because white side repeaters are already standard on this model.

Special packs have also been given a few extras: the £220 visibility package now gets automatic headlight-on sensor to go with automatic dimming rear view mirror, rain sensor and heated front windscreen.

Satellite navigation will be expanded to include a single CD player and traffic message channel as standard, and will cost from £1,410 to £1,650. All MINI models will benefit from a change to the capacity of the washer bottle.

The bottle has been increased in size by 0.4 litres to approximately 2.5 litres. In addition, an orange warning lamp will be situated on the right hand indicator stalk to advise drivers when their washer fluid is running low.

As a result, the security alarm lamp that has been on the right hand indicator stalk will move to the left hand indicator stalk.

Finally, there is a retrofit leather seat upgrade kit for customers who want to upgrade their own MINI or have bought a used MINI with cloth seats but would prefer leather. The kit costs £1,450 plus three hours' fitting time. For a further £100 the heated seat option can also be added.

Updated: 09:17 Friday, November 26, 2004