Is it too early to start speculating about the 2016 updates? I'd be very interested in a more performance-oriented auto trans such as BMW's 8-speed, I think.

Any transmission updates/upgrades in the pipeline?

 

I'd be surprised if they swap out the transmission anytime soon. The current sport trans w/paddle shifters is surprisingly quick in sport/manual mode, and is still fairly efficient as far as mileage goes. I feel like the F56 will keep the 6-speed for at least a few model years, if not more.

 

I have a '15F56S with sport auto and an Audi A7 with the ZF 8-speed. While I think that the Audi transmission is smoother, the Aisin 6-speed in my MINI is really good. The shifts are sharp and in "s mode" it downshifts with the help of GPS.

 

I think in the race to eek out every drop of efficiency and the current ratio wars, it's inevitable. I'm guessing it won't happen till the F60 or a LCI, but considering the F45 already has an Aisin 8sp, it seems like a pretty simple swap. Unless BMW decides to drop it for some reason and go back to ZF for the seemingly troubled (at least in the Cherokee) 9HP.

 

I think someone speculated the 7 or 8 speed would go in at the refresh time (3 year mark?) for the new model, or sooner.

It could use the mpg.

 

That is the most likely scenario ... a change made at LCI, which would coincide with the F60 intro as well (2017 MY).

While I love the new Sport Automatic in my F56 (the Navigation guided shifting is pretty darn cool if you get a chance to make it work), the ZF 8-speed 8HP transmission in my BMW Z4 is FAR superior. Upshifts and downshifts are remarkable smoother. In the MINI, the transmission jerks a bit too much for my liking at slower speeds in Mid mode and is rather jumpy in Sport mode. These conditions never happen in the Z4.

I have noticed that the transmission "decouples" (sic) when stationary and the brakes are applied, like I have experienced in VW's DSG transmission. When I am at a stoplight and lift off the brake, there is a tiny rollback before the transmission engages.

Anywho, back to the topic and speculations ... it was rumored that the ZF 9HP transmission was developed (size wise) specifically for use in the new MINI, but not sure if it will ever make it in. There have been programming issues with the Jeep Cherokee and Chrysler 200 models using the transmission and it is scheduled to be the most applied transmission for the upcoming Jeep Renegade. FCA US has the initial rights with ZF for exclusive use of the 9HP transmission for the time being.

 

While I understand the MPG wars, I could care less about having an eight or nine speed transmission in my F56S. I was always a manual guy until I test drove a F56S auto. My daughter had a "dsg" Audi A3 and that transmission was incredible. The Aisin in my car is not quite the DSG, but it will probably require much less maintenance.
In manual mode, I love the way this tranny shifts, especially the downshifts.

 

I thought FCA had exclusivity on the 9HP too, but I guess that expired 'cause Honda's already using it in V6 TLXs, and the Pilot that was just announced will have it. So it's a toss-up between it and the F45's 8sp Aisin.