There is a huge difference in the EPA gas mileage between a manual and automatic Cooper S. Is this for real, or are the tests for manual cars run with the transmission in 2 gears too low most of the time, or something like that? TIA for any information, specially about how the tests are run.

https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/Find...43828&id=43788

 

My guess is it’s closer to real and the difference is due to the auto trans being computer controlled. They can program everything to maximize gas mileage for government regulations.

Besides lower demand, fuel mileage regulations and negative effects on corporate averages is probably the biggest reason for the discontinuation of manual transmissions. The mileage requirement are also the reason auto stop/start nannies that always reset at every start up have become very common.