For the most part, special editions of cars are just new takes on a current model. This usually means a special paint job and wheels and a couple of minor tweaks here and there. But for the 2021 MINI Cooper Sidewalk Convertible, it means a little more.

A new take on a modern MINI

Most of the MINI’s special editions are typically based on retro styling, however, this new MINI Cooper Sidewalk Convertible is a spinoff the 2007 MINI sidewalk edition. Sort of. The original MINI Sidewalk featured a special paint color, interior color, wheels, and a shift knob. However, this 2021 MINI Sidewalk Edition features something that the other MINIs in the current lineup don’t have: a manual transmission.

This is important to note because MINI took a hiatus from shipping manual transmission cars to the United States, and the forthcoming Sidewalk Convertible is the first one being offered with a stick ever since that announcement. Manual-transmission cars are also becoming more scarce in the new-car market, so this is one that should help save the manuals.

Paint job included

The new MINI Sidewalk Convertible will be offered in two paint options: Deep Laguna Metallic and Enigmatic Black Metallic. On top of that, the special MINI will have an anthracite-colored soft top with a checker pattern, as well as a custom leather steering wheel and floor mats inside. Other special features include scissor-spoke 17-inch wheels, a Harmon/Kardon sound system, heated front seats, Sidewalk badging, and an 8.0-inch touchscreen with navigation.

Everything else is the same

Other than the special-edition paint job, roof, and other trim bits, everything else on the Sidewalk Edition MINI will be the same as the standard Cooper S. The highly-coveted six-speed manual transmission will be mated to the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that puts out 189 horsepower and 207 lb-ft of torque and together they will drive the front wheels. A dual-clutch automatic is an option as well, in case you don’t like shift your own gears.

Other standard features include LED fog lights and headlights, a head-up display, keyless entry, and power-folding and heated mirrors.

Pricing

The 2021 MINI Sidewalk Edition will retail for $39,250, which includes $850 destination. In case you’re wondering, it costs $5,500 more than the regular Cooper S Convertible.

Is it worth it?

We think so, then again, we’re suckers for special-edition cars mainly because of the fancier paint colors. However, MINI did announce that their next generation of cars is likely to be delayed due to cost-cutting and trade rules between the U.K and the E.U. For this reason alone, we would say it might be a good idea to get into a special edition MINI, since who knows what the future might end up like.

And if that’s not enough to get you into a 2021 MINI Sidewalk Edition, then we say buy it for the manual transmission alone. After all, Springtime is here and sunny skies should be coming to a sky near you, so why not shift your way into a brighter future?