The Mini 1998 GT Edition adds sharper handling and performance-focused upgrades to the Cooper lineup, using the entry-level Cooper C 2 Door as its foundation while adding John Cooper Works suspension, upgraded brakes and exclusive styling.
What Is the Mini 1998 GT Edition?
The new special edition is called the 1998 GT Edition, but the name does not refer to the year 1998. Instead, the number represents the four-cylinder engine’s displacement of 1,998 cubic centimeters.
The model is also a spiritual successor to the sporty 1275 GT Edition from 1969 and the 2021 1499 GT.
The 1998 GT Edition starts with the entry-level Mini Cooper C 2 Door and adds a high-performance John Cooper Works suspension and upgraded brakes. The powertrain remains unchanged, using a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 161 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque.
Power is sent to the front wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, which is the only transmission available now that the manual option is gone.
1998 GT Edition Gets Exclusive Styling
Mini also gives the special edition a series of exterior and interior design upgrades. The car comes in Midnight Black Metallic with an orange 1998 GT stripe along the lower flanks and an orange GT badge on the rear.
John Cooper Works components on the front, side and rear winglets add a sportier appearance, while 17-inch JCW Sprint Spoke black wheels complete the exterior.
Inside, the 1998 GT Edition features JCW Sport Seats covered in a combination of black Vescin and black knit upholstery. The heated three-spoke steering wheel carries a 1998 GT badge at the bottom.
The special-edition branding continues across the floor mats, door sills and center console.
Mini 1998 GT Edition Price and Availability
Mini says the 1998 GT Edition will have a limited run but has not specified how many examples will be produced. The model is part of the brand’s Icon Drops series, which is bringing eight limited-edition models to the United States.
The Mini 1998 GT Edition starts at $36,875, before a $1,350 destination fee. That is $7,375 more than the base Mini Cooper C, which starts at $29,500.
The special edition also costs more than the Cooper S, which starts at $32,800 and produces 201 horsepower.
The Mini 1998 GT Edition goes on sale this fall, with its higher price placing greater emphasis on its upgraded handling features.
