The Mini 1998 GT Edition is bringing a new focus on cornering performance to the Mini Cooper lineup, combining the entry-level Cooper C 2-Door with John Cooper Works suspension and upgraded brakes while keeping its standard 161-horsepower engine.
What Is the Mini 1998 GT Edition?
Despite its name, the Mini 1998 GT Edition has nothing to do with the year 1998. The number refers to the displacement of its four-cylinder engine, which measures 1,998 cubic centimeters.
The special edition is also positioned as a spiritual successor to the sporty 1275 GT Edition from 1969 and the 2021 1499 GT.
Mini starts with the entry-level Cooper C 2-Door and adds a high-performance John Cooper Works suspension along with upgraded brakes. The powertrain remains unchanged, with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder producing 161 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque.
A seven-speed dual-clutch transmission is the only available gearbox, sending power to the front wheels now that the manual transmission is gone.
JCW Handling Without the Extra Power
The Mini 1998 GT Edition follows a formula similar to the approach historically used by the Corvette Grand Sport, which has paired chassis upgrades from the Z06 with the base Stingray’s powertrain.
That kind of middle-ground approach is uncommon in the automotive world. Porsche’s GTS models, for example, typically receive chassis upgrades along with at least a small horsepower increase.
Mini takes the concept further by effectively giving the Cooper C the handling hardware associated with a John Cooper Works hatch without upgrading the engine.
1998 GT Edition Exterior and Interior Upgrades
The special edition also receives distinctive exterior styling. It is finished in Midnight Black Metallic with an orange 1998 GT stripe running along the lower flanks and an orange GT badge on the rear.
John Cooper Works components on the front, side and rear winglets add further sporty details, while 17-inch JCW Sprint Spoke black wheels complete the exterior.
Inside, the Mini 1998 GT Edition features JCW Sport Seats upholstered in a combination of black Vescin and black knit materials. The heated three-spoke steering wheel carries a 1998 GT badge at its base.
The special-edition branding continues across the floor mats, door sills and center console.
Mini 1998 GT Edition Price and Availability
Mini says the special 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 U.S.
The Mini 1998 GT Edition starts at $36,875, before a $1,350 destination fee. That makes it $7,375 more expensive than the base Mini Cooper C, which starts at $29,500.
It 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 the value of its upgraded handling equipment.
