MINI has turned its Cooper C into a limited-edition driver's car with John Cooper Works hardware, but without adding any horsepower.
MINI is continuing its special-edition Icon Drops series, and the sixth model is the 1998 GT Edition. Despite the name, the number has nothing to do with the year 1998.
Instead, 1998 refers to the engine's displacement: 1,998 cc. That's the same naming approach MINI used for earlier GT models.
The story dates back to 1969, when Mini introduced the 1275 GT. Its name also referenced engine displacement, while the car was positioned as a more affordable, driver-focused alternative to the Cooper S.
MINI revived the idea in 2020 with the 1499 GT, named after its 1,499-cc engine. The new 1998 GT is the third model to follow that formula, pairing relatively modest power with a more serious chassis.
The new special edition is based on the two-door MINI Cooper C.
Under the hood is the familiar 2.0-liter turbocharged B48 four-cylinder. It produces 161 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque, meaning the powertrain is unchanged from the regular Cooper C.
There is no Cooper S engine here, and MINI didn't borrow the full John Cooper Works powertrain, either.
The engine is paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Paddle shifters are included, although the same transmission is also available in the regular Cooper C.
The biggest changes are underneath.
MINI fitted the 1998 GT with suspension components from the John Cooper Works, along with the more powerful JCW brake system. Those upgrades are intended to make the car sharper and more engaging through corners despite its relatively modest output.
The result is an unusual combination: the engine from the entry-level model paired with the chassis hardware of a considerably more performance-oriented MINI.
That's precisely the point, according to MINI. The 1998 GT isn't about winning drag races. Instead, the focus is on handling, braking, and the character of the car on winding roads.
The exterior has also been designed to give the special edition a more serious JCW-inspired appearance.
The 1998 GT is available exclusively as a two-door and only in Midnight Black Metallic. The black body is contrasted by GT graphics and JCW aerodynamic components.
The car gets front, side, and rear aerodynamic extensions, along with 17-inch JCW Sprint Spoke Black wheels.
Inside, the 1998 GT features JCW sport seats trimmed in black Vescin with fabric inserts. The driver gets a heated three-spoke JCW steering wheel with paddle shifters.
An exclusive 1998 GT emblem is mounted on the steering wheel.
MINI has also added special floor mats, door-sill plates, center-console details, and even bespoke key covers.
In other words, the car makes a convincing visual attempt to look like a full-fledged JCW, even though its engine remains completely standard.
That makes the pricing particularly interesting.
In the U.S., the MINI 1998 GT starts at $36,875 before the destination charge. MINI adds another $1,350 for destination, bringing the starting price to $38,225.
And that's where things get interesting.
A regular Cooper S with 201 horsepower costs about $4,075 less, despite having the more powerful engine.
The full John Cooper Works model, with its 228-horsepower engine, costs only slightly more than the 1998 GT.
That means buyers aren't really paying extra for performance numbers. They're paying for the combination of limited availability, JCW hardware, and a name rooted in MINI history.
That's exactly how MINI wants the car to be viewed. The 1998 GT is intended to echo older versions of the brand that weren't built solely around chasing maximum horsepower.
The original 1275 GT wasn't the most powerful Mini of its era, either. Its engine produced roughly 60 horsepower, but the car became known for its sportier setup, compact dimensions, and distinctive handling.
The 1275 GT also stood out with a revised front end inspired by the Clubman and a more driver-focused interior. The tachometer and additional gauges were positioned directly in front of the driver, an unusual arrangement for the classic Mini.
The modern 1998 GT follows the same basic formula at a much higher technical level: don't necessarily give the car the most powerful engine in the lineup, but give it a more serious chassis and put the emphasis on driving enjoyment.
MINI isn't revealing an exact production number, saying only that the 1998 GT will be built in limited quantities.
U.S. orders are already open, with the first cars expected to arrive at dealerships in fall 2026.
The 1998 GT is the sixth of eight special editions planned for the Icon Drops series. MINI has two more models to reveal before the program is complete, with the next one scheduled to debut in October.
By MINI standards, the 1998 GT is an unusual proposition. It's less powerful than the Cooper S and significantly down on power compared with the JCW, yet it borrows the latter's chassis hardware and costs almost as much.
That's also what makes it interesting. The 1998 GT isn't really about horsepower or straight-line acceleration. It's MINI's attempt to bring back the old GT philosophy, where the driving experience—and what happens when the road starts to twist—matters more than the biggest engine in the lineup.