The MINI 1998 GT Edition is Retro, But Not The Way You Think it Is

MINI has unveiled the sixth installment in its ongoing "Icon Drops" campaign: the 2027 MINI 1998 GT Edition. The limited-run model revives the brand's GT lineage (a tradition tracing back to the 1969 Mini 1275 GT and the more recent 2021 MINI 1499 GT) where the model name reflects precise engine displacement rather than model year or peak output.

The 1998 GT Edition is built on the current F66-generation Cooper 2-Door platform. Under the hood sits the standard turbocharged 2.0-liter (1,998 cc) four-cylinder engine, delivering 161 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.

Rather than adding straight-line horsepower, MINI focused the edition package on visual and tactile enhancements derived from the John Cooper Works (JCW) catalogue.

Standard Equipment & Design Upgrades

• Exterior Styling: The exterior is finished exclusively in Midnight Black Metallic paired with a black roof and mirror caps. Bold orange lower-body side graphics feature "1998 GT" lettering, complemented by dedicated "GT" badging.
• Aero & Wheels: The car features a gloss black JCW aerodynamic kit, including aggressive front, side, and rear winglet extensions, a roof spoiler, and 17-inch JCW Sprint Spoke Black alloy wheels fitted with custom center caps.
• Cabin & Interior Detail: Standard cabin equipment includes JCW Sport Seats trimmed in Black Vescin synthetic leather with black knit inserts. Drivers interface with a heated three-spoke JCW steering wheel with GT badging and steering wheel-mounted shift paddles.
• Edition-Specific Accents: The GT theme extends to custom door entry sills, floor mats with GT-embroidered details, a GT key fob cap, and an embossed lid for the center console storage box.

Pricing and Market Placement

The package places the 1998 GT Edition at a premium price point within the lineup. At $36,875 before destination, it is priced $7,375 higher than the base Cooper and sits above the standard Cooper S ($32,800) which offers a higher-output 201-hp tune of the same engine. However, it remains below the flagship John Cooper Works variant, which starts at $38,900.

Production for the 1998 GT Edition begins in October 2026, with initial U.S. dealership deliveries scheduled to start in November 2026.