MINI 1499 GT – special edition One unveiled for the UK

MINI 1499 GT – special edition One unveiled for the UK

It may seem borderline asinine to commemorate the sportiest Mini of the 1970s, the 1275 GT, with a special edition of the company’s cheapest and slowest model, but that’s exactly what MINI has done. The 1499 GT, as it’s called, is essentially a MINI One 3 Door hatch that’s been given a smattering of extras on top.

Available in either Pepper White or Midnight Black, the car is differentiated through a contrasting side stripes in black or gold respectively. Also fitted is the John Cooper Works Sport Pack that adds more aggressive front and rear bumpers, deeper side skirts, a split tailgate spoiler, black 17-inch Track Spoke alloy wheels, dark tinted windows and white indicator lenses instead of amber.

Inside, there are sports seats upholstered in leather and Dinamica microfibre, a JCW multifunction steering wheel with Chilli Red stitching, cruise control and a Visual Boost radio with MINI Connected smartphone connectivity. You’ll also find piano black trim, Carbon Black interior details and Anthracite headlining, along with JCW-branded door sill scuff plates.

Under the bonnet, the 1499 GT debuts a new 1.5 litre TwinPower Turbo three-cylinder petrol engine – essentially a detuned version of the Cooper’s mill, Autocar reports – mated to a six-speed manual transmission. The three-pot only makes a scant 102 hp, mind, so the zero-to-100 km/h sprint still takes a yawning 10.1 seconds. A sports suspension is fitted here, but otherwise the mechanicals are unchanged.

The MINI 1499 GT will only be offered for sale in the United Kingdom, limited to, you guessed it, 1,499 units – each priced from £16,990 (RM94,600). The order books are currently open, with a production run stretching from November until February.

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Jonathan Lee

After trying to pursue a career in product design, Jonathan Lee decided to make the sideways jump into the world of car journalism instead. He therefore appreciates the aesthetic appeal of a car, but for him, the driving experience is still second to none.

 

Comments

  • The Mini One doesn’t even deserve its name let alone its existence

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 2
    • This is mean for classic edition … not fast car

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
    • 4G63T DSM on Oct 13, 2017 at 10:25 am

      BMW should make the Kelisa.

      It was closer in spirit to the Original Mini than the New one could ever be.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • takNakP1 on Oct 12, 2017 at 10:22 pm

    if this is the price sell in Malaysia, we might be seeing many on the road

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • Tidur Oh Tidur on Oct 12, 2017 at 10:25 pm

    If it ever comes here, it will be RM300k….crazy prices. I think we will never see our 30% car price reduction promise. Kena tipu

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 16
    • Yes. The higher the better. Its to keep it exclusive from the likes of u cheapskate.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 14 Thumb down 8
    • Wait a darn minute. When reduced prices, u pulak hentam no RV. So mana mau ni?
      Which world u came from that has bog standard cars RV higher than purchase price?

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 16 Thumb down 9
      • Tidur Oh Tidur on Oct 13, 2017 at 8:37 am

        How to believe from a person who says
        1) Malaysia got cheapest car prices in the world
        2) Malaysia got cheapest petrol prices in the world
        3) Malaysia got free parking

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 10
  • Ben Yap on Oct 13, 2017 at 9:22 am

    a yawning 10.1 seconds really makes me yawn. give the mini a 1 second lead and the civic turbo can still beat it.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 1
  • It seems the sales of Mini One must be really slow, this so-called commemoration model is just to sell a few more units of the One.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

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