Skip advert
Advertisement

Mini Cooper S GT Edition – a modern-day Mini 1275GT?

Mini’s latest retro limited-edition car will only be available in France

Mini has created a special-edition Mini Cooper S as a tribute to its historic 1275GT model from the late 1960s. Sadly, the new Cooper S GT Edition will be limited to 150 and will only be available in France.

The GT Edition is mechanically identical to the 189bhp Cooper S with its 2-litre turbocharged engine and is available with either a six-speed manual gearbox or an optional seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. What differentiates the GT Edition from a normal three-door Cooper S is a set of purely cosmetic changes.

Advertisement - Article continues below

> Read our review of the Mini Cooper S

Like the Mini Clubman 1275GT built between 1969 and 1980, the new GT Edition sports a set of stripes down each side, just above the sills. Unlike the original Mini GT, however, the new car also has stripes along the bonnet and down the boot.

The grey and red decals contrast with the new car’s metallic black paint and match the car’s red door mirrors and roof – not that there’s much of a roof left as the GT Edition comes with a panoramic sunroof as standard.

To give it a thoroughly retro look, the Mini Cooper S GT Edition has a pair of spot lights on the front. But the rest of the standard equipment is modern Mini with 18-inch JCW alloy wheels and aero kit including a rear spoiler and prominent front lip.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Advertisement - Article continues below

Inside, the JCW parts continue with leather and Alcantara seats with integrated headrests. There are also sill plates with the GT logo on them and lights that project the letters onto the floor when the door is open. Mini has also utilised its personalisation service, which usually allows you to create bespoke 3D-printed interior panels that display a name you have chosen for your car, by creating a dash insert with GT Limited Edition inscribed on it.

The Cooper S GT Edition isn’t the first time a modern Mini has tried to capture the spirit of the old 1275GT – in the UK Mini released the 1499GT. Based on the Mini One, with its small 101bhp, 1199cc three-cylinder engine, the 1499GT, like the French-only GT, was little more than some stickers, some spot lights and a few desirable options. However, although it was far from perfect, the 1499GT had a sense of joy that has been missing from the supposedly sportier models in the range. Maybe, with a similar attitude as the 1499GT but with more power, this latest Mini Cooper S GT Edition has the potential to be even more fun.

> Find out exactly what we thought about the Mini 1499GT

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

The Hyundai i20 N is dead; we take it for one last drive
Hyundai i20 N – front
Features

The Hyundai i20 N is dead; we take it for one last drive

We take the now-discontinued Hyundai i20 N for a farewell drive. It truly is a modern hot hatch great
7 Dec 2024
Renault Sport Clio 182 Trophy (2005) review – an all-time great hot hatch
Renault Sport Clio 182 Trophy
In-depth reviews

Renault Sport Clio 182 Trophy (2005) review – an all-time great hot hatch

The ultimate Clio 182 came close to hot hatch perfection, and is one of the most significant performance cars launched in evo's lifetime
4 Dec 2024
Vauxhall Astra GSe 2025 review – a hybrid you'd live with rather than live for
Vauxhall Astra GSe
Reviews

Vauxhall Astra GSe 2025 review – a hybrid you'd live with rather than live for

Vauxhall’s hybrid-powered Astra range-topper looks the part. Don’t be deceived…
2 Dec 2024
BMW M135 xDrive 2025 review – all-wheel drive hot hatch eyes Audi S3
BMW M135
Reviews

BMW M135 xDrive 2025 review – all-wheel drive hot hatch eyes Audi S3

The M135 has lost an ‘i’ and gained chassis revisions and a restyle. Is it enough to make it a benchmark hot hatch?
30 Nov 2024
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Best Jaguars – big cats that defined the breed
The best Jaguars
Best cars

Best Jaguars – big cats that defined the breed

As Jaguar stares down the barrel of a polarising new era, it’d do well not to forget some of the brilliance from its past. We list Jag’s modern greats…
6 Dec 2024
BMW M135 xDrive 2025 review – all-wheel drive hot hatch eyes Audi S3
BMW M135
Reviews

BMW M135 xDrive 2025 review – all-wheel drive hot hatch eyes Audi S3

The M135 has lost an ‘i’ and gained chassis revisions and a restyle. Is it enough to make it a benchmark hot hatch?
30 Nov 2024
2024’s best performance cars battle it out – car pictures of the week
evo Car of the Year 2024 lineup
Features

2024’s best performance cars battle it out – car pictures of the week

A little taste of eCoty 2024 to whet the pallet is the subject of this week’s car pictures
8 Dec 2024