Skip advert
Advertisement

Mini 1499GT review – It isn’t powerful and it isn’t fast, but is it fun?

Based on the basic Mini One, this limited edition hatch has real credibility

Evo rating
Price
from £16,990
  • Fun and respectable chassis
  • Weak engine, mismatched gearing considering the car’s attitude

Take a small car with a tiny, low-powered engine, then kit it out with a sharper, more focussed chassis to create an accessible and fun car that you don’t need a job in The City to insure. It’s a theory Peugeot put into practice in the ’80s and ’90s with its smaller Rallye models, but the concept has gone out of fashion as hot hatches have got bigger and more powerful. Until recently, that is. VW’s Up GTI is a refreshingly small, cheap but joyful car, the Renault Twingo GT has a similarly fun attitude, and now Mini wants a slice of the action with its 1499GT.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Based on the three-door Mini One, the 1499GT uses the basic car’s three-cylinder 1499cc engine (hence part of its name), and is equipped with the firm’s Sport Chassis. Its name, as well as the stripes down the sills, are familiar to Mini connoisseurs as they hark back to the 1275GT Cooper replacement from the ’70s.

> Mini hatchback review

The new car is a limited edition model, but rather than curtailing production at an arbitrary number Mini has chosen to make 1499 of the GT to really make the most of the name it’s given it.

Engine, transmission and 0-60mph

With humble Mini One origins, the 1499GT’s engine doesn’t seem all that impressive, but then, that’s kind of the point. Its 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder motor only just breaks the three-figure power threshold with 101bhp, while torque is at 140lb ft. Having over 100bhp, however, hasn’t helped the 1499GT slip under the 10 second 0-62mph threshold, completing the industry-standard dash in 10.1sec.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Advertisement - Article continues below

More reviews

Group tests
In-depth reviews
Long term tests
Review
Reviews

The transmission is as basic as possible, with a manual six-speed gearbox driving the front wheels only through an open differential, just as it does in the ordinary Mini One manual.

> VW UP GTI review

Technical highlights

Where the 1499GT really differs from a regular One is its chassis, which is fitted with the sports suspension package – usually a £150 option on Mini hatches, apart from the John Cooper Works where it is standard. The 1499GT also comes on performance 205/45 17 Dunlop SportMaxx RT2 tyres.

Advertisement - Article continues below

To give the 1499GT a sporty appearance to match its chassis, Mini has added the JCW styling kit, clear indicators, and black 17-inch alloy wheels to its exterior, as well as the retro gold side stripes. Inside there’s sports seats, black details and a JCW steering wheel. The spotlights and Union Jack mirror caps of our test car were optional extras.

What’s it like to drive?

There’s no point in skirting around the subject, the Mini One drivetrain in the 1499GT is a long way from being a pleasure to use. It sounds thrummy and old fashioned, seems to take an age to rev and doesn’t possess the necessary shove to make the car feel in the remotest bit sporty in a straight line. There could be some ancient 1920s motorbike engine under the bonnet, for all its worth.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Advertisement - Article continues below

> Mini Cooper S review

That said, if you use full throttle when the engine happens to be at around 1500 to 2000rpm there is a distinct surge forwards, but that force rapidly diminishes and is totally untraceable at higher revs or smaller throttle openings.

Some exceptionally high gearing, tailored towards economy, exaggerates the engine’s lack of grunt. The 1499GT’s impressive official combined 57.6mpg suggests the ratios do their job, but some low sprint-style gearing would really help the 1499GT feel more sprightly.

Advertisement - Article continues below

It’s a good job then that the sports chassis and the performance tyres grant the 1499GT a respectability on twisty roads that some of the best, most focussed modern Minis have enjoyed.

> New Suzuki Swift Sport

The ride is just on the cusp of being too firm on UK roads. The chassis is noticeably tense and alive over bumps and crests, but it still filters out any really rough tarmac. With the tyres firmly in touch with the ground and the chassis providing a degree of comfort, you can make good progress. Well, as good progress as the engine will allow you to make.

With not a lot of power to work with, the 1499GT feels as though it needs to be driven with absolute commitment to maintain as much momentum around corners as possible. But the GT relishes being driven hard, and the front end resists understeer admirably. And, although it’s not exactly throttle-adjustable, the whole car is eager enough for it to feel as though the back end is helping guide you round corners.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Advertisement - Article continues below

Get too keen with your entry speeds (easy to do when you’re chasing every last drop of momentum) and the front will gently push into understeer. Even so, it stays composed and doesn’t snap into oversteer even if you shut the throttle abruptly. You can also use any understeer to help scrub off any extra speed – a driving style often cited as the quickest way to drive old Minis. So it isn’t just the stripes and styling of the 1499GT that’s retro.

Advertisement - Article continues below

> Ford Fiesta ST-Line review 

The thing is, because of its lack of power, no matter how much you push the 1499GT, you’re never really going all that fast. You can keep it on the legal side of the speed limit even when using full throttle a lot of the time. That’s useful, because eking out every last drop of performance from the car, and feeling it cope commendably with some hard driving, is a real pleasure. The chassis makes the 1499GT an enjoyable car, no matter how much the engine might try to ruin the fun.

Price, spec and rivals

At £16,990 the 1499GT is still cheaper than the most basic Cooper. It might be 33bhp down on the more expensive car, but with the sport suspension, JCW seats and steering wheel, and 17-inch wheels, the GT comes with some desirable equipment as standard. Plus, the 1499GT will be cheaper to insure.

The Ford Fiesta ST-line, with its 1-litre 138bhp three-cylinder engine, is, in concept, close to the Mini. However, although it has a more powerful engine, the Ford doesn’t possess an ST-like chassis; instead it feels more like a regular, not-so-sporty Fiesta. 

VW’s new Up GTI might be down on size compared to the Mini, but it’s low weight, greater power and much cheaper price (£13,750) make it a contender. It’s a fun, dependable car that’s certainly enjoyable to drive, even if it doesn’t cope quite as well as the Mini when really pushed hard.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

More on MINI

New MINI hatchback review
Mini Cooper S front
Reviews

New MINI hatchback review

Fashionable supermini retains its sense of fun, with improved practicality and economy
20 Aug 2015
MINI hatchback review - more tech, more efficient, but still fun
Mini Cooper S front
Mini Mini hatchback

MINI hatchback review - more tech, more efficient, but still fun

Fashionable supermini retains its sense of fun, with improved practicality and economy
20 Aug 2015
New Mini Cooper SD launched
Mini Cooper SD specs, pictures and UK prices
News

New Mini Cooper SD launched

Mini has launched the new 167bhp diesel Mini Cooper SD, as well as the basic 1.2-litre petrol-engined One. Details here
11 Jun 2014
Skip advert
Advertisement
Mini Cooper gallery
Mini Cooper at the Monte Carlo Rally: 50th anniversary
News

Mini Cooper gallery

Can you believe it is more than 50 years since the Mini Cooper won the Monte Carlo Rally? Here's a gallery for your enjoyment
24 Jan 2014
New Mini prices and specs
New 2014 Mini Cooper S yellow
News

New Mini prices and specs

The new 2014 Mini gets adjustable dampers, weight-saving tech, new turbo engines and a rev-matching manual gearbox, and it's bigger too
20 Nov 2013
Mini Cooper SD diesel review, price and specs
Mini Cooper SD red and black
Reviews

Mini Cooper SD diesel review, price and specs

We try the new Mini Cooper SD range, a brisk BMW diesel engine used in every mini, from hatchback to coupe, roadster to Paceman
16 Aug 2013
2013 Mini Clubvan Cooper D review and pictures
Mini Clubvan Cooper D
Reviews

2013 Mini Clubvan Cooper D review and pictures

The Clubvan is a commercial version of the Clubman estate. Can its driving experience compensate for its relative lack of practicality?
25 Feb 2013
New Mini Rocketman concept
New Mini Rocketman concept revealed
News

New Mini Rocketman concept

Mini has unveiled a new version of the Rocketman concept, to promote its involvement in the London 2012 Olympics.
15 Jun 2012
Mini Cooper Soho review
Mini Cooper Soho hatchback
Reviews

Mini Cooper Soho review

First drive in Mini's new Soho special edition, a Cooper with extra kit and a new splash of paint
17 Jan 2012
Skip advert
Advertisement
Mini Cooper S Red Plugger
Mini Cooper S Red Plugger concept
News

Mini Cooper S Red Plugger

Mini reveals the Cooper S Red Plugger, a rallying inspired concept car. News and pictures
24 May 2011
Rolls-Royce Mini revealed
Rolls-Royce Mini Inspired by Goodwood
News

Rolls-Royce Mini revealed

It's a Mini by Rolls Royce: The Mini Inspired by Goodwood gets 181bhp Cooper S power and an abundance of leather and wood
13 Apr 2011
Skip advert
Advertisement
Mini Rocketman news and video
Geneva 2011: 94mpg Mini Rocketman concept
News

Mini Rocketman news and video

Meet the funky, frugal and downright titchy Mini Rocketman, revealed at the 2011 Geneva motor show - pictures and video
3 Mar 2011
New Mini Rocketman
New Mini Rocketman concept
News

New Mini Rocketman

The New Mini finally becomes miniature - meet the funky, titchy Mini Rocketman
24 Feb 2011
2010 Mini Cooper S hatchback review
2010 Mini Cooper S hatchback
Reviews

2010 Mini Cooper S hatchback review

We try the new 181bhp Mini Cooper S hot hatchback. Is the new 1.6-litre turbo an improvement?
2 Sep 2010
Mini E road test review
Mini E electric charging up
Reviews

Mini E road test review

We drive the all-electric Mini E. A car you can live with? Harry Metcalfe reports.
27 Apr 2010
Skip advert
Advertisement
Electric Mini at the Nurburgring
Front 3/4
News

Electric Mini at the Nurburgring

Green Mini tackles the Green Hell - and gets round in under 10 minutes.
14 Apr 2010
Special Minis
Mini John Cooper Works World Championship 50
News

Special Minis

Mini announces three special editions - the Camden, Mayfair and JCW WC50
23 May 2009
500 Esseesse v Cooper S
Abarth Esseesse v Mini Cooper S
Group tests

500 Esseesse v Cooper S

The 500 Abarth has arrived in the UK, and in Esseesse form it packs 158bhp. Is it time for the Mini Cooper S to step aside?
14 Apr 2009
Mini Convertible
Videos

Mini Convertible

The latest Mini Cooper convertible has been further refined. Delivery of the first models is planned for March 2009
9 Feb 2009
Mini Cooper (2006)
Advice

Mini Cooper (2006)

Well built and slow to depreciate, the Mini Cooper makes a smart secondhand hot hatch buy
20 Jan 2009
Mini One Clubman
News

Mini One Clubman

Modern-day Mini Clubman available as £13k 1.4 petrol
19 Jan 2009
Skip advert
Advertisement
Electric Mini
Electric Mini
News

Electric Mini

BMW announces all-electric Mini to go on trial lease
20 Oct 2008
Electric Special: BMW Mini
News

Electric Special: BMW Mini

Hydrogen BMWs still some way off
22 Sep 2008