Wednesday 11th October 2017

Mini 1499 GT announced

Desperate to buy a 1275 GT reimagined for the 21st century? You might have to make do with this...

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Cashing in on brand heritage seems to be en vogue for manufacturers these days. Sometimes they get it right, and sometimes not so much. But now it's Mini's turn to try and pull a fast one - or not-so-fast one, as the case may be - in the form of the new 1499 GT.

Yep, nailed it

It's apparently a nod to one of the best known sporty classic Minis of all time, the 1275 GT, and, according to Mini, "recalls the entertaining drive, distinctive styling and low running costs of the 1969 original." To that end the 1499 GT has a 102hp, three-cylinder turbo engine, getting it from 0-60mph in 10.1 seconds - or only 2.8 seconds faster than the 60s version. There're your low running costs then.

Distinctive styling comes in the form of the JCW Sport Pack, which includes black 17-inch Track Spoke alloys, JCW bumpers front and rear, JCW side skirts and a split level spoiler. There will be a choice of two colour combos: Pepper White with black side stripes, or Midnight Black with the same decals in gold. And inside you'll find partial leather JCW sports seats, a perforated leather JCW steering wheel with red stitching, and a smattering of JCW badges. Just in case the message hadn't made its way through.

Finally, in a bid to fulfil the promise of an entertaining drive, the six-speed manual gearbox - with rev matching - and all-round disc brakes of the standard Mini One are joined here by sports suspension.

The 1499 GT will be built in a limited production run of just 1,499 cars, with on the road pricing starting from £16,990, a £3,000 premium over standard Mini One. But don't all rush off to buy one at once. For £2,000 less you could have this original 1275 GT from the classifieds, or for a £3,000 saving you could find yourself in, you guessed it, an actual Mini JCW.

 

[Fetchez la vache]

I don't think Scalextric will be producing a version with a red and yellow one of these any time soon tbh...

[tankplanker]

Wasted opportunity to put in the hotter 1.5 out of the BMW i8

[GiveItSomeWellie]

I read this elsewhere this morning and thought it seemed cheap, just realised they're basing it on the One, not the Cooper

[culpz]

I literally can't tell the difference between this and the JCW kit, apart from the decals on the side.

[J4CKO]

GiveItSomeWellie said:

I read this elsewhere this morning and thought it seemed cheap, just realised they're basing it on the One, not the Cooper

It is basically doing exactly what the original did, a sporty Mini that wasnt a Cooper, bit cheaper, still looks good, bit less power but still fun.This is based I think on the normal Cooper, which is a 1.5 3 cyl, the one is a 1.2 3 cyl and the Cooper S a 2 litre 4 cyl.

I think this is a Detuned Cooper 1.5 engine, they are normally 136 bhp, but will respond well to a remap, so the possibility is to buy this and then get it mapped at nearer 170 bhp.

[BuzzBravado]

culpz said:

I literally can't tell the difference between this and the JCW kit, apart from the decals on the side.

I literally can't tell the difference between this and the original 1275GT. Clearly a lot of time has gone into it the clubnose.

[Hammy98]

Marketing exercise, same as the Park Lane, Checkmate etc.

I think they're missing a trick not doing a lightweight version (2 seats?) with the 1.5 3cyl pushing 160bhp-ish, JCW suspension and some Cup 2s. No doubt it would be nearly the same price as the Cooper S, but if priced appropriately I could see that being a good weekend toy.

[Justin Case]

Reassuring to see that there is a split level spoiler to keep all of that 102 BHP glued to the tarmac

[j90gta]

Back in the late 70's my sister had a Brazilia metallic 1275GT with gold decals. It had tinted glass; rode on 12" Cosmic alloys; the headlining was brown and the seat fabric even had metallic flecks in it (seriously it wasn't as bad as it sounds!). It was surprisingly quick. She sold it to friend who wrote it off within 2 weeks....

[TwigtheWonderkid]

tankplanker said:

Wasted opportunity to put in the hotter 1.5 out of the BMW i8

I suspect they've done loads of research and have concluded that this will sell better. They are in business to make cars to sell for a profit. If their research tells them that a 102bhp version will sell better than a higher priced more powerful version, then that's what they'll make.

[ajprice]

According to this https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/mini-1... the detuned 1.5 is replacing the 1.2 engine.

[GTEYE]

Hmm interesting that they've based it on the One...far from the most popular Mini...and the fact that the 1.2 is being ditched more or less confirms.

I would have thought the Cooper mechanical spec would have been a more appealing starting point....but I'm sure they know what they are doing.

Edited by GTEYE on Wednesday 11th October 11:20

[PistonBroker]

The original was a car I dreamt of owning when I was a kid - my childminder's boyfriend had a brown one on white Wellers and with Corbeau buckets but I wanted mine in the nice light metallic blue they did and on 12" Minilites.

But this one doesn't excite me in the slightest. Whilst I understand where the 1499 comes from, it's not quite as catchy is it?!

Less likely to require my Dad to clear his garage out so it could go up on axle stands in readiness for the mobile welder, mind! :-p

[loudlashadjuster]

Something a bit off with the scaling here...



Given the relative placing of the cars, this would be more accurate

[tigger1]

loudlashadjuster said:

Something a bit off with the scaling here...

It's all perspective tricks - the new one is actually parked 15 feet BEHIND the old one!

<Ted> Small. Far away. </Ted.

[dandarez]

I don't particularly like the new Minis, nor this. I prefer the old R56 shape. Although do like the new seats - make my JCW's suck, as I went standard rather than pay MINI's price for the Recaro's.

However, what a write-up on the 1499 GT. to say things like
'...getting it from 0-60mph in 10.1 seconds - or only 2.8 seconds faster than the 60s version.'

Oh dear.
The 1275 GT never got into any customer's hands until into 1970 (so it's a 70's car).
And the 'original' car weighed 655kg, the new Mini weighs probably twice that, probably more!

[TwigtheWonderkid]

PistonBroker said:

Whilst I understand where the 1499 comes from, it's not quite as catchy is it?!

I don't see why 1275 is catchier that 1499. Only because you're used to 1275.

[Glasgowrob]

really want to like this


but 102bhp its laughably underpowered.

[PistonBroker]

TwigtheWonderkid said:

PistonBroker said:

Whilst I understand where the 1499 comes from, it's not quite as catchy is it?!

I don't see why 1275 is catchier that 1499. Only because you're used to 1275.

Good point.

[Trophy Husband]

I had a dark green 1275GT (previously red), FND 22V with twin 40's and a blue printed engine. It was a hoot to drive on SPAX adjustables. This 'effort' is just an effort. My little thing would pan it down the lanes all day long. Couldn't get up to much in the back seat though!! Where is it now?