In most respects, the 2005 Mini Cooper Convertible mirrors the Cooper hatchback when it comes to drivability. Tidy dimensions and a taut suspension make for point-and-shoot handling and a great, go-kart feel from behind the wheel.

The standard 115-horsepower, 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine likes to spin, and can be wound out from zero to 60 mph in 8.9 seconds, topping off at 121 mph. That performance is achieved with the five-speed manual transmission, which half of all Mini buyers are choosing. Automatic-equipped models take a more leisurely 10.2 seconds for the trip to 60 mph, with a lower top end of 112 mph.

In spirited driving, the standard engine is best kept on the boil by stirring the stick often. The trick is not to be caught with your revs down, and, as with most small displacement engines, passing takes planning. On the highway, the Mini Cooper Convertible cruises 70 mph at 3,300 rpm in high gear, and the engine is frugal with a pint of petrol. The EPA rates the convertible at 27-mpg city and 35-mpg highway.

The supercharged, intercooled, 1.6-liter four-banger in Cooper S models packs a little more punch this year. Modifications to the blower, gear ratios and exhaust system bump the horsepower to 168 at 6,000 rpm, five more than last year. For 2005, the Cooper S Convertible runs from 0-60 in 7.0 seconds flat, with a top end of 138 mph. It, too, likes to rev, and the harder you run through the six-speed gearbox, the faster you feel the added muscle.

Put simply, the standard motor with five-speed manual is fine for all standard motoring. Enthusiasts or those who possess a lead foot will appreciate the blower's added boost.

Photography: © Dan Lyons 2004