The Same, Only Better

Climbing into the MINI Cooper is much like climbing into the Audi TT; there's no centre armrest to brace oneself against. Vehicles without this much anticipated ingress aid ought to be clearly marked with a warning

Its supercharged 1.6-litre (98 cu in) 4-banger has been enriched with an extra five ponies for a total output of 168-horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 162 pound-feet of torque at 4,000 rpm. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press)

sticker big enough to be viewed from across the street. I jest of course, but the absence of a centre armrest sticks in my craw like nylon to Velcro, especially when the offending vehicle is a pricey import.

Although an armrest isn't one of the gains for 2005, horsepower is, but only in the Cooper S. Its supercharged 1.6-litre (98 cu in) 4-banger has been enriched with an extra five ponies for a total output of 168-horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 162 pound-feet of torque at 4,000 rpm. Also on the 'credit' side of the balance sheet are new headlights and taillights, plus a revised front fascia and grille. Under the debit column is the MINI's roof, which is gone. For 2005 the MINI is available as a convertible, featuring a power-retractable fabric roof.

The drop-top arrangement is really quite a slick design, which can be partially retracted to create a sunroof effect over the front seats or opened fully to expose all four seating positions to the sun, stars, and wind - of which there is plenty. This isn't one of those cabriolets that

Legroom in the two-person rear bench is crushing. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press)

minimizes buffeting and hair repositioning with the use of pop-up screens and turbulence-reducing roll bars. Expect a full-on hurricane at high speeds, making music hard to hear and complaints from rear seat passengers even harder. But if it's wind in the cheeks and go-cart performance that puts a smile on your face, the MINI Cooper S convertible will stretch your kisser ear to ear, it's just that much fun.

Unfortunately practicality sometimes impedes upon fun, and in the MINI, practical impediments can be severe. Legroom in the two-person rear bench is crushing unless the front seats are moved far forward, more so than I as a long-legged driver can tolerate.