2005 MINI Cooper Road Test

While still available with a Rover-sourced Steptronic 'paddle-shift' CVT gearbox, the biggest mechanical change to

The biggest mechanical change to the Cooper for 2005 is that the Rover-Peugeot derived five-speed manual gearbox has been swapped out for a new Getrag unit. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

the Cooper for 2005 is on the manual end: the Rover-Peugeot derived five-speed gearbox has been swapped out for a new Getrag unit. While one of the sweetest-shifting transmissions in a car I've ever driven, the old gearbox was geared far too tall, hampering progress in higher gears. In order to give the Cooper extra kick, reduce fuel consumption and maximize the most of the less than ideal 1.6-liter Chrysler-sourced inline-four, the new gearbox was put in place featuring much shorter ratios.

Off the line the Tritec 1.6-liter inline-four's 115 horsepower and 110 lb-ft of torque punt the 2,524 pound Cooper to 60 mph in 9.0 seconds, an improvement over last year's model by 0.1 seconds. But the real improvement isn't felt off the line. Once at speed the Cooper is punchier and more willing to get up and go when called upon. MINI's specs state that final gear acceleration from 50 to 70 mph takes 13.4 seconds, about a second shorter than

The Tritec 1.6-liter inline-four's 115 horsepower and 110 lb-ft of torque punt the Cooper to 60 mph in 9.0 seconds. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

last year's model. In reality the Cooper feels much quicker than the figures suggest. Quick enough, actually, to make it downright fun, even in a straight line. Aside from being slightly notchy, the transmission's short throw is precise.

Far more interesting than the Cooper's engine is its chassis, which unsurprisingly escaped change. While small cars are supposed to be fun to drive because of light curb weights, it's rare to experience one that involves the driver quite like the MINI's does. It gave me the opportunity to partake in the action of a sharp right hander, and motivated me to execute a sweeping bend by changing the cornering line with both the steering and the throttle.