It's been 40 years since the Mini-Cooper first stopped being offered in the United States. But it's now been five years, including the past years of the current redesign, since the vehicle's U.S. reappearance. And just like yesteryear, the pint-sized car is as easy like now as it was when it debuted in England in 1959.

The Mini's recent global resurgence was greatly enhanced in the film The Italian Job (2003). And that jolt was perhaps only outdone by the debut of the Mini's first convertible in 2005.

And yet what could top that in 2006? How about the John Cooper Works (named after the car's deceased original namesake) and/or the Checkmate Package?

The former is a tuning kit which increases the S models from 168 to 207  horsepower and upgrades the brakes and slip differential. The Checkmate Package for the hatchback model includes larger wheels, an antiskid system, plus a black-and-white checkered roof and side-modeling graphics and sports seats.

The new Mini-Cooper has been universally praised, and it's received "Recommended" status for various publications, including Consumer Guide, which stated:

"Minis may look like economy cars, but they're actually sporty driving machines. The base model has no surplus of power and every model's driving dynamics are comprised by a harsh ride on imperfect pavement. But these hatchback and convertibles are reasonably priced, brim with character and are available with a dizzying array of personalizing accessories. Any version is Recommended sporty car pick."

My recent weekly test driver was the S model convertible, one four non-special option models available. It has a standard, supercharged 168 horsepower, 4-cylinder engine, antilock, four-wheel disc brakes, and as a convertible front side airbags that protect passengers' heads and torsos.

Like its debut last year, the Mini convertible for 2006 combines the fun of driving
a vehicle that's among the smallest in the United States, but that doesn't seem small. And like the 2005 model, the '06 version has a 97.1-inch wheelbase and an overall length of 143.1 inches — the shortest sports performance vehicle offered in this country.

It's no surprise my impression of the '06 model is the same as the '05 version. Driving on the freeway (or anywhere else), doesn't include any notion of inferiority. Rather, the Mini is akin to confident terrier who can hold his own among bigger dogs.

In addition to its surprising size, the Mini's steering and handling is superior. It maneuvers extraordinarily well in freeway traffic or in tight, in-city scenarios, and the Mini stops ideally.

The dominating oversized inferior features from 2005 remain in '06, including the signature huge speedometer in the middle of the dash. It's as big as wall clock, and it's cool. All door handles and side panel beams featured tube-like configurations. The windows and other automatic functions are engaged with bullet-style toggle switches on the dash. They're separated by hip-looking black, metal rings.  It all just further adds to the car's cool retro look.

Another great Mini feature is the automatic convertible top. Push a button between the windshield visor the top goes up or down with an efficient, smooth three-step process.

The Mini-Cooper S convertible has a suggested base price of $25,400. Several individual and packaged options are available, which in my test vehicle included: 17-inch alloy wheels ($600), white bonnet body striping ($100), interior chrome ($200) and a Harmon-Kardon sound system ($550). Add the $550 destination charge and the final tariff is more than $27,000.

That's not a bargain. But if you enjoy driving for the sake of driving, and particularly if you're keen on sports car, it's hard to find anything wrong with the Mini-Cooper.

2006 Mini Cooper: The Weekly Driver

Safety Features — dual front and front-side impact airbags

Fuel Mileage (estimates) — 25 mpg (city), 32 mpg (highway).

Warranty — Bumper-to-bumper, 4 years/50,000 miles; Corrosion, 12 years/unlimited mileage; roadside assistance, 4 years/50,000 miles.

Base Price — $25,400.00