In the Countryman sales brochure, here in Australia, it says that the car will automatically switch the engine off if it's been idling for a long period of time so that the car will save gas. In order to restart the car, you just have to depress the clutch. Seems to me that this might be what happened with the CNET car as it was left to idle whilst the presenter talked about the engine. Maybe he should have read the instruction book before giving a critique on the vehicle......... Unless the build is somehow different in the USA.

 

That is probably what happened. He was just way too stupid to turn the ignition off and then back on before trying to start the car.

That guy had a hard on against BMW or Mini before he even got into that car. You could tell by the way he talked and acted that he had his mind made up before the test even began.

I have never talked to a Mini owner that did not love their car. (EVER) I'm sure the Countryman owners like their cars as much as I like my JCW.

 

US MINI's don't come with the engine stop/start at idle like they do in other countries, if this is what you are referring to

 

FoxNews gave a better review
http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2011/...hummer-minis/#

 

Thanks, NavyNUKE, that was a fun viewing and read.