MotoringFile, after driving their new Countryman All4 MCS for a week in heatwave afflicted Chicago. Gabe notes:
With the air on the Countryman has a tendency to feel overly sluggish upon initial acceleration. In fact it’s so bad that I’ve actually stalled the car twice trying to match engine revs and the clutch take-up. Based on my previous experience it seems that this is a problem with the All4 and less with the front wheel drive models.
Speaking of the clutch, the engagement point is noticeably different (ie higher) than any MINI I’ve driven in the past. Worse yet, it’s more vague at the engagement point than I’m used to with other MINIs. It all seems odd knowing that it should be basically the same clutch found in all the other current MINI models. This combined with the engine being sluggish with the aircon has made me feel like a 16 y/o trying to drive a stick for the first time.
All [sic] that aside our Countryman is easily the best build MINI I’ve ever driven. From the materials to the feel MINI has created a distinctly premium feel with the R60.
