What is the reaction time going to be like ? Most people do not like to wait for a car to start once the light turns green. How long will the car have to be stopped before the enging shuts off ? Is this going to cause more wear and tear on the engine and other moving parts. One little defect, car does not start back up = pissed off owner and pissed off motorists behind them. This technology is going to reely need to be proven out, and cheap parts will not suffice with this system. Luxury brands will probably be able to use the best of the best parts, but what about GM, Ford & Chrysler ? These folks are famous for buying parts from the lowest bidder, and many times there electronic issues don't show up for 1 to 2 years later. (Example: Ford and their burning ignition switches)

Props to Mini for getting this. I think Mini's are really cool. If I didn't need something with awd and a little bigger, I'd probably get one.

The start/stop technology will probably be a huge hassle due to wear and tear, but increased mpg is the latest fad so a couple extra grand in repairs over the lifetime of the vehicle is likely to be overlooked by most consumers.

There is almost no wait time for the engine to start back up. This isn't anything really new. A low tech version of this is has been used in used in golf carts and industrial equipment for 30 years. Its about time automakers started using it.

I already do this manually on the way to work.
Everytime I stop at lights I turn off the motor. It usually doesn't take that many many minutes to get it started again when the lights turn green.
I have calculated that I save $0.50 on the way to work each day.
The people behind me really appreciate my efforts to save the environment and fuel by sounding their horns in appreciation.

"Everytime I stop at lights I turn off the motor."

See, I've never driven a car that uses stop-start, but I'm assuming that they use something to avoid the waste that occurs when you actually turn the ignition. You burn a lot of excess fuel when you start a car and they have to do something to prevent that or else stop-start would waste fuel instead of saving it.

I already do this manually on the way to work.
Everytime I stop at lights I turn off the motor. It usually doesn't take that many many minutes to get it started again when the lights turn green.
I have calculated that I save $0.50 on the way to work each day.
The people behind me really appreciate my efforts to save the environment and fuel by sounding their horns in appreciation.

ROTFL, is this guy kidding? He's got to be kidding lol.

I have a '07 Honda Civic Hybrid that does this. It only does it when the engine has reached a certain temperature though. Plus it uses the electric engine to turn the motor and has 2 spark plugs per cylinder. Its my understanding that if the engine is made to do this, there is little to no abnormal wear on the engine.

there's only worse wear and tear when the oil is not of operating temperature.