All that ones that have been posted are much nicer than what used to be offered. I was thinking of the wood like in that Lexus pic. That is horrendous.
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It's tedious to make. It's not as simple as slapping on a dark stain on wood and a clear coat. It's a multi step process. It looks nice, but it's a dust and fingerprint magnet.
Looks good. I wish their F line cars carried similar elegance instead of the red interiors and whatnot.
Last I checked on the Designo page, it's still mentioned. I didn't know about the granite trim until about a month ago when I was going through old forum posts on another site. I'm going to say they came up with the idea to crank more money out of a certain people who have bad taste in design hailing from "newly" rich oil nations, if you catch my drift.
Anyway, MBZ does a nice burl walnut wood trim that looks fantastic. Unfortunately, since not all trim is the same, you need to check between cars on the lot fitting your preferred option and pick out the best burl pattern, if you're anal about stuff like that.
My grandfather did a lot of working later in life, and when he moved to the North Carolina mountains in the early '90s a friend of his in the construction business supplied my grandfather with a LOT of "green' high end logs that my grandfather then had quarter sawn and hand picked for his own projects. When he gave up wood working and moved out of his home in North Carolina, he actually sold a not insignificant amount of white oak, cherry, and wormy chestnut for big bucks.
In any case, when he was building a project he'd often choose his remnants carefully. A knife or gun grip maker might pay $50 or better for a small section(think 2" with a 2x4 cross section) of an especially attractive piece of burl walnut or similarly ornamental wood. Wormy chestnut was in vogue for a while as a "rustic" wood and he sold a LOT of remnants of it.
Of course, most car trim is a fairly thin veneer so a decent sized piece goes a long way.
To me, a lot has to do with the car. I had a friend who had a 2000 Corolla where someone had added a wood trim kit to it-I spent a weekend helping him remove it.
To me, however, a Jaguar looks wrong without a burl walnut dash and Connolly leather-the former is hard to find on current projection, and the latter is-I don't think-even offered.
To me, a lot of current interiors go overboard on brushed aluminum/stainless, a look that often doesn't appeal to me. To each their own, however.
The Germans stopped doing veneers in the traditional sense a long time ago. They would easily damage. The current trend is using a quarter inch thick piece of wood or slightly thinner in total profile size and going from there. They don't crack as easily in hot climate areas, add some sound proofing and reduce squeakiness when they contract or expand. The beauty of this method is you can take it to a dealer and have them swap it out with new stock or whatever. You pay a pretty penny, but if the dealer messes something up, they'll pay for it and eat the fees involved. An Indie or even you won't be able to do it perfectly.
And as someone who has a small "woodshop" for fun, a small piece of wood or whatever can go a long way. Provided the wood isn't diseased and dried out correctly, certain pieces can fetch much more than other pieces. Similar to home remodeling, if you've ever gone with marble/granite/quartz tile for your bathroom or whatever you want for a countertop and backsplash, you'll find yourself picking out varieties of the same "species" of marble or whatever. The price can jump wildly. And then you have to pair it with smaller slabs for other parts of the kitchen. It's all a nightmare.
And as someone who has a small "woodshop" for fun, a small piece of wood or whatever can go a long way. Provided the wood isn't diseased and dried out correctly, certain pieces can fetch much more than other pieces. Similar to home remodeling, if you've ever gone with marble/granite/quartz tile for your bathroom or whatever you want for a countertop and backsplash, you'll find yourself picking out varieties of the same "species" of marble or whatever. The price can jump wildly. And then you have to pair it with smaller slabs for other parts of the kitchen. It's all a nightmare.
Piano black is a trim that can only be truly appreciated in person. In pictures, it looks pedestrian but when you're in the drivers seat and can see the fibres of the wood behind the lacquer, it's something special. I prefer simple designs by default so piano black was always something that I liked until I saw one in person. The like turned into love.
I prefer wood, so long as it's doesn't look like plastic. Not a fan of the black piano wood a lot of cars are offering too. Some of the aluminum trim looks cheesy- also pretty much only looks good with black interiors. I am not a fan of carbon fiber trim period. A lot of Lexus used to have (and I believe still do) have this gaudy looking red-stained wood- can't say I find that too appealing. You really have to use the right color, finish, and DESIGN (some trim peices look unnatural) to make it look good.
Yeah I'm with you. White interiors, while they look amazing, are for showrooms only. It's a b--ch to maintain and ages quite quickly if not taken care of.
This?
Yeah there's a bloke on Youtube who's either near my age or younger and going through a crisis with a red/orange M4 on white interior. He'd posted a video last week of the car after 20 months, I believe, and the driver's seat looked awful. Apart from that, certain stained leathers IMO wear faster than others. As in the case of the E Wagon, I'd like to get it in lunar blue metallic on saddle or brown leather interior if either is offered. I don't believe it is on the current outgoing model. There's cream, beige and something called ginger. And of course black. I've always thought red on cream or white interior was nice and it stood out, not to mention help resale value, but maintenance is a ballache.
Yes, I believe that's it. My mother formerly had an ES350 with that trim. The wood is (somewhat surprisingly) real, but honestly doesn't look that real due to the obscure color. I also noticed with age/UV exposure the gear shift knob changed color. I've seen uneven discoloration frequently in the Gen 1 XC90 where the veneer of the center console on the cupholder door (usually open and not exposed to direct sunlight). Some of these companies need to work on their consultancy and/or UV protection.
This is the old ES 350 interior. I think by far the worst aspect of the wood trim is the cheesey shape of the triangular wood surrounding the switchgear on the door. The shape just doesn't look natural (or very interesting). I think having the long stretches from each side of the doors (common on Mercedes) looks far better. The wood on the cupholder door in the center console also looks silly- only taking up 90% of the door in an assymetric pattern.
This was the XC90 discoloration I mentioned.
Volvo just showed off the R Design version of the S90 and V90.
Looks stunning (minus the wheels)
Looks stunning (minus the wheels)
UV discoloration is an issue in newer cars too. That stain may look unnatural but it's available at Lowes too. I can't recall the name of the company specifically, but certain ones like Old Masters or even Minwax offer a bevy of stains and application mediums. My guess with Lexus is that their staining and clear coat process is as labor intensive as their exterior paint. If not, it could very well be cardinal wood, which is naturally red. Hard as a rock and expensive. It would either be that or as I said, a 3-5 stage wood finishing process.
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Volvo just showed off the R Design version of the S90 and V90.
Looks stunning (minus the wheels)
I know these are either composites or renders, but the ride height seems a bit too high. The cars look good; they're aggressive and sculpted. Reminiscent of Audi... almost. Wonder what they'll look like in real life. Minus their hybrid engine, the 4 pot turbo/supercharged engine even for the T6, seems weak. I feel that engine will have issues down the line and Volvo will stick with a 6 cyl.
If memory serves me correctly, VW did a twincharged engine using a supercharger and a turbocharger or a bespoke amalgam of the two for a Golf back in 2005 or 2006. That was the only time I saw or heard of the engine.
The wheels could be better, but I like them because they're easy to clean and I imagine the breaks would cool faster.
Edit: On further inspection, I'm confident these are renders and composites. The wheels on production Volvos or any car aren't that far out. It looks like these are using spacers and I don't recall Volvo using spacers in their R spec cars.
Air vent knobs remind me of the new Audi TT's. I'm not feeling their steering wheel. It reminds me of a tupperware lid.
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Agreed. Even beige or cream is not my presence but i'd stomach those over white even if they're all still annoying to maintain.
Black is practical but its not fun to sit in during summer. Brown is my personal presence. And then darker red like cabernet.
I wish Volvo had gone with a different rear design for the S90. Its the only thing i don't like.
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What does this mean?
Yes, you can get a stain in pretty min any color visible to the human eye. I'm just saying red isn't a very natural-colored stain- like blue or green. The wood is actually walnut. A 3-5 process wood finishing process sounds on par for what any auto manufacturer would have to use. 3 actually sounds a bit on the light side, if you've ever worked with wood. I'm sure it's all automated as it is.
I think Volvo was a bit silly from a marketing standpoint to use a 4-cyl in a 60,000+ SUV. That said the 0-60 and quarter mile times are about the same as the X5 35i. Don't forget the weight of a 4cyl is a lot lighter. The reliability of a 4cyl super+turbo remains to be seen and I'm not sure I'd want to be the test subject. Volvo has however had some really rock solid engines and turbos in the past.
No wood (of the car interior sort ... 
) for me. There's just something about that material type that clashes with my [modern] automobile aesthetic, regardless of the vehicle class/price/type.
OK, whew, glad I got that off my shoulders ...
You know, white, like _white_ is a bit much, but I do dig on some of the very light silver/grays for interiors, especially when paired with a bold exterior color like blue. I have this thing about primary and accent colors, especially since I tend to do quite a bit of aftermarket, so colors like 'tan', introduce an odd "3rd color" for color matching components and whatnot, never been a fan of it on "sporty" vehicles. I also really dig on red interiors (see last two rides), when paired with a neutral exterior color, something in the gray scale range (black, white, silvers, gray). It's really about balance of the exterior vs. the interior.
) for me. There's just something about that material type that clashes with my [modern] automobile aesthetic, regardless of the vehicle class/price/type.OK, whew, glad I got that off my shoulders ...
You know, white, like _white_ is a bit much, but I do dig on some of the very light silver/grays for interiors, especially when paired with a bold exterior color like blue. I have this thing about primary and accent colors, especially since I tend to do quite a bit of aftermarket, so colors like 'tan', introduce an odd "3rd color" for color matching components and whatnot, never been a fan of it on "sporty" vehicles. I also really dig on red interiors (see last two rides), when paired with a neutral exterior color, something in the gray scale range (black, white, silvers, gray). It's really about balance of the exterior vs. the interior.
I don't do wood either. It just doesn't add enough for me, and a number of the examples seen above look awful.No wood (of the car interior sort ...
OK, whew, glad I got that off my shoulders ...
You know, white, like _white_ is a bit much, but I do dig on some of the very light silver/grays for interiors, especially when paired with a bold exterior color like blue. I have this thing about primary and accent colors, especially since I tend to do quite a bit of aftermarket, so colors like 'tan', introduce an odd "3rd color" for color matching components and whatnot, never been a fan of it on "sporty" vehicles. I also really dig on red interiors (see last two rides), when paired with a neutral exterior color, something in the gray scale range (black, white, silvers, gray). It's really about balance of the exterior vs. the interior.
The T6e has no place in something that weighs 4700+ lb. Looking at the rolling start, it is significantly slower than its 6cyl competition, and has no MPG improvement at all. Also louder at idle and full throttle.
http://www.caranddriver.com/compari...volvo-xc90-t6-awd-inscription-comparison-test
I've pretty much gone through the stage with trims and coloured leather combinations for that sporty look. The next car it's going to be a blue/navy exterior with a dark rich brown interior (see: BMW Cohiba Merino leather) and piano black trim or matching wood trim.
The wood trim in my parents' 09 CTS wasn't bad. Better than the some of the pics here, but nowhere near the newer stuff. A few months ago they traded it in on an ATS-V and I think theirs has CF trim.
I love how white leather looks, but not sure I would have the patience to maintain it. The new Camaro has a white leather option and supposedly it holds up better. Al Oppenheiser (one of the leading engineers on the Camaro) apparently likes white leather and they went through various suppliers until they found one durable enough. I would probably pick the hyper blue and the grey interior.
Anyway, on Saturday my brother and I did one of those exotic driving experiences. Unfortunately, not something like Xtreme experience that is on an actual racetrack. Instead it was more like autocross. Drove a Ferrari California and Lamborghini Gallardo. I prefer the Gallardo after driving them back to back, but it was disappointing overall. Got there too early and we had to wait even longer as they were running behind. Also not enough room to really push and not enough time to learn the car. I can tell you though the Gallardo's steering is heavier and it feels like you just stand on the brake pedal to stop it. It felt like an on/off switch. With more seat time though I would have learned to modulate it. The Gallardo also holds you in place much better and felt much flatter. Really the California was the wrong car for it. A F430 or 458 would have been more suitable.
I love how white leather looks, but not sure I would have the patience to maintain it. The new Camaro has a white leather option and supposedly it holds up better. Al Oppenheiser (one of the leading engineers on the Camaro) apparently likes white leather and they went through various suppliers until they found one durable enough. I would probably pick the hyper blue and the grey interior.
Anyway, on Saturday my brother and I did one of those exotic driving experiences. Unfortunately, not something like Xtreme experience that is on an actual racetrack. Instead it was more like autocross. Drove a Ferrari California and Lamborghini Gallardo. I prefer the Gallardo after driving them back to back, but it was disappointing overall. Got there too early and we had to wait even longer as they were running behind. Also not enough room to really push and not enough time to learn the car. I can tell you though the Gallardo's steering is heavier and it feels like you just stand on the brake pedal to stop it. It felt like an on/off switch. With more seat time though I would have learned to modulate it. The Gallardo also holds you in place much better and felt much flatter. Really the California was the wrong car for it. A F430 or 458 would have been more suitable.
Nick Murray?
I hate the Silverstone Full Leather in his M4. All black or tan would work with his obnoxious Sakhir Orange M4.
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Cohiba Brown is one of my favorite interior colors, but when I first saw this... I was speechless.
San Marino over Amaro Brown
http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1167224
I remember watching his earlier videos when he first took delivery of his M4, he said his interior has held up pretty well and the interior cleaner he got from BMW does a good job so he didn't regret it. Even in that review you posted, the only part that is worn out is the bolster but overall, the interior has held up.
Nick Murray?
Cohiba Brown is one of my favorite interior colors, but when I first saw this... I was speechless.
San Marino over Amaro Brown
http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1167224
Oh its the Porsche guy. The bimmer looks stunning.
Suzanne the soccer mom doesn't care about such things. Her yoga practice has taught her mindfulness and to slow down her pace in life.
Saw this, thought of you guys (see no. 2)
http://thegarage.jalopnik.com/here-are-ten-cars-you-wouldnt-buy-for-any-price-1782366618
http://thegarage.jalopnik.com/here-are-ten-cars-you-wouldnt-buy-for-any-price-1782366618
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