2022 model sneak peek

Our 2012 Acura TSX has a light colored leather interior. The leather hasn't worn poorly at all.

 

Wow, that must be the Android app. iPhone app is "climatize" everywhere. But notice it's qualified: "interior preconditioning". Shame on them! I wonder what terminology the new app (if it ever comes out) will use.

 

Thank you from here in Texas. I will definitely use that feature this coming summer!

 

Maybe there is a quality difference between Honda and Acura’s leather? I don’t know how else to explain that our denim wearing family, car seats and all, didn’t leave stains or lasting marks.
Or maybe there is no better time to say, “your mileage may vary”?

 

It must depend on the quality/type. My current Hyundai Santa Fe (2014) with light tan leather has weathered well over 7 years.

 

I worry about doing that by mistake. If I did that right now, the roof would dump several inches of snow on the front seats!

 

I can't describe how many times I've gotten into my SE only to be warned the trunk is open because the open hatch button gets pressed in my pocket when I get in the car. It is infuriating. At least with the windows you have to hold the button down for about 10-15 seconds before it starts.

 

Getting back to the Island Blue color and the SE.

I'm noticing something on the pictures of the SE in Island Blue that I do not see on any of the other 2022 models photographed. I'm going to call it "electrical lead homage", for the shape and outline of it.

If you look at the lower left car, the SE, you can see a faint, rounded-corner, thickly outlined rectangular shape on either side of the hood scoop:

Notice that this is not visible on the three other cars, none of which are the SE.

I had previously overlooked this as I thought it was a lighting effect.

A closer look at the "electrical lead homage":


And, for contrast, a solid look at the 5-door with the bonnet stripes in Island Blue, but no electrical lead homage:



So I think it is safe to say this is not an artifact of the color, but it is specific to the SE. It also lines up with what someone above said about bonnet stripes not being available on the SE, since it would really look odd if you had them and this faint electrical lead homage. It may be an intentional differentiation. It may only exist in Island Blue on the SE (anyone see any photos of a 2022 SE that is not in Island Blue for comparison?)

What do y'all think?

 

I, too, want to know what is going on. The press pack photos also have a few shots showing a similar design on the side.

https://eminiman.com/2022/

 

Good catch! I hadn't noticed that there, either. I'm pretty convinced now that it is a distinguishing characteristic of the paint job or an overlay like Bonnet Stripes. Want to see how they present this when the Configuration Tool goes live.

 

I did some poking around on the German MINI SE Models & Options page, and the the Island Blue color is only available on the trim level they call the "MINI Electric Collection 2021". (Don't ask me why it's named 2021 and not 2022 - I am not a marketing genius.)

The (translated into English) summary:

It also shows this:

Stepping through the configurator, I didn't see any options for selecting bonnet stripes of any kind. <shrug>

 

I declined to accept an expensive interior/exterior protection package offered by my late, lamented MINI dealership (it's now a used car lot). Despite this, my excellent and experienced saleslady had my Satellite Grey leather seats treated before delivery (for free), telling me later that it was necessary to protect them from blue jeans. I'm happy to report my new jeans haven't left any evidence, for which I'm very grateful. I agree that light seats marked by blue bottoms would not be a good thing.

 

MINI to stop offering leather upholstery in future models.

 

My 1st-gen Honda Insights (2000 & 2006) had seats made from recycled pop bottles. I trust MINI will come up with a more durable eco-fabric.