Mini hasn’t had ANY manuals in the US in a couple of years now, supposedly because of emissions. They’re just finally coming back in a few models, starting with March production.

The Golf R is absolutely still around. There are thousands of new 2019 Golf Rs still sitting at dealers as we speak, and, of course, the new model probably about 18 months out.

How can you possibly be expected to do so? BMW can’t keep up with it themselves, half the time.

It’s not fake, they use a valved exhaust. One side is open when it’s quiet. Put the engine in Sport or Sport+ (I forget which) and the valve opens, the car gets louder, and exhaust comes out from both sides.

Well, it’s a different car. The 2-door, RWD car is still going to exist. Since that’s likely to have a turbo straight-6, that would be the M240i. Since this has a 4-cyl with a bunch less power, it makes sense to call it the M235i - since the ‘35' moniker is what they’re applying to all of the other cars with this…

Exactly. By some peoples’ standards, a coupe is an end compartment in a railroad car, with seats on only one side, and therefore, should not be a term used to describe ANY kind of automobile. 

There might be a few holes in your argument there.

Agreed. I took a look at BMW to see what the X2 M35i weighs, as they are essentially the same car, and it definitely does seem like Mini accidentally added 1000 to all of their curb weights... Whether they have 1000lbs of ballast on them, or they made a mistake is a different question entirely.

You’ve won this round, pun-master.

“The All New, All-Electric, Porsche 911 Turbo Cross.”

You’re not wrong - but that’s unfortunately how it goes with all of the cool stuff.

You’re not wrong.

I promise I’m not trying to be or sound like a jerk, it just comes natural. In all seriousness - I’m genuinely just surprised, is all.

Sure, I understand that. You’re right, that’s exactly what I was picturing. It’s a pretty rare occasion where I have to glance down at my HVAC controls to find something, and I’ve only had my truck a couple of months.

I’m not sure if you waited a month and a half to reply to make a joke about your reaction times or not. :)

Wait, what? You’ve been daily driving your car for 6 YEARS, and you haven’t developed the muscle memory to find your HVAC controls without looking?

I couldn’t POSSIBLY agree more about the buttons - using a touchscreen in general sucks. Implementing a touch screen for HVAC is the single worst move an auto manufacturer can make, and it’s literally the sole reason my wife didn’t buy an XC40.

You’re my new favorite person, with that comment. 

Really? I think it looks pretty good. Super clean, shadows where needed, good fonts, card-based interface, etc. All pretty current design schemes. What do you think makes it look bad to you?

Made to compete with the new Eclipse, I suppose.