Not just the dash cluster. A number of Fords here in the UK have the entire cabin lit up the entire time- things like the radio buttons, climate control, etc.

Same. Drives me nuts. What’s particularly annoying is that some cars on the Mk.7 platform with keyless entry have keys that don’t flip. It’s all the same electrical systems. No idea why they don’t give all KESSY cars the nicer key!

Yeah, they’re reversed in the manual cars. Definitely couldn’t work without that switch. 

It’s worth pointing out that the little tray in front of the shifter used to house a rotary wheel, and the shifter is where you’d rest your hand to use it. Same goes for the A4 and A5. They removed the rotary wheel when they facelifted the cars recently, changing the infotainment system to the latest version which…

I’d be interested to know if EuroNCAP introducing the ‘full width’ test with smaller female dummies might improve things?

German Buicks built in China seem to be doing OK. 

PSA have been bad about this for a while. Peugeot, Citroen, and Opel/Vauxhall all compete with each other. It always struck me as odd that they bought Opel. 

Or DS, if they’re trying to keep a semblance of ‘upmarket’ for Chrysler. But yes. They should be using their already developed vehicles to expand the Chrysler brand. 

Totally agree. I’ve just thought too- a lot of cars have different bumpers for different trim levels. Take the 3-series. Here in the UK, there are 4 different front bumpers already. 

But a different front bumper costs pennies to develop compared to the rest of the car. Take the 4-series. You could change just the front bumper and you’d have a decent looking car. They could quite happily keep doing the hideous mole rat teeth for markets where that works, and give Europe and North America a decent…

Oh absolutely- it’s not an option on something like this. But there’s no regulatory reason why a car can’t have 3 across in the front.

A bench seat definitely isn’t impossible- the new Defender has an optional 3rd seat. 

I’m ordering a VW ID.3 and they have matrix lights on most trims. The base model genuinely has everything I need- but I couldn’t not have the matrix lights after seeing some of the demonstrations of them on YouTube. 

Most likely, this. OK, not this one, but my dad has a Z1 in the same colour. It’s awesome, and I’ve already told him that when he can no longer get into it, and I have space for it, that it’s mine!

Volvo offer a wool blend on some cars. It looks great!

Alcantara is great IMO, as long as it’s kept clean. My car has alcantara seats. It’s still relatively new, but I’ve done 27k miles in just under 2 years. The interior still looks brand new, and there’s no difference to the alcantara on the driver’s seat to any of the others. 

I’m about >< this close to going for a VW ID.3. It’ll be in this gorgeous blue/teal colour called ‘Makena Blue’.

Think this might account for some of the difference with Europe. I custom ordered my last car, and I’m about to go for a VW ID.3 in a bright blue/teal colour they call ‘Makena Blue’. It’ll be a factory order, and with this colour available, I wouldn’t dream of choosing one of the others. 

Well, this Harlekin is a Tornado Red Polo with a wrap.

They are wonderfully batshit.