Material changes are coming fast. . .

By Gary S. Vasilash

Although you might be thinking that the picture is a scene from Denis Vileneuve’s Arrival II, which doesn’t exist, it is actually a shot taken in the colour (yes) and materials section of the MINI Design Studio.

One of the things they are doing there is determining applications for a 2D weaving process that uses “yarn” from recycled polyester for things like the instrument panel and door panels.

While in the photo there appears to be essentially one colour (with the lighter being a reduction of the darker), according to Elena Schwörer, designer for materials and weaving, “The weaving process allows us to create unique dual-colour designs that bring a special aesthetic and atmosphere to the interior.”

For those who are familiar with interiors with surfaces that are mainly textured but uniformly molded, fabric surfaces are beginning to be used in an increasing number of vehicles.

While the tradition interior materials tend to lend themselves to cleaning with a few quick swipes of Armor All, one wonders how the fabric materials can be cleaned.

Undoubtedly Schwörer and her colleagues have that handled.