Modern design is all the same?

[Palfrem]

Is it me, or are these both pretty much the same, the same, the same, zzzzzzzzzzz?

 

[MOCAŠ]

People have been saying that about each generation of car design for the past 100 years or so.

One of the mags (may have been Autocar or Car) did an article several years ago showing examples of how key design cues have been prevalent amongst various different contemporary car designs from each decade.

 

[wemorgan]

I suppose modern cars within a segment can become quite similar. Maybe because the functional constrains are so similar what design freedom remains, like corporate grills are too subtle to really distinguish one car from another.

Or maybe OEMs know conformity sells in volumes, eccentricity makes a car too niche?

 

[jaymanek]

I have to say the new B class is very striking in the flesh... The citroen D5 makes you want to strike it with something.

 

[Dieselman]

I have to say the new B class is very striking in the flesh... The citroen D5 makes you want to strike it with something.

Which is just the opposite of what the motoring press say.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/carreviews/8841445/Citroen-DS5-review.html

 

[Wagon]

thats a DS5 no? , I like em

 

[KillerHERTZ]

Mainly down to crash regulations these days.

What about your average 3 box saloon from the 70s/80s? all identical!

 

[Dieselman]

I'm not sure about the DS9, but if the metropolis ever breaks cover I think I'm in.

Just looking again, the DS9 is pretty sexy too.

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/motorshows/beijing-motor-show/281719/citroen_numero_9_concept.html

 

[wemorgan]

Mainly down to crash regulations these days.

What about your average 3 box saloon from the 70s/80s? all identical!

Some things are, others I'm not so sure.

Bonnet height from ground and its angle go a long way to improve pedestrian head impact. Front bumper fascia angle and surface area for leg impacts.

A-pillar angle: depends how much load the OEM needs to put through it for front crash. Those with cabriolet versions can have a steep A-pillar as most load goes through the sill.

But the bodyside profile, door waistrail height, roof angle are less sensitive.

A city car looks very different to an executive car, yet they all pass the same relevant crash regulations.

 

[Bellow]

Or maybe OEMs know conformity sells in volumes, eccentricity makes a car too niche?

Original and new are dirty words in the west. Conformity is all. Baah, baah, baah.....


The Citroen DS3 cuts a dash though. Freshest looking car for an age. German cars are pretty much a style free zone these days. Jaguar with the XF woke them up a bit - then they completely overstyle, eg rear wings on 2nd gen CLS - horrible.

 

[Dieselman]

Original and new are dirty words in the west. Conformity is all. Baah, baah, baah.....


The Citroen DS3 cuts a dash though. Freshest looking car for an age. German cars are pretty much a style free zone these days. Jaguar with the XF woke them up a bit - then they completely overstyle, eg rear wings on 2nd gen CLS - horrible.

I like the Jaguar XJ a lot, especially the rear lights treatment.

BMW have always been designed to offend no-one.

 

[Bellow]

BMW have always been designed to offend no-one.

But offended plenty! Well, the Bangle ones. At least he had some cajones.

My biggest gripe is telling one Audi fom another, one BMW fom another, one...etc, etc, etc. Corporate identity fine. The same but in different sizes is shoe rack stuff.

 

[st4]

I love BMW design post bangle. Nice understated cars.

 

[gIzzE]

I was following my brother yesterday, he still has an E39 530i sport, in black.

God that is still a good looking car from every angle.

I still think it is one of the best all round cars ever made too.

The E60 530i wasn't as good all round, and the new 5 series is a step back again imho.

That e39 with the sweet NA 3 litre straight six in the prefect size car for both fun and waftability just gets it so right.


I think Mercedes are leading the way design wise from the German 3 at the moment.

New A Class looks stunning, the new Cscscscscvsc coupe or whatever the feck it is called looks amazing too.
Love the CLS, can't wait to see the new fastback and the C-Coupe looks great out on the road.
Only think I don't like is the new ML, looks awkward and a step backwards compared with the old one.

 

[gIzzE]

I do think the Audis look nice too.

Mind you rather than call it A1, A2, A3, A5, A6 etc. etc.

They could just call it 'Audi' and then size them so you buy a small, Medium, large.

Then if you want an A4 avant you order an 'Audi medium in long please?'

Want an A6 avant 'Audi large in long please.'



They all look the same anyway so why not?

 

[Bellow]

Audi range - good on paper....

 

[markjay]

In the 60' car were mostly round and curvy

In the 70' they were boxy - Fiat 124/125, W122, Golf Mk I, Astra Mk I....

In the 80' they were curvy again - Sierra, Astra Mk 2...

And now some have adopted stealth-bomber contours - 1/3/5/7 Series, E-Class....

Yes, it does seem to be a very trend-oriented business.

 

[Palfrem]

I was following my brother yesterday, he still has an E39 530i sport, in black.

God that is still a good looking car from every angle.

I still think it is one of the best all round cars ever made too.

The E60 530i wasn't as good all round, and the new 5 series is a step back again imho.

That e39 with the sweet NA 3 litre straight six in the prefect size car for both fun and waftability just gets it so right.

I agree.

I had an e39 530D and loved it. They still look good.

 

[Dieselman]

They could just call it 'Audi' and then size them so you buy a small, Medium, large.

Then if you want an A4 avant you order an 'Audi medium in long please?'

Want an A6 avant 'Audi large in long please.'

With or without Fries...

 

[st4]

With or without Fries...

With....