Nelson
|
Best and worst of new car design for 2008Something that has been bugging me for ages now, I need to get this off my chest....
so, your opinion on the best and worst new cars currently on sale today. Forget how they drive, how well designed the interior is, if it goes 0-60 in 4 seconds, base your thoughts purely on their aesthetic attributes and of course those who you wouldn't be seen dead in.
Remember, all cars must be on sale today, no forthcoming models that aren't on sale yet
I'll kick things off
The best of the best
Maserati Gran Turismo
Citroen C5
the new Mercedes SL
Jaguar XF
Peugeot 4007 (contentious, but I really like them, especially in black)
the Mazda 6 just misses the top 5 as its a tad bland as the rear.
and those who I am sick just looking at
Chrysler Grand Voyager
Toyota Auris (probably the blandest most boring car on sale today)
Chrysler Sebring
Renault Laguna
Ssangyong Rodius
plus if this was a top 7 I'd add the Dodge Caliber and Hyundai i30 to the bad list
|
Humphrey The Pug
|
Best:
Audi A5
Maserati Granturismo
Fiat 500
Citroen C6
Skod Roomster
Worst:
MINI
Alfa Brera (great from the front but what is with that arse)
Dodge Avenger
VW Fox
Subaru Imprezza
|
Matt
|
Best
997 GT2
Lambo Gallardo LP560
E92 M3
Mazda 6
Citroen C5
Worst
Ford Kuga
Hyundai i800
Clubman
Fiat 500 - controversial, I know
Subaru Impreza - but not the STI, which looks great in bright red
|
Dr. Hfuhruhurr
|
Best:
Quattroporte
BMW 1 series
Gallardo LP 560
Aston DBS
LR Discovery
Worst:
Focus CC
Caddy Escalade
BMW X6 (so what's the deal here - is it for people who find the X5 too subtle and tasteful?)
Ferrari 599 (it may be the greatest supercar evah, but not even its mother could love the way it looks)
Jeep Commander (I'm sticking to one per make, otherwise Jeep could have filled this whole section)
|
PR
|
In no particular order:
Good
Mercedes CL
VW Phaeton
Range Rover
Aston Martin V8 Vantage
Bentley Arnage
Bad
Peugeot 207
Alfa Brera
Audi Q7
Subaru Impreza
Chrysler PT Cruiser
I have left out the most obvious Ssangyongs and so on because I think they speak for themselves!
I also wish to add that I like the new Laguna and fail to see anything of interest whatsoever in the styling of the new Citroen C5. The Fiat 500 narrowly avoided my 'Bad' list as well.
|
Nice Guy Eddie
|
GOOD
Fiat 500
Porsche 997 GT3 or GT2
Maserati Quattroporte
Pagani Zonda
Jaguar XF (saw my first on the road last week and it looks a shed loads nicer then it does in pictures)
BAD
Mercedes CL
SEAt Toledo
Audi Q7
Bentley Conti GT
BMW X6
I'd obviously have the Alfa 8c at the top of my desire list but discounted it as you can't buy one. I would like to add how much nicer the new BMW X5 is to the old model. I'm always surprised when I see one how they seem to have managed to hide its size.
|
Stuntman
|
Pleasing:
Fiat 500
E92 3 series coupe (but not including the M3)
Suzuki Swift
Ford Mondeo
Quite a few current Mercedes designs
Lotus Elise/Exige
|
.
|
Best.
Jaguar XF
LR Discovery
Gran Tourismo
Rolls Royce Phantom
Jaguar XK
Honourable mentions to the Lambo LP640, Porsche 997 range, Citroen C5, Range Rover and Mazda 6.
Also, by far and away the best almost at production car for me at least, is the quite simply stunning Land Rover LRX.
Worst.
Imprezza.
Grand Voyager
Jeep Patriot
BMW 6 Series
Daihatsu Materia
Honourable mentions for the rest of the Jeep Range, the X5, 7 Series, Conti Flying Spud and Kia Carens. Along with anything Ssangyong, which is obvious.
|
Humphrey The Pug
|
Can I just add an honoury as everyone else seems to:
While I don't think it is a "worst" design, I can't see the fuss with the Jag XF, I think it is bland and looks too much like a Lexus.
|
PR
|
| Humphrey The Pug wrote: | | While I don't think it is a "worst" design, I can't see the fuss with the Jag XF, I think it is bland and looks too much like a Lexus. |
I think the XF has achieved BMW-like levels of colour and wheel sensitivity. A silver or dark blue/grey SV8 with the 20s looks sensational, especially on the move.
However, the pensioner beige one with the smallest wheels that appeared in the work car park the other day looks fairly unexceptional. The white basic 5-series that's also here is more appealing visually.
But I appreciate that these things are down to individual tastes. I disagree with most others here in that I think the Fiat 500 is stunted and dwarfish, the Granturismo inelegant and Japanese-looking and the Citroen C5 extremely nondescript.
|
Dr. Hfuhruhurr
|
| Humphrey The Pug wrote: | | While I don't think it is a "worst" design, I can't see the fuss with the Jag XF, I think it is bland and looks too much like a Lexus. |
Have you seen one in the metal? It really is a car you need to see on the road; when I saw one last week I was amazed how good it looked - expensive and classy. It comes across as more like an S Class competitor than a 5 series rival.
|
Humphrey The Pug
|
| Stevie Wonder wrote: | | Humphrey The Pug wrote: | | While I don't think it is a "worst" design, I can't see the fuss with the Jag XF, I think it is bland and looks too much like a Lexus. |
Have you seen one in the metal? It really is a car you need to see on the road; when I saw one last week I was amazed how good it looked - expensive and classy. It comes across as more like an S Class competitor than a 5 series rival. |
Yep, I didn't really rate it TBH, it didn't grab me at all, however car designs do take a while to grow on me so when I see a few more out there I may grow to like it more. I was expecting something far more original and striking.
|
PR
|
| Stevie Wonder wrote: | | Have you seen one in the metal? |
This matter has caused me to froth at the mouth in recent months, as a succession of smug, 'aren't I clever' twats have had letters published in magazines dismissing the XF's styling as being lacking in this, that or the other way, to the extent of some suggesting (in all seriousness) that all Jaguar had done was to tinker slightly with the Mondeo.
What The Fuck, I thought. Have these morons got anything other than a few pictures on which to base their worthless opinions? I very much doubt it, and I also very much thought they should have kept their inane drivel to themselves.
|
