21st century automotive icons...

[white_goodman]

E-Type, DB5, Silver Cloud, classic Mini, Blower Bentley, series/Defender Land Rover, Range Rover are all automotive icons of the 20th century and that's far from exhaustive and just the British ones (I apologise for my knowledge of cars not extending much before the 60s).

However, would you consider any 21st century cars/designs to be iconic? I'm thinking possibly 911, Range Rover, MINI, Fiat 500 but these are all evolutions of 20th century designs. Is it too early to have an original, 21st century iconic design that people will still be talking about in 50 years time or are the constraints of modern manufacture too much to produce any more genuinely iconic designs?

Here's a few potentials.

Bugatti Veyron



I don't know what the plan is for its replacement but the quest for maximum speed seems to have stopped here.

Porsche Carrera GT



Arguably the last "analogue" supercar and we will probably never see its like again.

Aston Martin Vantage



It has been around a while, still looks fresh and took the fight to the Porsche 911.

Jaguar F-Type



Is is a 21st century E-Type?

Rolls Royce Phantom



I'm not sure whether I'm a fan actually but it's certainly distinctive.

[white_goodman]

Quhet said:

Mk 1 Audi TT - late 90s though?

Absolutely but yes, I believe it was 1998/1999.

[white_goodman]

InductionRoar said:

Not many cars that have the visual drama of a Zonda.

Very good call.

[white_goodman]

r11co said:

This will go the same way as the 'facelift' threads. The brief will be ignored and it'll turn into just another favourite car thread.

For example - the Vantage? Very likeable and desirable, but iconic? Anonymous within its range, more like. The DBS might have been a better shout.

To be iconic means it is an instantly recognisable symbol of what it represents, even to people who would not otherwise be knowledgeable.

Edited by r11co on Thursday 4th February 07:36

Granted. I wasn't sure about the Vantage but it is AM's first foray into that market in the modern age and one could argue that it's the only current Aston that doesn't look a bit like a DB9. Plus, I wanted one when they first came out and I still want one now 10 years later, which must count for something!

Judging by what some people are saying on other threads at the moment, the BMW 330Ci (E46) was a glaring omission from the OP

[white_goodman]

Tuvra said:

R53 / R56 Mini:

Also, original Focus & KA:


OP:
Agree with the Veyron & Phantom. None of the others though.

Edited by Tuvra on Thursday 4th February 15:11

That's fair enough and I probably agree with you on the MINI but the mk1 Focus and Ka although modern and revolutionary were both late 90s designs. I think the mk3 Mondeo was the first millenial Ford(?) but hardly iconic.

This might work though!

Edited by white_goodman on Thursday 4th February 17:11

[white_goodman]

Some great suggestions. Continental GT, Murcielago, and Gallardo (moreso than Aventador and Hurracan) all draw a definite line in the sand between the 20th and 21st century for their respective companies. Ferrari less so. I can't think of what the definitive Ferrari of the 21st century is so far. They change so often, that they are just like computers in that respect but Enzo maybe? To be honest, I can't picture what the LaFerrari even looks like which is telling.

Nissan GTR and Audi R8? Yes, I could see that. Prius? I see the premise but a slow, heavy, rather awkward-looking car that isn't as economical as most diesels doesn't really do it for me and seeing as they pioneered the technology, they haven't really taken it as far as they should have.

The Tesla Model S and BMW i8 make me feel a bit more positive about the future.



And as a complete contrast, how about the last NA M-car?



I also happen to think this is the single rose amongst a bush of thorns in the Mercedes lineup and the best-looking Mercedes since the Pagoda SL. Can't wait for the convertible version (not that I could ever afford one)!



Out of interest, what was the last AMG Mercedes to use the NA 6.3 litre V8?

[white_goodman]

patch5674 said:

Such a fresh design, even today still looks great.

I'm not sure about the Clio 182. It's light and compact and has that classic big engine in a small bodyshell appeal but IMHO lacks the aura of a 205 GTi, 5GTT or big-bumper mk2 Golf GTi. The car that most shouts hot hatch to me in 2016 is this one



and this is my favourite noughties hot hatch.

[white_goodman]

RoverP6B said:

The last M156s were in the run-out W204 C63s, I believe.

Thanks. Great car but perhaps too ugly to be iconic?

[white_goodman]

RoverP6B said:

I think they're handsome, personally. Certainly nothing like the utterly vile and irredeemable BMW i8. Regardless, the engine alone cements their status.

Fair enough. The rear end of the saloon looks a bit heavy but in black with straight spoke wheels it can stay!

Edited by white_goodman on Friday 5th February 20:27