Automotive brands that remain elegant
Discussion
Running on from the thread in TPaP about things that have become 'Chav', what brands (particularly automotive) have remained high-class or elegant?
- BMW's ///M range is entirely debased as simply a trim line, same as the AMG and Audi 'S' brands.
- Bentley has slipped from the image of being a gentleman's high-performance carriage to something that footballers aspire to
- Rolls Royce may still cling on with their fingernails as long as you don't look at their 'Cullinan' models
- Aston still hold some pedigree, but their DBX suffers in the same way as RR and the Cullinan
What (if anything) still holds proper cachet?
- BMW's ///M range is entirely debased as simply a trim line, same as the AMG and Audi 'S' brands.
- Bentley has slipped from the image of being a gentleman's high-performance carriage to something that footballers aspire to
- Rolls Royce may still cling on with their fingernails as long as you don't look at their 'Cullinan' models
- Aston still hold some pedigree, but their DBX suffers in the same way as RR and the Cullinan
What (if anything) still holds proper cachet?
Pitre said:
Maybach
good oneMasarati to a degree, although I think Alfa are probably getting their style back at the same rate as Masarati are losing theirs. I think the days of really elegant car design are gone, cars are too big and bulky to be elegant anymore. Not to say you don't get handsome cars still but the DB9 was probably the last car design I would describe as elegant.
Guys, thanks for the answers.
When I say 'elegant' then I am looking less for a car design that is elegant, more for a brand that is elegant and classy and not debased. For instance, the original LR defender and early discovery models have a practical elegance which remains. I think that some more humble brands (Mazda, Kia perhaps) can be quite classy as they are not aspirational but do what they set out to do, and do it well.
Maybe I am looking for the antithesis of Audi and other German brands, and everything that has gone down the 'bigger, larger, louder, more brash' route.
Good call on Morgan and Lotus. Bristol - yes, but they aren't exactly mainstream. And that goes double for the Hispano-Suiza.
When I say 'elegant' then I am looking less for a car design that is elegant, more for a brand that is elegant and classy and not debased. For instance, the original LR defender and early discovery models have a practical elegance which remains. I think that some more humble brands (Mazda, Kia perhaps) can be quite classy as they are not aspirational but do what they set out to do, and do it well.
Maybe I am looking for the antithesis of Audi and other German brands, and everything that has gone down the 'bigger, larger, louder, more brash' route.
Good call on Morgan and Lotus. Bristol - yes, but they aren't exactly mainstream. And that goes double for the Hispano-Suiza.
Long gone at RR in my opinion. Hideous 'black edition' versions of everything.
Jaguars are still not 'trendy' and thus remain cool.
Lotus as above.
In fact, I'd say its quite easy to gauge based on the amount of Chrome trim available - Amount of what should be Chrome/Silver/Coloured trim having being blacked out being inversely proportional to the level of 'elegance'.
Jaguars are still not 'trendy' and thus remain cool.
Lotus as above.
In fact, I'd say its quite easy to gauge based on the amount of Chrome trim available - Amount of what should be Chrome/Silver/Coloured trim having being blacked out being inversely proportional to the level of 'elegance'.
If we're considering non-aspirational brands which are still respected and somehow classy..
I'd suggest those with nothing to prove but still with plenty of cash to throw around are likely to steer towards a new Subaru or Volvo.
Those in the same 'sector' who don't really care so much about perceived quality (or indeed cars in general) most likely to go for a Kia, Hyundai or perhaps a little French car.
I'd suggest those with nothing to prove but still with plenty of cash to throw around are likely to steer towards a new Subaru or Volvo.
Those in the same 'sector' who don't really care so much about perceived quality (or indeed cars in general) most likely to go for a Kia, Hyundai or perhaps a little French car.
dan98 said:
If we're considering non-aspirational brands which are still respected and somehow classy..
I'd suggest those with nothing to prove but still with plenty of cash to throw around are likely to steer towards a new Subaru or Volvo.
Those in the same 'sector' who don't really care so much about perceived quality (or indeed cars in general) most likely to go for a Kia, Hyundai or perhaps a little French car.
Yeah, I think if understated is your thing then the V90 is probably the best big saloon around just now, Polestars look better than Teslas as well.I'd suggest those with nothing to prove but still with plenty of cash to throw around are likely to steer towards a new Subaru or Volvo.
Those in the same 'sector' who don't really care so much about perceived quality (or indeed cars in general) most likely to go for a Kia, Hyundai or perhaps a little French car.
MikeGTi said:
ZedLeg said:
I think Alfa are probably getting their style back
I am biased, but I do love the Giulia QV. Hopefully they won't break it with the facelifts that are reported to be coming
To be honest, aside from oddities, I don't think any modern brand has managed to retain an untarnished elegant image. To buy most cars all you need is money, and nowadays money is so easy to come by... Folk from all backgrounds have money, it's no longer the preserve of the elegant and educated. Back when brands truly had an elegant image, the rich probably still had servants, holidays abroad were an exotic fantasy and the very idea of owning even the most budget car was beyond the expectations of average working men.
Now, when a Porsche* can be bought for £1500 from a street corner in London, it's difficult for any brand to hold on to an upmarket image.
Now, when a Porsche* can be bought for £1500 from a street corner in London, it's difficult for any brand to hold on to an upmarket image.
- Replace with a brand of your choice, but i know of two Cayennes at this price recently, so used Porsche.
snotrag said:
Long gone at RR in my opinion. Hideous 'black edition' versions of everything.
Jaguars are still not 'trendy' and thus remain cool.
Lotus as above.
In fact, I'd say its quite easy to gauge based on the amount of Chrome trim available - Amount of what should be Chrome/Silver/Coloured trim having being blacked out being inversely proportional to the level of 'elegance'.
is any brand doing real chrome metal, Jaguars are still not 'trendy' and thus remain cool.
Lotus as above.
In fact, I'd say its quite easy to gauge based on the amount of Chrome trim available - Amount of what should be Chrome/Silver/Coloured trim having being blacked out being inversely proportional to the level of 'elegance'.
as opposed to the fake plastic ?
Maserati in the US have a terrible image. Definite chav tat wannabe brand. They seriously sold out with their heavily incentivized lease program, and would lease their sub-par products to any sub-prime moron. Consequently brand obsessed insta-faker “feeling blessed” type d
heads were all over them, strutting about, and completely ruined the image.
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