Original Modern Designs
Discussion
Crafty_ said:
Either way the mustang, camaro, challenger and charger are a breath of fresh air in the modern world, certainly compared to the drab BMW earlier in this post..
In the UK maybe, but in the US boggo spec Chargers and Mustangs are far more common and less interesting than seeing a nice E60 550i on the roads over there.The E60 has to be considered interesting and different if you take into account the conversation and opinions it has provoked since launch, familiarity can't detract from that.
Pints said:
It was only yesterday that Mrs Pints said this design would eventually be seen in a similar light as "those funny Citroens" (as she put it).
Is that good or bad? 
I'd agree - I remember the car leasing company close to where I worked got about a dozen of these when they first came out and they were shockingly modern looking compared with the previous Civic, which had grown rather tired looking by then.
M.
yellowbentines said:
In the UK maybe, but in the US boggo spec Chargers and Mustangs are far more common and less interesting than seeing a nice E60 550i on the roads over there.
The E60 has to be considered interesting and different if you take into account the conversation and opinions it has provoked since launch, familiarity can't detract from that.
And the E60 is humdrum here and across Europe.. the design is hardly original, unique or different is it ? its just generic eurobox.The E60 has to be considered interesting and different if you take into account the conversation and opinions it has provoked since launch, familiarity can't detract from that.
Here is another one, the first pickup that wasn't a truck that had the comfort, style and road manners of a car.
Which was followed a few years later by the el camino, which certainly was different given the vehicle was a "work horse"
Crafty_ said:
And the E60 is humdrum here and across Europe
popularity doesn't mean it's not an interesting or original designCrafty_ said:
.. the design is hardly original, unique or different is it ?
we'll agree to disagree on that one, the angular design and sharp edges were original and unique enough to provoke love and complete hatred in equal measures.the thread asked for original modern designs, in those terms it was a radical new design compared to it's predecessor or sector competitors.
Crafty_ said:
So that must apply to the mustang/camaro/charger/challenger too then ?
On the popularity side yes, with regards to design - just chunky americana IMO, muscular bluff shapes. They all look far too similar to me to be considered unique, different or even mildly bold in design terms.RedWhiteMonkey said:
I just don't get your love for these things. Obviously looks are subjective but having been a passenger in one of these and also after driving one I just don't get it. The ride was fairly awful and the quality of the interior reminded me of chinese takeaway containers. Nasty things in my opinion.
They are at least comparable with Astra's and the like. Sure a double the cost BMW is better in both the regards you state, but that's not really a fair comparison.And no other hatch offers the same utility or versatility.
doodlebug said:
RedWhiteMonkey said:
300bhp/ton said:
te. Not quite as ste as the convertible and seriously, thanks for not posting a picture of that abortion!
What is some of you guys problem?
inkiboo said:
300bhp/ton said:
Beautiful blend of modern chunky styling with homeage to times past but clearly 100% a Mustang and nothing else. Wonder evolutionary design. And one of the best penned vehicles of modern times IMO.
So this:
versus
Tough one. I'd say the Mustang is average to poor when it comes to looks and it is utterly laughable to suggest it is one of the best penned vehicles of modern times. In fact, it's a bloody insult.
For the record - which bit of IMO did you fail to understand?
Relax it's a free internet and everyone has a right to his or her opinion. To be fair 300BHP did include several European cars in his original posting. Personally from a global prospective I think the Camaro/Mustang/Challenger are great designs. I am excited that there will be a bunch more out there now but that are faster, safer, better handling than the original generation. Do I like BMW's? Sure I don't even notice them now except to think oh hey that guy or girl is doing well but they stir no passion with in me. The rumble that you can actually feel coming from something like an SVT lightning to me is a lot more exciting even though it may cost an 1/8 of what a new 550 cost. Is the 550 a better car? Probably if you want to be scientific about it. Is it better or more exciting to me? Nope. Its just opinions so relax and embrace the differences and use them as a catalyst for discussion.
Design is purely subjective. I could say that the original beetle or the FJ cruiser of the early 70's are designs I like but even I will admit they are not beautiful.
Design is purely subjective. I could say that the original beetle or the FJ cruiser of the early 70's are designs I like but even I will admit they are not beautiful.
Edited by PaulFontaine on Sunday 17th July 15:45
TT and the Smart for me are the ones that stand out - and the Daihatsu Copen which I think is a very distinctive and original design with so much packed into a very small package.
The XF reminds me too much of the Lexus IS to be original and I think the reason the PT cruiser is so derided over the UK side of the pond it looks so out of place to be anything other than the comedy choice. No doubt there are many cars 'worse' than it, but it's one of those cars that just looks wrong and nasty. It's not American prejudice, it's just a distorted runt of a car to look at.
The XF reminds me too much of the Lexus IS to be original and I think the reason the PT cruiser is so derided over the UK side of the pond it looks so out of place to be anything other than the comedy choice. No doubt there are many cars 'worse' than it, but it's one of those cars that just looks wrong and nasty. It's not American prejudice, it's just a distorted runt of a car to look at.
marcosgt said:
300bhp/ton said:
That is 100% bks and you know it if you were to step back and look a bit.
1. The Mustang has been in continual production since its creation, thus making no more a recreation than a MKVI Golf GTI is. And making this current modern FULLY modern.
2. It looks like a Mustang, it DOESN'T look like a 1960's one, hugely different. Sure they could have just made a blob of a car and stuck a Mustang badge on... but they didn't.
Nope - You're talking bks and you know it if you were to step back and look a bit.1. The Mustang has been in continual production since its creation, thus making no more a recreation than a MKVI Golf GTI is. And making this current modern FULLY modern.
2. It looks like a Mustang, it DOESN'T look like a 1960's one, hugely different. Sure they could have just made a blob of a car and stuck a Mustang badge on... but they didn't.
ks, but clearly DON'T know it... Like the GT, it's just a modern reinterpretation of an old design... 
Recreation or reinterpretation??? They ain't exactly the same thing.
marcosgt said:
Just because something's been in constant production doesn't make the latest version 'original', especially when it so blatantly references and earlier version.
OK then, how does it not?And to take it further, what else in recent years even looks 5% similar? I'd say it's pretty original on that basis alone.
As said before "it looks like a Mustang", not any particular one, but the current modern one, it just looks like a Mustang and easily ID'd as such. It doesn't look any more 1960's than a BMW Z4M does.
marcosgt said:
Same holds true of the Mini - Sure it's got little to do with the original design (VW Beetle too), but it draws ALL its design cues from the original car (You could make a strong case the Ferrari 360 is in the same camp). Not only not original but blatantly derivative to the point of pastiche!
If you are going to be that picky, then there has not been an original car since circa 1920. The basic shape has not really changed at all.marcosgt said:
As you say, the Corvette has been in continual development and it's pretty much always been a derivation of the same design - Short trunk, long hood, pointy at the front... No problem with that, but it's not original this time anymore than it was last time or the time before that!
Just eh? really. That makes no real sense.And again - show me anything that is even close to the Vette visually or in design. I can think of nothing.
marcosgt said:
300bhp/tonne said:
marcosgt said:
PT Cruiser - a 40s hotrod lookalike
Try Google mate, you might be surprised. Partly in the fact that that isn't the concenus and the fact that's 40's hot rods look nothing like the PT Cruiser.
If you can't see major similarities with whatever that is, you're being pedantic, obtuse or need a trip to the opticians...
And just because the PT draws on some design cues from the past hardly means the entire finished article can't be original.
Again - show me anything in recent production that is truly similar?
marcosgt said:
300Bhp/Tonne said:
-sadly most on here hate it because it's American
If you're seriously suggesting that's the only reason to hate it, it doesn't says a lot for the state of American cars...
No, but it says a lot for the ignorance of your average Brit/PH'er
Come on now, as an owner of two oddball cars, you should be well aware PH forum opinion and folk lore have little bearing on how good the cars can actually be and how original.
But all the Brits who've suffered one are clearly wrong? If you're seriously suggesting that's the only reason to hate it, it doesn't says a lot for the state of American cars...
No, but it says a lot for the ignorance of your average Brit/PH'er
Come on now, as an owner of two oddball cars, you should be well aware PH forum opinion and folk lore have little bearing on how good the cars can actually be and how original.
interweb said:
The four-spoke steering wheel embodies a hint of heritage flair with its generous size, although we appreciate the modern convenience of height adjustment. General tactile feel is quite good, with rich textures and premium-feel materials in the interior.
The four-spoke steering wheel embodies a hint of heritage flair with its generous size, although we appreciate the modern convenience of height adjustment. General tactile feel is quite good, with rich textures and premium-feel materials in the interior.
This sort of opinion is common with reviews of the PT Cruiser..... which sort of goes against your blanket claim.The four-spoke steering wheel embodies a hint of heritage flair with its generous size, although we appreciate the modern convenience of height adjustment. General tactile feel is quite good, with rich textures and premium-feel materials in the interior.
These reviews also seem to counter some of the claims too:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2jc0Ljq1fM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E95cW8kQBRQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzyzLL3THCI
marcosgt said:
I must admit I kind of like the PT's quirky looks (although it's not original), but I know it's a foul car based on using one for a week, not PH 'knowledge'...
But what were you comparing it too?marcosgt said:
On Jeeps, I'll give you the orignal was original (which makes the claims about the Land Rover so odd - Thanks for the info on that, btw), but your example of an "Original Modern Design" was just another small 4WD, sorry...
M.
Read this bit twice, still not sure what you mean by the last bit. M.
PaulFontaine said:
XitUp said:
I quite often agree with 300, but none of those cars he posted are original modern designs, imo. They are all inspired by cars that came before them.
My input:
Good pick...I think there's a little underground movement for theseMy input:
cheesyblob said:
Let me rephrase the original post. I mean original, as in a lot different to other cars currently on sale, not different to every car ever made, so 300BHP/Ton's suggestions are good, but I don't see what the person who posted up the E60 is on about. Looks pretty much the same as an A6 and the E-Class to me, and pretty much the same as all of BMW's other offerings.
Then you're changing the post. OK, the E60 is still a 3 Box Saloon, but when it came out it caused indignation all over the place simply because it looked like nothing else out there thanks to it's (at the time) huge use of convex panel creases. You can't say that a design is less original because it's since been copied and become common place.
I'd totally agree with the MK I Focus- all of the New Edge designs looed like they fell from space at the time. It really galls me to see the Focus become a bland eurobox these days.
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