Friday 1st March 2002

Uninteresting Urban Vehicle

More boundaries pushed back, more innovation, leaping forward in design etc. Toyota thing to be unveiled in Geneva.

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[kevinday]

Erm, isn't this the same as the Saab 9-3X??

[thom]

quote:Is it time to go to the pub yet?

As far as designers are concerned, it's about time to get back from the pub

[nonegreen]

Is this a design for a new toilet roll?

[PetrolTed]

Any closet car designers reading who'd like to share their vision of the future. I know mainstream designers are constrained by some real world issues, but the 'fashion' of cars being churned out at the moment is particularly uninspiring.

Designers of the future, send us your sketches!

[thom]

quote:
...but the 'fashion' of cars being churned out at the moment is particularly uninspiring.

...as well as the fashion to design cars which don't deserve to be called cars.
Ted, I understand you have to write something about the news cars/concepts coming out, it's part of your job, and I also understand you are upset to read everyday the same ungleaming comments about these new 'cars'....but then why do motoring companies -ly bother showing motivation in designing boxes?

[the mighty terry]

If beauty is in the eye of the beholder , and the premis that owners look like there dogs is true ...

then aren't we in danger of having a world full of very slow / ugly & uninspiring women , yes i'm with you fellas on this one - don't like the current trend for shiny plastic mini-buses , they all look like cleaned up leyland Sherpa vans to me & there drivers are ( err oop's sorry to offend anybodys wife ) not much better . Coming from somebody who's as happy on 2 as he is on 4 wheels , i have to say that these bungalows on wheels are the bane of my very existence , i'm sure somewhere in the Bible / Koran whatever it says "LET YEA WHO HAS TROUBLE PARKING A NISSAN MICRA NOT BE TEMPTED TO SHOP IN AN MPV" ...

Oh enough already i'm off for a smoke & a drink , hope you all have a wonderful weekend , & hey i'm at Ally Pally next weekend so who knows may even bump into you there ...

[GeoffH]

The car in front is a Toyota - I just wish the bloody thing would move over and let me pass!

[SWILLY]

I think the toy' looks great, it reallyyyth fllubbbb haargghh phew haargghh phew haargghh phew .............

[JoePhandango]

At least the colour of the thing is a fitting hue.
I think Dulux call it "Reverse Onion Bhajee Green"
What are the trim options ? Mint Sunrise ?... Misty Buff ??
Mmmmmm... Tasty !!!

[Spaced Invader]

does anyone else long for the curves and style of the 60s? this car looks like one of those transformers i used to have as a kid- the ones that turn into a fighting robots. that WOULD be innovative

[PetrolTed]

quote:
does anyone else long for the curves and style of the 60s?

Don't be ridiculous man. With all the technology we have these days curved vehicles would be far too difficult to make

[GregE240]

quote:
This car looks like one of those transformers i used to have as a kid- the ones that turn into a fighting robots. that WOULD be innovative

Well, if it turned into a half decent looking car then that would be a start.

PS - just read the title at the top - very ironic, Ted !

>> Edited by GregE240 on Tuesday 12th March 13:29

[steve harrison]

They took a Focus and hit it with the ugly stick.

Presumably the "innovation" is a particularly clever type of cup holder

[Roadrunner]

There are only a handful of decent design consultants out there - pinifarina etc. If companies don't pay top dollar for these services then the result will be a compromise for a start.

Given the constraints some designers are put under too it's no wonder at the mediocre shite pouring out. For example - a car company want's a new coupe but it has to blend in with the rest of the range and corporate image, like the bmw face on the z3.

All the classic greats are designed by a visionary, not a commitee, fitting aroung corporate bullshit. Bad car design is the fault of the people signing the cheques, not the (unexploited) talent of the top car designers.