ProtegeMaster

I've found the current trend in new car design most displeasing. Nearly across the board, every new car I see makes my stomach turn. This includes these "Scion" things.

I don't know what's wrong with auto makers these days, but just about the only company that seems to get aesthetic appeal, in my opinion, is Mazda. For all of the characteristics I'm unhappy with it about, I still find Protege the best looking small car out there, and the Mazda6 is simply stunning. But other cars?

The new Honda Accord: Ugly.
The Civic: Ugly.
The Corolla: Boring.
The WRX: Ugly.
Scion: Sickening.
The new Maxima: Ugly
Sentra: Boring/Ugly backside

In my opinion, among reliable brands there are no attractive alternatives to Mazda, and I find that offensive, limiting, and in poor taste. I like the idea of having reasonable choice when it comes to choosing a car, but these days there just aren't many options, if any, dammit!

But aside from aesthetics, doesn't the BBx's boxy design call to question the issue of wind drag efficiency (or lack thereof)? Seems to me you might as well drive down the highway with a sail sticking out of your car.

I'm sorry, but I have to put out a big to almost all design engineers in the auto industry these days. I suppose I'd also have to put out a big to the executives who approved these designs for production in the first place. They too have no taste. Someone needs to slap some sense into these people...

leungwingkei

With 105hp pushing a car shaped like that, it won't be going on the highway.

arl240

protegemaster, don't blame the engineers, blame the designers. They come up with the cardboard box shapes and then expect the engineers to design a chassis for it. Man, I would hate to have been the aerodynamics guy when that or the Element showed up on my door.

Knock, knock.

Me - Hi there, is this the new shape of the packing foam to go around the vehicle? It should fit perfect into a box.

Designer - that's the new car you have to test. It's called the Scion, which means descendant of the Aztek and Element.

Me - Is it inside the square box?

Designer - it is the square box.

Me - did you want to include a beach umbrella on the top, that could increase the drag a little more?

Designer - Hmmmmm.....we could make that one of the 40 exciting options, such as overpriced hubcaps or shiftknobs.

Me - Could I test the drag later?

Designer - Why?

Me - I have to finish my resume, as I will be fired as soon as the public sees this and blames me, the poor testing engineer. Maybe I can work for Geo or Daewoo, they seem to be popular these days.....

leungwingkei

The problem is that most car companies let some 20 year old graduate design just graduating from art school to design their cars. Cars desgined 0in Japan and Europe look much better than the ones in California.

Proto2k

When I was in Atlanta for the International Auto Show, they had a Scion practically in the center of the convention center. I was interested so I went over to see it. It had an awesome audio setup and a decent interior but it was white with gold rims. My friends and I stood there listening to people talk about how cool it was. I could not believe that everyone was so blind that they couldn't tell it was a piece of crap. It would have looked better with the exterior cut off. My two cents.
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