posted 12-11-2003 11:38 AM              

quote:

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Originally posted by ".":
[B]Boxster. Europeans still rule.
B]

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Designed by a dude from Milwaukee (Grant Larson.)

posted 12-11-2003 12:00 PM              

quote:

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Originally posted by Toxic:
"Koenigsegg is so average... so blah... so yesterday..."

Yeah, just your average 655hp, fastest production car on the planet. That would make me go "blah".

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posted 12-11-2003 01:06 PM              

what is the most well-designed car out on the market today?

the question itself, as direct as it may seem is a bit vague...but here it goes:

1.) Porsche 911
http://www2.us.porsche.com/english/usa/911/40years/pcna/home.htm

why: From the moment it was drawn, something about it's form was worth keeping for forty years. Try saying that about ANY product that's been around for 40 years. It's basic design has weathered time.

2.) the Tango
http://www.commutercars.com/

why: Because we're expecting company.

"The planet's population continues to explode: from 1 billion in 1820, to 2 billion in 1930, 3 billion in 1960, 4 billion in 1974, 5 billion in 1988, and 6 billion in 2000."
http://www.odci.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/xx.html

3.) Hummer H2

why: more from the aspect of the countries that supply us our oil. I have to admit, it's a great looking gimmick to foster our dependence on foreign oil and unnecessarily HUGE vehicles. It weighs over 8000 lbs and has a fuel capacity of 32 gallons. The Hummer site doesn't mention anything about it's fuel efficiency. I wonder why. Just out of curiosity, is 32 gallons more or less than a barrel of oil? With gas at $1.50 per gallon, I'd hate to have to fill that thing up.

4.) Aquada
http://www.aquada.co.uk/aquada/homepage.jsp?flash=true

why: purely for achieving synthesis between a water-borne / road-capable vehicle and still have some measure of practicality. that in itself is worth mentioning. considering the planet is 70% water, it's definitely more practical than an H2. yeah, this concept has been done in the past, but the Aquada ups the ante from an engineering and design perspective. but, unfortunately, i don't live in Venice.

posted 12-11-2003 01:23 PM              

quote:

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Originally posted by cg:
Designed by a dude from Milwaukee (Grant Larson.)

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Isn't design in a vacuum interesting?

More accurately, shouldn't that be:styled by Grant Larson for Porsche and based on classic Porsche roadsters.

I was talking companies with a "car out on the market"; not individuals (this thread could have been "best concept car", but it's NOT). I was also considering things other than just styling, because this thread is about a "car out on the market" and not the "best concept car"; tho it could have been, but it's NOT. Takes more than aesthetics to get a car "out on the market", but if it the question had been "best concept car", those things wouldn't really be important; but it wasn't so they ARE.

BUT if it's only styling, Taru Lahti's Ford Ghia Focus concept car is at the top of my list still. Oh, and lookie. Foreign guy designing for a U.S. company.
http://www.velocetoday.com/cars/cars_21.php

posted 12-11-2003 01:26 PM              

quote:

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Originally posted by wooden nickel:
super cars and hair plugs go together like milk and oreos.

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Now that was vicious!

posted 12-11-2003 01:27 PM              

quote:

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Originally posted by ".":
Boxster. Europeans still rule.

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They don't rule Japanese car manufacturers

posted 12-11-2003 01:31 PM              

quote:

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Originally posted by Toxic:
Only in supercars do you get what the designer truly wanted. Any other car is mass produced, focus grouped, bureaucratized, and watered down to maximize the appeal to the masses.

I find it amusing that the old M3 gets nods, but none of Bangles new Beemers are mentioned.

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Welcome to Industrial Design. Is there still time to change your major?

posted 12-11-2003 01:34 PM              

quote:

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Originally posted by asian connection:
They don't rule Japanese car manufacturers

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Yeah. They do.

I drive a Honda now. Excellent car. But I aspire to a Mercedes, not a Lexus with bling bling gold trim. Just my worthless opinion.

posted 12-11-2003 01:50 PM              

quote:

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Originally posted by Toxic:
Only in supercars do you get what the designer truly wanted. Any other car is mass produced, focus grouped, bureaucratized, and watered down to maximize the appeal to the masses.

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I will apologize form the start for being an asshole. I know marketing is considered a scurge by designers, but if we didn't have it, we would all be driving supercars. When I am driving in rush-hour on the Kennedy, I am thanking God I am not pushing in the extremely heavy clutch supercars typically have. If I did, my left leg would look like Schwarzenegger's and my right would look like a toothpick. If I could fit my kids in the back seat, I will have to have five feet of luggage (including the dog) stacked on top of the roof when we go on vacation.

The original question should be what car do you like, not which is best designed. Without criteria to make an informed judgement, this discussion will quickly become one big pissing match. Comparing an Audi A4 and an Infinity F45 (or whichever apples and oranges you choose) is pointless.

posted 12-11-2003 01:56 PM              

Aggressive, powerful and elegant, with great tie in to the old Bond DB5 of the Connery days, (to bad Pierce "yawn" Brosnon got to use this, he's too dry for Bond. Just costs more than I'll ever have to spend on a car.

posted 12-11-2003 02:10 PM              

quote:

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Originally posted by Toxic:
Only in supercars do you get what the designer truly wanted. Any other car is mass produced, focus grouped, bureaucratized, and watered down to maximize the appeal to the masses.

I find it amusing that the old M3 gets nods, but none of Bangles new Beemers are mentioned.

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I agree with that, and i have seen the new 5 series in person. The surface detailing up close is stunning and very well thought out but from a distance the cars proportions are more akin to a Honda (god forbid) or a Ford Taurus (shudder).

Its a fifity footer but in reverse. From 50 feet plus it looks like crap, but whne you get up close it really is nice.

Seems Bangle is confident with his and BMW's boards descision on the "new styling." although the 7 series is not doing as well as it should with the "new styling." People seem to have an opinion though, they either love it or hate it...

But the original question was: "in your opinion, what is the most well designed car out on the market today?"

My vote: Audi A8

posted 12-11-2003 02:34 PM              

quote:

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Originally posted by iab:
I will apologize form the start for being an asshole.

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Don't apologize. This was obviously meant to be an "asshole" thread because you're right: there are no real criteria. btw, you need to work on being an asshole. Follow me.

(crap, I have work to do...)

posted 12-11-2003 02:48 PM              

quote:

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Originally posted by Bar None:
Oh yeah about the boxter, you've got to be kidding right?

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Boxster for the same reason I'd consider your pick. It's classic. Jerry said it, the 911 doesn't get old. Boxster doesn't get old either (no surprise). The Aston-Martin is the same. I just think it's a little "heavy". I've always liked the frontend, but not the back. Boxster tail is as nice or nicer than it's frontend. Something about that appeals to the caveman in me. I can't explain it any better than that.

posted 12-12-2003 02:47 AM              

In terms of breakthrough design it seems like cars like GMs Hy-Wire, with its spacious, apartment-like interiors, to be the hot trend of this years auto shows (Honda and Toyota had similar cars). I find the interiors to be very cool.

posted 12-12-2003 05:20 PM              

Honda Element: Great solution to problems of cleaning and versatile space. The whole floor is plastic making cleaning easy, I have to say I'm jealous of that floor right now in winter. The rear seats can also be folded out of the way making the interior space great for passengers or cargo.

posted 12-12-2003 05:39 PM              

Or the Bugatti Veyron.

posted 12-13-2003 11:56 AM              

I agree with Enzo, Italian cars are great.