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Why some hybrids are dammed UGLY!

Discussion in 'Other Cars' started by Dxta, Jan 18, 2018.

  1. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Just ruminating, got to thinking what sort of theme/persona would get the automanufacturers back "on the beam" (Stephen Kingism), was thinking: military? When something's built for the military, it looks purposeful.
     
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    hummer?
     
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  3. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I like VW lines, they seem completely aloof from the current edgy contagion.
     
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    they have had good designers in the past, and i can't think of anything i've seen on the road that looks awful, but!
    if i have to choose between bad exterior design, and bad operating design, i'll take the former. i'm inside the car most of the time, looking at everyone else.
     
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  5. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Well no, at least I think, because: the military would want something "purpose-built" suitable for it's application. The hummer is rolling cargo cult, ready for god-knows-what that never comes, lol.


    I'm with you there, except I can't stomach the interior either, lol.
     
    #65 Mendel Leisk, Jan 19, 2018
    Last edited: Jan 19, 2018
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    but designed for/by the military, no?
     
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  7. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Yeah, if the military turned their attention to a versatile/efficient street vehicle, what would they come up with?

    We need an automotive coup, lol.
     
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  8. 2k1Toaster

    2k1Toaster Brand New Prius Batteries

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    That's the rear.

    That's the point. That's a $1.4m - $2m vehicle. It is fast, it is loud, is obnoxiously awesome and fun. The civic is none of those things, but slap on a fake rear grill, and people think it shares at least some qualities.

    Zonda.jpg
     
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  9. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Kind of like fish that take on the marking of something predatory or poisonous.
     
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  10. 2k1Toaster

    2k1Toaster Brand New Prius Batteries

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    Pretty sure it would be the Marauder. Perfect city vehicle according to the military.

    335331.jpg
     
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  11. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Shopping list:

    1. Aerodynamic
    2. Fuel efficient
    3. Easy to maintain
    4. Durable, robust, easily and cheaply repaired
    5. Comfortable, roomy, versatile cargo carrier
    6. Ergonomic/intuitive controls
     
    #71 Mendel Leisk, Jan 19, 2018
    Last edited: Jan 19, 2018
  12. WilDavis

    WilDavis Senior Member

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    ... I jump-started a neighbour's daughter's Hummer with my tiny, weeny jump-pack two years ago! ;)
    (... I think she was impressed by its size! :rolleyes:)
     
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  13. Dxta

    Dxta Senior Member

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    Oooooh, you think, and you aren't sure? :D. Well, she might be.

    You ever junostarted it again after that, so that this time around, it really would sink into her that your car was really cool.

    But come to think about it. Aren't those trucks gasoline suckers?
     
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  14. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    7. Unavailable

    tesla may come the closest.(since you didn't include price) and voice controls that work wouldn't bother me.
     
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  15. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Like 2k1 said, it's about looking fast. Those fake intakes mimic sports cars that actually have functional air intakes for radiators or brake cooling in the front and engine ventilation or aerodynamics in the rear.

    Besides, the side benefit is less paint! Less paint = less weight and lower cost lol.

    Also doesn't hurt that it costs less to manufacture (no need to paint it)

    My concern with Toyota's current design is that the big gaping grille will be passé in 15 years. It'll definitely be remembered as "oh. those cars from that era" because EVs and PHEVs will require less cooling... that is unless automotive trends continue in this fashion even in EVs for the sole purpose of design and not function.
     
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  16. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    The Prime has that big gaping (fake) grille and it definitely does not need it for cooling as a PHEV,
     
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  17. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Yeah but it's caught in the current styling trend. I'm talking in the future.

    On the plus side, it's the most restrained out of all the current Toyota products.
     
  18. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    My Liftback only got half a lick with that ugly stick.The grille is definitely not as ugly as the other Toyota / Lexus products.
     
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  19. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    clarity is looking better and better.
     
  20. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    A picture cadged from the 2017 Prius brochure, maybe shows Toyota's hand, how they perceive their target customer:

    upload_2018-1-19_18-1-20.png

    A floor-to-ceiling sliding glass door between the living room and the garage? o_O