Audis I agree are a bit plain, but I’d take that over overstyled, poor handling US cars any day. The fact that a 1995 Audi still looks somewhat new is a testament to good design in my books, compared to a 2 year old Focus that looks old already.
Just for good measure some other great old german cars- how can these not be great design?
Really not feeling the early 80’s BMWs. The 1981 with the raised center section in the hood seems awkward. They are maybe a notch above an X-11, visually, which isn’t saying much. For what it’s worth, that was a pretty weak period all around with few true winners.
In that matchup, the Plymouth owns. But it’s also a completely different aesthetic. The Plymouth has true slab sides with significant f/r overhang. Also the hidden lights and graceful C-pillar, pretty restrained and tasteful use of chrome for the era too.
The Benz roadsters don’t do it for me at all as sports cars.
BMW could stand to walk away from the split grille and reflecting headlights, as iconic and central to their brand as they are, for a couple years and see what happens - it totally straightjackets their styling.
That one made my day. Hilarious. What do you smoke, young man?
It’s a nice Plymouth. I do like some late 60s us cars. Lincoln continental, 64 chrysler imperial, early tbirds, etc.
But I do find it hard to make the case that the 80s bimmers or mb roadsters aren’t good design. And in all as per the op German cars vs most others as a class are pretty well stacked.
Just for good measure some other great old german cars- how can these not be great design?
What ?!?!? No Isetta???
Wha’about Messerschmitts?
Right out of school I thought I’d found the car I wanted. The Audi Fox was released in the US in 1973; penned by Giorgetto Giugiaro. Alas, I couldn’t afford it and settled for a used Fiat 124 Sport Spider. In reality, neither had enough horsepower to get out of their own way, but the 1600cc DOHC engine in the Fiat made great exhaust noises!
I think this is one of those pointless discussions. This guy just doesn’t get it, and unless a piano drops on his head, I’m sure he will just dig up another vintage American ride. None of us are saying those are bad, in fact I love them as well, just that your palette could use a little broadening… beyond the Ford Fusion…
…also, to qualify as a “motorcycle” for in the UK for tax purposes, the early Isettas had no reverse gear. Apocryphal stories tell us of owners driving into their garages or the first time, and pulling up too close to the wall. Unable to open the front door, or to reverse back a bit they’s spend the night stranded in their cars.
…also in the theme of cars and Germany, there’ was an example of an Isetta in the Checkpoint Charlie museum that was used to smuggle East Germans across the border into Berlin. The passenger was concealed above the rear wheel engine assembly.
I understand, but worse than the Americans? The 80s was just a giant cost cutting party. I think the last car ever designed with metal door handles was the Mazda Miata. Could be slightly wrong on that point but not by much.
Yes, these are largely personal opinions but I wouldnt call these examples marketing claims. I think its commitment to strong brand identity and clear design language through-out the years that really shows.
German cars are consistently well designed, however very conservatively so (barring Chris Bangle BMW). I also think that they get a lot of passes that other companies don’t. GM is always going to get reminded of the Aztek. Fiat always of the Multipla. Subaru always of the Tibeca.
Biggest German flops:
Mercedes R-class (no one bought it for a good reason)
1994-1998 VW Jetta (reasonable success for a surprisingly bad design)
2003-2006 BMW 7 series (good success, widely panned design. Better than the worse review, but disappointing for BMW)
I think the BMW 7 series, adjusted for price, looks about as good as a 2010 Chevy Impala. Maybe a little worse. Despite the bad early press though, people have moved on, which is my point.
Not the newest, the bangle butt one. Sorry, I wasn’t clear.
One more thing, it’s important to note that a Chevy Malibu manufacturing cost is within $2000-3000 of a BMW 3 series. The price difference is $12,000 on the base models (probably gets more as you load up with options).
That’s why I am always banging on about price. Ford has shown that dramatically with the new Focus. An extra $2000 in the budget gives the designers and engineers a lot of freedom to make a great car.
Not sure the point about price. $3000 at cost normally would translate to $15000 at retail. Basic markup. $2000 at cost goes a long way in materials, design, etc. That’s not even counting manufacturing quality of which I’m sure some of the extra cost goes into.
Topped out BMW 335 sedan comes in at $65,800 (and that’s not even all the accessories…)
Topped out Malibu: $29,345
Of course the performance of the two vehicles is considerably different, and the level of options available on the BMW far exceed that of the Chevy. But, even a maxed out Malibu vs. a base 335 is nearly $10k different.
