Today, for the first time ever, Europe’s most coveted automotive award went to vehicle that that relies upon electrical juice flowing from its lithium-ion battery pack as its sole source of motivation. That battery-powered vehicle, the Nissan Leaf, marks the automaker’s first win since the Micra took home the award way back in 1993.
Has there ever been an uglier car of the year? This thing looks like it was designed by guys on the production floor (imho). I love a lot of Nissan stuff, even lately, but this is bad.
I can totally empathize with you in regard to the styling of this car. However, I think that Nissan is purposely designing the Leaf (and others in their lineup) to be viewed as a domestic appliance. I think what they are trying to do with this car is step away from the automotive enthusiast group in the hopes of attracting ‘do-good’ citizens who want an easy fix for their green credentials. It is a similar play to what Toyota did with the Prius.
I actually liked the Prius. While it didn’t blow me away I thought it was kind of neat in its own way. As for the Leaf, I don’t mind the back half, but the front just seems squished. There are plenty of decent looking cars with stubby front ends, but this to me looks like they modeled a decent car with a consistent form, then smacked the front end a few times to get it where they wanted.
Could it be their take to do something that is unmistakable on the streets, to any extent?
From what I remember, it was pretty much the same feeling i got when the priuses rolled out.
bngi: for sure, but the Prius has a much more distinctive shape. I actually thought the Prius and Insight were appropriate. They weren’t hot designs, but they were decent. The Leaf looks like a Versa with a stamp over the grille.
i have to say i love the old Cube. drove one a bit in Japan. Great little car. the new one though… goes to show how ugly you can make a car with a few daft tweaks.
(This is coming from a complete automotive amateur so be warned)
I honestly have no aesthetic attraction to any cars (and I mean ANY) that have come out in the past 3 years or so. I just see a sea of bland generic forms or very odd new-aged box shapes. Even top-of-the-line luxury cars can’t even spark the kind of pupil-dilating effect I can get from just looking at a nicely put together bike. When I went to the Detroit Auto Show, nothing kept my interest long enough for me to even remember the name of the car.
Maybe there’s something wrong with me? Maybe the designers develop forms that are just more attractive to men?
I drool over mid-century cars like crazy. It’s like cars now are analogous to super flashed out carbon fiber road bikes or function-over-form mountain bikes, whereas I just want a nice vintage-inspired touring bike (if that made any sense at all). Alas, I just can’t find anything out there…
I haven’t properly looked at a Juke yet. I saw one from a distance and it looked interesting. I doubt the market for it though, but time will tell.
I loved the 2nd gen Cube too. It was obviously born of a specific culture (Japan) and its needs. The new one has that spirit, but is overly designed. It is as though they wanted everyone to know how different it was.
Here is another car that I like: Mitsubishi i. It’s oddball, but well done.
