Is it just me or have cars recently become better looking?

I 100% agree with your statement on the Elmiraj. They already didn't build the Cien so I wouldn't be surprised if they don't make that one.

The CLS looks nice too. I agree about the current lineups...they're all looking pretty good for the most part.

 

Those examples are spot on except the 5 series, I wish BMW would have made it more unique from the 3er. Much like how the e28 differentiated itself from the e30. Aston Martins should be on that list but they've haven't had any new groundbreaking designs in years; can understand them being overlooked. Besides they're starting to look like Ford Fusions!

 

Even in the "daily driver" category - Kia, Nissan, Toyota, VW - even Chevy and Ford... ALL cars, to me,
look way better this year. My new Nissan Sentra is NICE looking - and way better
in so many ways over the 2008 Merc E350 I traded straight across for it.

Jedi

 

I agree that many of the high end luxury GT cars and sedans are looking refined and smooth lately. The only other thing that makes me raise a brow in bewilderment is the insane LED Daytime Running Light designs stuck on the cars, almost competing for who has the best squiggly design.

 

As mentioned, some of the lower-priced cars really look good at least from the outside. In the past few years the US carmakers might have finally figured out that interiors matter as well. There are materials available that add tactile feel and texture without a lot of cost.

Interestingly, some brands are getting more ugly. Yes Mercedes, this means you. The sport-utilities in particular just get worse.

 

I have been thinking this also, but you are the first to post this. The other thing is some of the least expensive cars now handle better than others.

The American cars in particular have upped their game. They have always provided cars at reasonable prices but the damn things never could take a corner very well. This is changing.

Great post

Lee

 

I think a lot of the cars are much more exciting now. I don't like the trend to make all the models the same, Nissan, and Lexus especially. Some cars it works, BMW, others it doesn't.
I'm not a fan of some of the new stuff. I don't like the Evoque. Especially the coupe. Well, I like it, but it doesn't fit the Land Rover brand. But that's just my opinion.

I do think its getting better. Designs are breaking ground, people want cars to be exciting again, even if its just a economy car.

 

458 was a milestone in Ferrari design.
Best looking F car since the F40 which was beautiful in its functionality.

 

The lux/premium brands have always been lookers. The real news is in the designs of brands like Mazda. It's unreal how good the new Mazda 6 and 3 look. Even more so given their price.

These smaller mass market brands (Mazda, Kia, etc) have not only invested heavily in high-end designers but also the engineering resources needed to make it happen. That's more impressive than high-margin, high-end brand designs, IMHO.

 

when did GM drop Buick?

 

correct
thank her for me!

 

Agree totally with you.

 

Cars have definitely gotten better in general, but no nothing different in terms of style some ascendent, some descendent as always.

Lambo, Audi, and RR are on top of their game
Porsche, Ferrari, Jag, and BMW are not

348/355 were the best looking designed modern Ferrari's (see the poll here)
928 and CGT run circles around the 918
D type and E type - come on
BMW - E46 330, 2000 7 series
Merc 300 SL's
Cadillac- elmiraj is sweet but Cien was best ever sports design
Lincoln's are a joke now best were 60's and 70's
Camaro's are great now
63 split window vette the best


So as long as your are only talking appearance and not performance, there have been many periods of equal or better design, here are some luxury sedans that are really something not to mention the 20's and 30's which are some of the nicest, dusenberg's, cord's, auburn's, cadillac's ...............................


courtesy --- http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5291/5531431832_a263877a09_b.jpg
----- http://photo.netcarshow.com/Cadillac-Eldorado_1971_photo_01.jpg`
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You had me until I read the above... these have to be the ugliest thing on the road today!!! All Subarus have boxer engines, or at least all the ones I've looked at.

 

The US automotive industry was barely treading water from the frist oil embargo - 1973 until the crash cleared out most of the crap in 2008. GM went from 750,000 employess down to 70,000. Just a bunch of bean counters trying to survive. Still more to do, but Tesla will be leading the way along with chevy if they keep the momentum going.

The 918 is an over-hyped, over-priced hybrid Lotus-like little toy;

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6f4phgrpeR8]Porsche 918 Spyder Engine Sounds - YouTube[/ame]

boring (looks-wise) ^^, in fact that 8 cylinder engine would be better off in a new 928

 

Audi has done a good job of styling recently, the A7 is particularly attractive.

BMW's styling has left me cold for the most part but the new 6-series looks great, but I also liked the old 6 as well. The Z4 since its restyle in 2009 (?) is also attractive. That's about it though.

Chrysler/Dodge hasn't done much recently but the new Viper is properly outlandish, and I think few would argue against the Dart looking better than the old Neon.

Chevrolet. One word. Stingray. Any questions?

Ferrari is Ferrari. 458 looks great as a convertible, although I am partial to the 360 in Spyder form personally. The 355 is probably the best looking V8 coupe they have made. 550 will always be my favorite late-model V12.

Hyundai is making some very attractive cars these days. The Equus may have a shape derived from the S-class, but the interior is perhaps better than the german car.

Lamborghini Aventador blows the scissor doors off the Murci. But Murci still has that classic shape, to me it is more Countach than the Diablo ever was.

Porsche? More interested in making SUVs these days. Slowly growing the 911 until it is the size of a small ute. Cayman still looks good though.

Heck even stodgy old Volvo makes reasonably attractive cars these days...

 

I dont agree...current production cars are mostly ugly

High end sports/GT cars

Lamborghini Aventador: I prefer the murcielago lp640 roadster's exterior looks but the aventador interior has definitely improved

Ferrari F12 and FF are ugly. I dont like the 458 either because they removed the side cuts and engine window. 430/360 spider looks way better than 458 IMO

I am still leaning towards Pagani who hasnt changed much and is still miles ahead in looks

Mid-range sports/GT cars--the mercedes slk/clk were much better

Porsche Boxster/Cayman
BMW Z4
Jaguar F-Type -this is the only one that is half way decent and its definitely not worth msrp

Luxury sedans/coupes-the maserati quattroporte is ok

the new s class is hideous
all the 7 series are ugly with the bangle butt and all after 2000's

Sedans/coupes

the new 3/5 series are very weird looking but the new c and e classes look ok

Trucks

range rover is ok but i prefer their older bulkier designs.
the mercedes g is still my favorite
these porsche suv's do nothing for me and i am waiting for the lambo and bentley suv's

 

The 2015 Mustang is rumored to have the flat pane, so? Nice I guess, but there are all kinds of nice sounds from Ferrari's to 60's big blocks to maserati's ... If everyone had a flat plane crank then it would be blase. Variety is good.

Kamikaze runs on the NBR don't interest me, you will NEVER do that kind of driving in normal life in the US. Meaningless. How many threads here bemoan the uselessness of the high speed capabilities of today's supercars and mention more enjoyment from 355's etc and sound from that car in the vintage section. Street cars are about sound and looks. (vintage -https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/vintage-thru-365-gtc4-sponsored-redline-restorations/420678-must-hear-275-a.html)

Buy a bike if you like speed thrills, beats a car anyday.

The 928 was intended to be the best GT performance car one could buy, it succeeded, most misunderstood and never-experienced car ever, mine - http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5478/9431346528_cf0163db0b_h.jpg