car design thread

Me, too. A little era-equivalent M6 in the quarters? We had an '89 SC 5-speed which was 1st year for the design - a lot of fun, room - freeway flyer - never a problem (or recall, that I recall).

 

What it takes to build a beautiful car, by McLaren's Chief Designer:

https://www.theverge.com/2017/8/22/16184266/mclaren-design-chief-interview-rob-melville-luxury-cars

 

The new Miata design story:

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I'm not trying to be awkward here Jerry, but this has really piqued my curiosity:

We recently talked about Aston Martins and you thought the DB9 or V8/V12 Vantage were not special enough to consider buying, while I thought of it as an event to see one. If you see the Z8 as you do Astons, what makes the Z8 special enough to earn your consideration? On the flip side, I see the Z8 as nice, but it wouldn't be the specific BMW I'd choose due to perceived poor value for money at the initial list price and current trading point, when you can have a first generation Z4M for much, much, much less and still get a great BMW experience.

All the best,
Andrew.

 

I dont think I can express my distaste for the Z4 design without being offensive. So Ill just leave it at that

The similarity between the AM's and the Z8 is they have very classic primary forms and proportion with modern secondary forms and detailing. (sorry dont know the technical term in the auto biz so sticking with figurative sculpting terminology)

What makes the BMW special is there are several models of AM over decades that all share the same design language, so you see them every day (at least where I live) so they dont feel special anymore.

No other BMW or other car in modern times looks anything like the Z8, so that makes it very special. While Ive never driven a Z8 Ive sat in several and the interior is also very special IMO. Aston interiors are okay at best.

Notice I havent mentioned anything about performance. I really dont care about it anymore as long as its at least up to late 90s standards. I cant even tell you the last time I drove briskly through some twisties. Maybe over 10 years ago. no desire.

 

With 108 double stitches the baseball would seem to be the epitome of a 'stressed' surface; is that good?

 

Not so much a stressed surface as both are perfect spheres, but color, texture, pattern, and what could be described as 'functional visual entertainment' are ever present on the baseball.
But don't read too much into it, I'm sure he was just trying to make a point of 'simple like Simon' versus something that had visual interest, that's all

The baseball will be stressed enough when it gets hit by a bat.....

 

Thanks!

Who thought putting the main gauges over in the middle of the dash on the Z8 was a good idea? That would seem to be merely a cheap way to make RHD editions...

 

Gotta save wherever you can..

 

Illusion, delusion and fantasy seems to be the attitude of some engineers toward the ideas of designers. Though it perhaps appears that some designers are being held hostage by the demands of engineers for aero and mechanical efficiency.
The McLaren designers especially seem to have become subservient to the demands of the engineers.
Does the 720S design result visually work? There is a lot going on.
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Not offended - you certainly aren't the only one that dislikes the design!

On the Z3, it just never got me excited. I instantly liked the Z4 better when it came out - I liked the harder edges over the "softer" looking Z3 - though it took me a couple years to fully warm to it.

What do you think of the just discontinued generation of Z4? It cleaned up some of the weirdness of the first generation and was more refined to my eye.

 

if you get a chance, read this:https://www.theverge.com/2017/8/22/16184266/mclaren-design-chief-interview-rob-melville-luxury-cars

 

My $.02

Its good looking in a modern way. Meaning in a room full of ugly women, one of them needs to be considered the 'pretty one'

I just hate todays obsession with vent and grills and flaps and wings. Things they call 'surface detail' In my business we call that hiding the bad forms with lots of eye candy.

The final pass on the design improved a lot but it still looked too much like a bulbous toad to me.

 

Yes got it; the white interior screams Fux along with that paint color choice of course!

They sound like a happy group all pulling in the same direction to make it better!!!
Not enough height for the seats wouldn't be a problem with this group...

 

One of the subtle changes that improved the look of the Z8 was the longer wheelbase that was lacking on the squished appearing Z3.

 

Of course you have to wade through the 'PR Speak'. It can't all be bunnies & butterflies!

 

I also see way too much fussiness in many modern design - makes me think of the early days on home WYSIWYG publishing - suddenly every flyer had 12 different fonts and a handful of clip art decorating it.

Also maybe too much aero-driven elements - I get that it improves performance but I'd be happier that looks "right" over something that performs perfectly.

 

Not to get philosophical but I believe modern societies emphasis on performance over beauty is indicative of many of the problems going on today

 

I like a little philosophy here and there and that's an intriguing thought.....

can you give some examples of where/how you see that play out?

 

+1

All the best,
Andrew.

 

Like to hear some "inside stories.." to go along with thi one about the fde out of Bill Mitchell



There's one on Mitchell and the ill-fated Phantom on **********.com

In retrospect, I don't think it was that bad a design....

 

The Phantom is well covered in Roy Longeberger's book. It was never intended for production, just a one-off for Mitchell as his going away present.

Wally: In your article you refer to the hump back Seville as being Rolls-Royce inspired. It was instead a Daimler. Mitchell tried to get that look for the 1976 Seville but had to wait for the 1980 instead.

 

I remember seeing the Phantom in the hallway for the 1st time. I thought Mitchell had taken leave of his senses. But other than that, hey it was great.....

 

Interesting design in a classic sort of way; looks like you could fit a V-12 under that hood!
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All I could think: 'what was he thinking?'
The red wheelwells finished it off for me.......