To paraphrase Shakespeare: 'Tis but thy name that is my enemy; Thou art thyself, though not a Testarossa. What's Testarossa? It is nor wheel, nor tire, Nor wing mirror, nor headlight, nor any other part Belonging to a car. O, be some other name! What's in a name? That which we call a rose By any other name would smell as sweet; So 849 would, were it not 849 call'd, Retain that dear perfection which it owes Without that title. 849, doff thy name, And for that name which is no part of thee Take all myself." It's not boring and has some mildly controversial elements, but the most controversial thing of all is the name they gave it. I'm not so much opposed to the design but to the introduction/expectations of the name. I had hoped for something different in a return of the Testarossa name. I think I'd like the 849 better if it had a different name and therefore was positioned differently within the brand. Is it unfair to designers to recoil from a design over what seems like a marketing decision? All the best, Andrew.
I agree 150%. Poor choice of names. It ain't no TestaRossa. Even I'll say that. And to further the story. Im old enough to remember when the mid '80's Testa Rossa came out. My boss had one of the first ones in the USA and the day he brought it to work, it emptied out the building. My first reaction wasn't positive to say the least. Slab of ribs? Check. Wide rear? Check. Flat surfaces? Check.
I seem to be in the small minority that liked the Testarossa in the '80s (I was a kid, and it defined cool) but thinks its aged poorly. Yes, exactly.
This interpretation of a modernized Testarossa is absolutely gorgeous: https://www.instagram.com/p/DOtZNFkDc-e/?igsh=MWVqMnQ0aDgyd2o3NA== I know there's a big difference between digital sketches and getting a design into production, but still. All the best, Andrew.
This weekend's silly design content The Lexus Fan Bois have just deemed the 5 worst Lexus grills of all time. They also proclaimed the 5 best Lexus grills of all time, but I'm withholding those because you guys will probably comment that there is no difference in the two categories. IMHO, #4 worst looks like they phoned it in rather than connived to create something hideous! Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
LS600h for the top 3 grill designs. My father imported a right hand drive steering one from Japan with low use for $10,000 USD. Image Unavailable, Please Login
The order seems off. 5 is the worst and 1 is probably the best. 4 probably does not belong on the list as it is just a nothing grill from that era.
Here you go: Might the #1 Worst really be better than the #4 Best? I rest my case! Image Unavailable, Please Login #4 Best Image Unavailable, Please Login #1 Worst Pick your poison(s)!
Remembering Tsutomu “Tom” Matano, 1947-2025 Image Unavailable, Please Login We wanted to take a moment to celebrate the accomplishments of Tsutomu “Tom” Matano, often called the “Father of the Miata,” who passed away on September 22 at the age of 77. Matano was a champion of “empathetic design”—the idea that objects should communicate how they want to be used with their design—and he shaped Mazda’s design philosophy during what could be considered the most important period in the company’s history. Above all, he was remembered for his cheerful disposition and boundless enthusiasm for car culture and its people. https://bringatrailer.com/2025/09/25/remembering-tsutomu-tom-matano-1947-2025/
Tom & I were classmates at Art Center. We' were friends for 50 yrs. What a legend. Image Unavailable, Please Login
He was my wife's favorite car designer. She loves the design and ethos of the Miata, so it's only a matter of time before she gets one. All the best, Andrew.
My wife had one when we got married. She loved it. When I told her i was friends with the designer, I don't think she believed me! Image Unavailable, Please Login
I know the feeling! I told a CTS-V owner at a car show that my friend John designed his car. I got a look like "yeah, right." All the best, Andrew.
My first two cars were Miatas. Of all the cars I've owned, the first Miata (1993 gen one) probably brought me the most joy. Truly a terrific car.
