Creativity is Free » Automobiles

What Toyota Should do with Scion and Prius

Pat — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 02:27:19 +0000

We’ve seen these ‘trendy’ brands come – and go. Can you say Hummer? So should a car brand be built on something beyond todays fleeting fashion and style? In Hummer’s case, how many militaristic 4x4s can a consumer market absorb – regardless of gas prices. As a new series of products, they were novel and intriguing. Enough so to make you look past the compromises to everyday usage. And even if gas remained cheap, I suspect the novelty of Hummer would have gradually faded. But certainly not before there were Hummer mid-size sedans in order to grow volume at any cost (the H6 or H7…) So now we have Scion and can it and a dealer network be supported by a brand that markets only to hip young people who like to party and customize their rides? The 90′s are over and squadrons of customized Honda Civics and the Tuner Mags have seen their rise and fall as a trend. Sure, some will remain but the mass marketization of customization has likely run its course. Now all we have left are cars that are built with quality, well designed, and full of the latest technology – for young and old people. But to say that Scion and Hummer weren’t the right decision at the time would be too much. They may have been the right decision if there was incremental revenue and profit. And what if these Fashion Brands are treated as such – brands that are hot and then cold. They could come and go with the seasons or decades never meaning to last a century. There would be no pretense for unique dealer networks but perhaps just a showroom. As the trends come and go, so would the brand. Toyota is now planning to expand the Prius name to a larger van and smaller coupe/sedan. It seems like a natural progression and one wonders why they haven’t done it sooner. Toyota should definitely take advantage of the Prius ‘trend’ while its still hot. Eventually the market will be flooded with high quality, well designed hybrids and BEVs so Prius had better exploit it’s brand equity before it too shall fade.

My Favorite Cars: 2010 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup Edition

Pat — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 01:14:21 +0000

I’ve always had a soft spot for VWs ever since my first driving instructor couldn’t stop talking about his VW Rabbit. Later, a couple of my friends bought a Jetta GLI and Corrado. Both were quick, sporty cars but both were terribly unreliable. Neither ever bought a VW again but the cars sure were fun! Seeing the Jetta TDI Cup cars with the massive mesh front air dams, somehow brought back the youthful and fun spirit of the brand. Combined with the TDI engine and here was something unique (at least in North America). Despite being common place in Europe, diesel engines are still rare on passenger cars in the U.S. To see and read more about this one-of-a-kind car, you can see this review on Autoblog.

My Favorite Cars: Porsche Lightweight Boxster Spyder with Video

Pat — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 02:06:15 +0000

Finding the perfect sports car is as personal as finding the perfect …. The Boxster Spyder above seems to have it all – light weight, mid-engine, 2 seats, no top, powerful engine, incredible handling, and voluptuous body work. The 911 is often held up as the definitive Porsche but could the Boxster be the true descendant of the original Porsches? And while I’m at it, here a couple of more cool videos to enjoy…

For more photos - LA Preview: Porsche reveals new lightweight Boxster Spyder [w/VIDEO] — Autoblog.

Best Interior Design – Buick Regal GS Concept at the Detroit Auto Show

Pat — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 01:34:29 +0000

Buick Regal GS Concept Interior

Could this interior really be a Buick? Just looking at it and knowing you’re sitting in a Buick makes you feel confused, disoriented, and even a little shocked. If it weren’t for that badge on the steering wheel, you’d never know you were in a Buick. The name and the look seem so contradictory that it will take some time to get used to. But we will and hopefully all Buick’s will look this good. Notice the stitching, perforations, metallic surfaces, steering wheel graphics and forms, center console switches, AND a MANUAL SHIFTER!

Best Concept Vehicle at Detroit Auto Show: GMC Granite

Pat — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 16:16:41 +0000

After the visually challenging GMC Terrain, it’s good to see that Design still lives at GMC. This year’s Detroit show had far fewer Concept Vehicles due to the industry downturn and with GM and others suffering from the global financial, one wonders how GMC survived the onslaught. Perhaps it’s the low-cost of differentiating the GMC nameplate from Chevy, or perhaps there really is some equity in ‘GMC’ someplace in America. Whatever the reason, the Granite as a GMC or any other brand for that matter, is a good piece of Design. It’s forms exude a solid, rock-like (granite?) quality and the low, wide stance adds to the sense of stability and steadfastness. The frontal openings (negative space) are deeply drawn and further enhance the illusion of surface depth. The grills below the headlamps have an almost R8 look to them. At the same time, the side vents along the front doors have an almost paper-like or origami-esque feeling to them. It looks good and it’s interesting but I”m not sure I would call it granite-like. These gills seems like a different theme from the front end appearance and the overall proportion and stance of the vehicle. The rear view of the vehicle offers a similarly chiseled feel with the liftgate shutline/graphic strengthening a boxy volume.

It’s difficult to believe the Terrain and the Granite come from the same company but one is a production vehicle and the other a concept. Still, there’s really no excuse for the Terrain. I do hope it is a commercial success at least.

From a Design viewpoint, the Granite rates about 3.5 Stars with the side view paper-thin surface changes being the only questionable element of the design – but even that is interesting!

Rumormill: Mercedes-Benz CLS shooting brake in the works? — Autoblog

Pat — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 02:32:49 +0000

Mercedes-Benz ConceptFASCINATION

Rumormill: Mercedes-Benz CLS shooting brake in the works? — Autoblog. Here’s the Mercedes ConceptFASCINATION from last year but still worth a good look. Looking ready for production, this 2 door wagon or ‘Shooting Brake’ is a nice piece of Design. M-B usually does a great job with surface and graphics whereas the details and proportions can be a little controversial – example: GLK. The concept here may not be practical but with the addtion of rear doors – this concept would make a very sporty wagon much like the Cadillac CTS Wagon. Speaking of the CTS, it sure is about time for Cadillac to move on from the razor edge folded paper look. It looked a little simplistic from the beginning and now it just looks dated.

GMC Terrain – Please, Not Another Aztek!?

Pat — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 21:50:20 +0000

If looking at the new GMC Terrain has you staring in disbelief, you aren’t the only one. After spending millions in the design and development of this new product, how can GM allow this to happen? Not only that, but our tax dollars are supporting this company and this brand. If the government is going to spend our tax payer dollars, at least give us good design! The blocky, primitive forms and graphics, the overly simplistic wheel openings that pinch the tires, the lack of a dynamic stance, the absence of a strong side view graphic, the curb rubbing front air dam on an SUV? It’s no wonder that GM is suffering the way it is. I sure hope this second chance we’ve given them results in better designs.

Garmin nuvifone Continues to Blur the Lines Between Phone, Navi, and Camera

Pat — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 04:11:57 +0000

The fusion of product categories continues… just as GPS navigation takes off with cell phone users, just as camera phones are hitting 8 megapixels, the dedicated navigation device is fighting back. Now Garmin has a navi phone so you can have truly remarkable navigation (and a phone and camera too). The merging and blending of product features goes on and it will be interesting to see where it ends up. Will we truly have a single mobile device that is just as good as multiple dedicated devices?

Blue and Yellow Sports Cars Series: Camaro GS Race Car Concept

Pat — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 04:00:31 +0000

SEMA 2008: Camaro GS Race Car Concept LIVE — Autoblog.

Here’s last years blue and yellow sports car… something about this color combo that looks good on racing cars!

Blue and Yellow Sports Cars – From Cobra to Corvette: Superformance to introduce 1963 Grand Sport replica

Pat — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 03:51:02 +0000

From Cobra to Corvette: Superformance to introduce 1963 Grand Sport replica — Autoblog.

If you like blue and yellow sports cars – and who doesn’t – check out the new Superformance replica. This is the same company that does the replica Shelby Daytona Coupe.