By Jonathan Mellberg
I tried with diligent intention write a blog that bashed many current designs from within the auto industry. Guilty parties included Ford, Cadillac, Lincoln, Lexus, VW, and Acura. But it was just too hard to write without it sounding whiny and half-finished. And while hate speak is often fun (and easy) to pen, I thought I’d instead spend some words that shine the spotlight on those designs that are worthy of praise:
BMW: Those kidney grills never get old. And just when you thought BMW designers couldn’t channel any more inspiration, a new generation of the 3, 5, 7, etc. debuts and we fall in love all over again. Of special note is the all-new 4-Series BMW, which is really a 3-Series coupe with its own look (though you can still get a new 4-Series with four doors in the Gran Coupe model). And what a good look it is. Likewise, the new M4 and its brother the M3 are real knockouts, but neither is as stunningly unique as the new hybrid i8. The 6-Series Gran Coupe is also a looker, though a bit unnecessary considering the breadth of BMW’s current lineup and the curious trend BMW is adopting. Further beefing up their portfolio, BMW will soon add the all-new X7 to go with the five other “X” model SUVs currently on sale. And all are handsome. In fact, BMW only has two ugly ducklings: the Gran Turismo's, in both 3 and 5-Series iterations.
BMW M4
Mercedes-Benz: Casual observers like me are all wondering the same thing: When did Mercedes get so sexy? Today’s entire fleet of M-B vehicles are simply stunning, from the race-bred SLS coupe to the tried and true, old-school G-Class (scheduled for a major update in the near future), M-B is steadily premiering a host of new vehicles as well, from the GLA-Class SUV to the upcoming S-Class coupe. The stodgy, squared-off Mercedes-Benz your grandpa owned is a thing of the distant past. New M-Bs today feature sensuous lines and curves, detail-oriented front grills, power-bulge hoods, and special edition AMG models that act the part of bad-ass even more than they look it (Google the new AMG GT, now!). Weak links? Maybe the new B-Class electric vehicle. Might as well toss in the GLK-Class and the M-Class too, as they’ve never been the best looking SUV’s out there. All in all there's nary a nit to pick; keep doin’ what you’re doin’, M-B!
2015 M-B S-Class coupe
Ferrari: I shouldn’t even open this can. If you know me, you know my adoration for autos reaches all-time highs when Ferrari comes to mind. Maranello’s current lineup shows no fault as far as I’m concerned. The F458 Italia wonderfully continues the tradition of a perfect starter Ferrari; it is gorgeous from any angle. The current F12 is just about as sexy as it gets. The boys at Pininfarina (the design firm who pens most Ferraris) rarely takes a wrong turn in designing for the lucky 1%. The FF, Ferrari’s first car equipped with all-wheel drive and its first “shooting brake” design, is probably the brand’s most controversial design, but I love it to death. I’m Luke-warm over the California convertible, but as it’s only one of two Ferraris I’ve ever sat in, I still love it.
Ferrari F12
Lamborghini: Lamborghini design is like a stereo with a broken volume knob; it only gets louder, more intense, more in-your-face. Lamborghini cannot be like Ferrari, and if it could, it wouldn’t want to be. So if Lamborghini can’t be sexy like Ferrari, it’ll be aggressive. And boy, Lamborghini is. The still-fresh Aventador is practically aggression incarnate, so what does that make the all-new Huracan? As I sit here at my computer, looking at my screen background (a white Huracan), I don’t know how to describe it. Like the devil that’s all grown up? Like a wolverine that’s been through finishing school? I’m not sure. What I am sure is that it’s far better looking than the Aventador, and it’s light years ahead of the Murcielago and Gallardo, predecessors of the Aventador and Huracan, respectively. And the forthcoming Asterion ain't too shabby either.
Lamborghini Huracan
Kia: It’s true; I do hate myself for admitting that Kia makes a great looking car these days. I don’t even like admitting they’re a worth-while brand in today’s automotive landscape. But, like their parent company Hyundai, Kia has spent the last decade leaping hurdles in both design and quality, and where they are today is downright respectable. Kudos to Kia for finally choosing a corporate grill to unify the brand. Aside from the badge (insert yawn here), the grill’s bow tie silhouette design seems to work quite well wherever it appears. Their best-looking models? The K900 and the Optima. The real shocker is the 2015 Sedona minivan, which is quite fetching, and not just for a Kia or a minivan, but for any car. Yeah, I said it.
(Unfortunately, nothing is free, nor readily accessible without trampling some barely noticeably (and even less understood) line of legality. Which is why I cannot picture the new Kia Sedona. Below is the link. I invite you to check it out.)
photo by the author
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