Autoblog

Gilles defends 2014 Jeep Cherokee design as "very contemporary"

Jeffrey N. Ross — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 13:28:00 EST

Filed under: Crossover, Jeep, Design/Style

Following the forced-hand introduction of the 2014 Jeep Cherokee, there has definitely been a mix of responses revolving around everything from its design to the return of the legendary nameplate. As evidence of this, just check out the 1,000+ comments in our article last week and some of the many opinions that were voiced. Following this not-too-warm reception, Ward's Auto had a chance to talk to Chrysler designer chief - and SRT president - Ralph Gilles, who shed a little more light on the styling direction of the new Cherokee.

Rather than looking to previous models for inspiration, Gilles says that the Cherokee has been designed to be more contemporary, with Mark Allen, head of Jeep design, adding that a main goal was to make sure the design still looks modern five years from now. Interestingly, Gilles does point out that one of the design elements incorporated on the new Cherokee that pays homage to past Jeeps is the sharply downward angle for the leading edge of the beltline, which he notes is meant to mimic the look of the old YJ and TJ Wrangler models fitted with half doors. Of course, the squared-off wheel openings - a signature Jeep cue - are still used.

This is probably a design that will need to be seen on the street in actual daylight to properly assess, but in the meantime, we'll bring you full images and impressions when the Cherokee debuts at next month's New York Auto Show.

Gilles defends 2014 Jeep Cherokee design as "very contemporary" originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 28 Feb 2013 13:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volvo replaces Peter Horbury with ex-VW designer

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 08:30:00 EST

Filed under: Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Volvo, Design/Style

Volvo has chosen former Volkswagen designer Thomas Ingenlath to replace Peter Horbury as the head of the Swedish brand's design department, the latter having moved up the ladder to oversee design work at Volvo's corporate parent, Geely. Ingenlath was with the VW Group for 20 years and did stints with Audi, Skoda and Volkswagen, leading work on concepts and production cars like the VW Nils Concept, the Bluesport Roadster and first-generation Skoda Fabia and Superb.

After a couple of years trying to decide where it wanted to be - or at least, how it wanted to be described - on the luxury spectrum everyone seems to be on message now. Volvo will be looking for Ingenlath to continue its progress toward being a "top-tier luxury brand," in the words of CEO Stefan Jacoby, and "a truly luxury automotive brand" in the words of Geely CEO Li Shufu. Check out the official press release below for more details.

Continue reading Volvo replaces Peter Horbury with ex-VW designer

Volvo replaces Peter Horbury with ex-VW designer originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Mar 2012 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lincoln offers peek into new styling direction with design boss Max Wolff

Chris Shunk — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 15:30:00 EST

Filed under: Videos, Ford, Lincoln, Design/Style

For a while there, it looked like Ford forgot about Lincoln, and dismal sales numbers reflected the marque's lack of attention. But just when it was beginning to look like Lincoln was on its last leg, Ford's luxury arm unveiled the refreshed MKS and MKT at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Those models may not go far enough to usher Lincoln back to relevance, but chief Lincoln designer Max Wolff mentioned at the show that the real changes begin with the 2013 MKZ, which was teased during a video prior to the reveal of the revamped MKS.

We'll see what the new MKZ looks like at the Detroit Auto Show, but at the least we can say that Ford is again paying attention to Lincoln. Wolff seems excited about the future of the brand, and he focused some of his excitement in a new video that takes a look at the Lincoln design studio. Designing a vehicle certainly isn't as easy as grabbing a pencil and paper any more, but today's tools look much cooler if you ask us. Hit the jump to watch the video for yourself.

Continue reading Lincoln offers peek into new styling direction with design boss Max Wolff

Lincoln offers peek into new styling direction with design boss Max Wolff originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 21 Nov 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 Art Center Car Classic celebrates Southern California's influence on automotive design

Drew Phillips — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 19:30:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Design/Style

The Pasadena Art Center College of Design held its annual Car Classic this past weekend, an event that has been a must-attend on our calendars for the past few years. While rain hampered last year's Car Classic, this year's event benefited from a typically beautiful Southern California day.

Anyone from the Art Center will tell you that the Car Classic is not a concours event, but rather a display of automotive art. As a result, the selection of cars is fairly eclectic and the vehicles are strewn about the campus lawn in a rather unorganized fashion. While the layout may not be as photogenic, it makes it easy to wander through the sea of cars and simply enjoy each and every one.

Each Car Classic does have a theme, though, and for 2011 the event celebrated Southern California's influence on automotive design. In addition to the Art Center producing some of the world's most famous automotive designers, more than twenty advanced automotive design studios call the area home, several of which brought recent concept cars to display. There were also special displays for California hot rods and California beach culture as well as cars designed by Peter Brock. The Petersen Automotive Museum and Mullin Museum also brought out cars from their impressive collections. You can see a sample of the cars in attendance in the high-res gallery above.

2011 Art Center Car Classic celebrates Southern California's influence on automotive design originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 24 Oct 2011 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lexus vows bolder design, won't "always stay in the middle of mainstream"

Chris Shunk — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 19:59:00 EST

Filed under: Lexus, Toyota, Design/Style

Lexus design has never been very flashy, and many might say (including us) the automaker's entire current lineup is a bit bland-looking (LFA supercar excepted, natch). But that visual conservatism may be about to change: Automotive News is reporting that the Japanese juggernaut plans to change that by taking more risks and striving for more character.

Toyota Design Chief Tokuo Fukuichi tells AN that the brand will build on the design language first introduced in the HS 250h and refined in the GS, but with more emphasis on the fighter jet-inspired grille. Lexus says the eye-catching grille draws from the hourglass shape of a spindle, but it's more than just an expressive face. Fukuichi adds "The spindle grille is not just a design matter; it also has to have a good functional performance in bringing in air."

In short, Lexus is looking to push itself to create more dynamic new models, even if some models don't exactly come off as focus-group friendly. We're all for a sexier Lexus with a personality implant, but a new grille won't be all that's needed. Only time will tell if Toyota's premium marque can shed its conservative tendencies and come up with something more dynamic that still sells.

Lexus vows bolder design, won't "always stay in the middle of mainstream" originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Sep 2011 19:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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I DRAW CARS book coming for budding car designers

Jeff Glucker — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 18:32:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Design/Style

Love cars? Surely, then, you spent many a classroom hour doodling them all over their book covers and binders. Sometimes they looked kinda cool, while other times you wish you had used pencil instead of pen. A new book is in the works that will help budding automotive designers hone their skill, and the octavo will serve as both a sketchbook and a reference guide. It's called I DRAW CARS, and you can help bring it to life.

The team behind the book is currently asking for help on the Kickstarter.com website, and they've nearly hit their goal. There is still room to help out, and for some we'd think this would be money well spent.

I DRAW CARS was created to inspire and guide those who are intrigued by automotive design. The guide portion of the book breaks down the various vehicle segments being produced, as well as the various angles and perspectives one might choose to pen a design. The templates utilize non-photo blue ink, which means you can scan your design into a computer and the template won't come through, leaving just your image behind.

The project aims to put a great tool in the hands of those who dream to someday design the real thing. Check it out at the official website, and head over to Kickstarter if you feel like pitching in.

I DRAW CARS book coming for budding car designers originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 Jun 2011 18:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Are sex and biology the future drivers of automotive design?

Frank Filipponio — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 10:27:00 EST

Filed under: Porsche, Design/Style

It might not get you a date, but this Porsche definitely taps into our biology drives and pumps us up

"Is that a Porsche in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me?" That's the subtitle on a funny and informative piece by colleague Diego Rodriguez over at AOL Autos. In it, Rodriguez looks at the connection between biology and our attraction to certain cars. While relating how deflated he felt every time he had to get into his faded Taurus in a lot full of "Range Bruiser Nantucketmobiles" and Aston Martin DB5s, he points out that it wasn't social conditioning so much as "a hard-wired biological mechanism," at work.

To explain the phenomenon, Rodriguez looks back more than a century to 1899, when "economist Thorstein Veblen published his seminal work The Theory of the Leisure Class, in which he postulated that we buy expensive things not so much for their inherent qualities, but for the attention we receive as we experience said object." He blames it on lekking, the mating dance done by species for eons, but Rodriguez says it goes much further than that:

"...a 911 literally makes a driver more potent from a biological standpoint, whether or not there are witnesses to your possession of the car. A Porsche driver, science says, no matter where or how they drive, have higher testosterone levels than if they were stuck in a sedan. By driving a Porsche they become more potent competitors in the game of life..."

Because of that, Rodriguez sees the future of automotive design linked more closely to biological wants and needs. It's a good read and definitely worth the click over if for nothing else other than the graphic that tops the page - Priceless.

Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Porsche 911 Turbo

[Source: AOL Autos]

Are sex and biology the future drivers of automotive design? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 15 Feb 2010 10:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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RCA design students collaborate with Bentley on the Flying B of the future

Noah Joseph — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 18:27:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Bentley, UK, Design/Style, Luxury

Royal College of Art design students work with Bentley - Click above or below for high-res image gallery

Seems like everybody and their cousin wants to design cars. But even with the right training, it can still be tough for an aspiring auto stylist to break into the field. Bentley, however, is giving a handful of transportation design students a crack at working in its design department.

The program is being held in conjunction with the graduate Vehicle Design Course at the Royal College of Art in London. Eighteen students spent the last few months under the tutelage of Crewe's lead exterior designer Raul Pires, with the four top candidates - Marten Wallgren (Sweden), Mikka Heikkinen (Finland), David Seesing (Germany) and Bora Kim (South Korea) - shortlisted for further collaboration.

Each has penned a novel, futuristic take on the Bentley design ethos, and from among them one will be selected for a job in Bentley's design studio. Click on the thumbnails below to view their designs, and follow the jump for details in the press release.

Gallery: Royal College of Art design students work with Bentley

[Source: Bentley]

Continue reading RCA design students collaborate with Bentley on the Flying B of the future

RCA design students collaborate with Bentley on the Flying B of the future originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 01 Feb 2010 18:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Honda closing European design office in Germany

Noah Joseph — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 17:59:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Europe, Plants/Manufacturing, Honda, Design/Style

2008 Honda Open Study Model - Click above for high-res image gallery

The car design community has been sent reeling by word that Honda plans to close down its European design studio. The office forms part of Honda R&D Europe in Offenbach on the outskirts of Frankfurt, Germany, and while the rest of the research and development facility will continue operating in other capacities, the design studio is reportedly being axed.

The two-floor, 3000-square-meter design studio at Offenbach opened its doors in 1992, and has since handled a variety of automotive and motorcycle design duties for the Japanese automaker - including the Open Study Model pictured above. The reported announcement of its closure arrives against the backdrop of cutbacks across the board for Honda, including its withdrawal from major auto shows, the sale of its (now championship-leading) Formula One team, and temporary closures at assembly plants.

While some of Offenbach's motorcycle design responsibilities are expected to transfer to Honda's comparatively tiny 200-square-meter studio in Milan, there's no telling what will happen to the company's automotive design unit. But if we were living and working in Frankfurt, we'd be pushing for a transfer to Italy like there was no tomorrow - because with the rate at which Honda has been cutting back overhead, we'd bet that's where the future is.

Gallery: Honda OSM Concept

[Source: Car Design News]

REPORT: Honda closing European design office in Germany originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 05 Oct 2009 17:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Franz von Holzhausen talks about the 2011 Tesla Model S

Domenick Yoney — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 20:01:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Green

2011 Tesla Model S - Click above for a high-res image gallery

The crew from On Cars had a chance to spend some quality time with the Tesla Model S and some of the key people bringing this sweet sedan to fruition. In the first of three videos (the other two haven't been released yet), not only are we treated to some gorgeous shots of the Model S, inside and out, but also have the chance to listen to designer Franz von Holzhausen talk at length about the object of our fastback desire. If you've been paying attention to every detail released about the all-electric so far, there might not be a lot of new material for you here, though interestingly, the Model S does get the year 2011 attached to it. That seems a little soon seeing as a factory hasn't been built or acquired yet, but we digress.

Even if you do happen to know every bit of Model S minutiae, it is nice to hear the passion and excitement Franz has for the project as he talks with ardor about proportion and aerodynamics. You can see why Tesla chief, Elon Musk hired him on in the first place. But enough jabbering, hit the jump and check it out for yourself.

Gallery: Tesla Model S

Gallery: Tesla Model S: LIVE REVEAL

[Source: On Cars]

Continue reading VIDEO: Franz von Holzhausen talks about the 2011 Tesla Model S

VIDEO: Franz von Holzhausen talks about the 2011 Tesla Model S originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 09 Jun 2009 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bavaria's new Flagship: Cruiser 55 sailboat by BMW DesignworksUSA

Noah Joseph — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 08:01:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., BMW

Bavaria Cruiser 55 by BMW DesignworksUSA - Click above for a high-res image gallery

The term "flagship" gets thrown around a lot in the auto biz, but this time the term really fits the mold. Styled by the the automaker's design firm, the BMW DesignworksUSA Bavaria Cruiser 55 became the largest vessel in Bavaria's fleet when it launched this past weekend at the Palma Boat Show in Majorca, Spain.

Even in the rapidly reproaching disciplines of automotive design and naval architecture - recent examples of whose collaboration have included Viper-powered, Porsche-designed speedboats and a nautical Volkswagen Caddy - this isn't the first time the BMW design studio has dipped its toes in the water, having designed the Deep Blue 46 motoryacht for the same firm and the even larger 60-foot sailing vessel for Belgian shipyard Zeydon. This latest design benefits from lessons learned in automotive design, while incorporating some of the latest features in naval architecture. Follow the jump to read more in the press release and click the thumbnails below to view the images in high resolution.

Gallery: Bavaria Cruiser 55 by BMW DesignworksUSA

Continue reading Bavaria's new Flagship: Cruiser 55 sailboat by BMW DesignworksUSA

Bavaria's new Flagship: Cruiser 55 sailboat by BMW DesignworksUSA originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 28 Apr 2009 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Former BMW designer Chris Bangle to open own studio?

Chris Paukert — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 13:28:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, BMW, Rumormill

For those who have been wondering when and where lightning-rod designer Chris Bangle will surface again, Automotive News has some scuttlebutt for you. According to the industry publication, the controversial BMW stylist has some plans of his own - for a new design studio.

While Bangle has not yet gone on record as saying anything, BMW's development head, Klaus Draeger has reportedly spilled the flame-surfaced beans, saying: "He's going to make his own dream come true. He's going to open his own design studio."

It isn't yet clear whether Bangle's next project will have an automotive focus or take his talents to other disciplines, but early reports (and a likely non-compete clause in his Bavarian contract) would probably indicate that he will move on to other things. If Bangle does make room for automotive consulting at some point, his design influence could well spread beyond BMW.

[Automotive News - subs req.]

Former BMW designer Chris Bangle to open own studio? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 13 Feb 2009 13:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Buick Reatta a design flop?

Chris Tutor — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 15:02:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Buick

The Buick Reatta a design flop? That's what a University of Michigan professor told The Wall Street Journal recently. Really? The Reatta is the one car that he could find to pick on as an automotive design flop? Sure, the high-tech coupe was overweight and underpowered, overpriced and under-appreciated. But a design flop? I think most of us would agree there are uglier, slower, more poorly-made cars in the history of automobiles. Our Dan Roth even called it a Future Classic not too long ago.

The story is part of a larger collection of design studies that looks at everything from blue jeans to concrete saws. One other automotive element of the series is a gushing story and video about Buick's Invicta concept car. If the piece is to be believed, the LaCrosse that may be based on the Invicta, will surely never make it onto a list of design flops.

So by that logic, fake, plastic portholes insure design success, but sexy, restrained style doesn't.

[Source: The Wall Street Journal]

Buick Reatta a design flop? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 28 Jun 2008 15:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Amateur car design: How fast do your dreams go?

Chris Tutor — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 11:34:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Etc.

I was young when I set up my first automotive company. It was small, as you might expect of a corporation founded by a 14-year-old. CJT Inc. produced only two vehicles. The MF2000 was a super-swoopy, gullwinged sports car with a tri-turbo V-12 that ran on either hydrogen or unleaded. Our other vehicle was an unnamed sport truck I swear GM stole and now, 22 years later, calls the Avalanche (what does that say about GM design? Hmmm).

Both cars, of course, were totally on paper and in my head. In fact, this may be the first time I've ever told anyone about them. They were awful-looking things, of course, since most of the design cues were taken from the mid-80s domestics I saw in my small rural hometown and a few over-the-top Italian supercars.

How many "amateur designers" reading this right now are nodding in agreement, remembering high school notebooks with 20 variations on the 911 profile, but only one page of physics notes?

A.J. Starkey of Texas is one of us armchair car designers. Starkey says his sketches are not meant to attempt to improve upon the pros, but instead are his escape from a relatively mundane cubicle-worker's life. He submitted to Autoblog his take on the admittedly gorgeous Dino rendering of Ugur Sahin. Starkey's take (seen above, with more here.) utilizes more design cues of the past, keeping the rear air intake lower on the body, and generally being more true to classic Ferraris.

Continue reading after the jump.

Continue reading Amateur car design: How fast do your dreams go?

Amateur car design: How fast do your dreams go? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Jul 2007 11:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM shuffles global design team

Chris Tutor — Sun, 06 May 2007 09:26:00 EST

Filed under: Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, GM

GM's made some fairly significant changes to its domestic and international design teams, with former Chrysler designer Bryan Nesbitt coming out pretty good. Nesbitt moves from executive director of design for GM Europe to vice president of design for North America, reporting directly to Ed Welburn, vice president of GM global design. The VP of design NA is a new position according to GM's press release (on the jump). You probably remember Nesbitt's role in the PT Cruiser, HHR and Solstice designs.

Mark Adams will take Nesbitt's place in Europe and also report directly to Welburn. Adams is currently director of exterior design for GM Europe.

Another interesting note is the transfer of Dave Lyon, executive director of design for Asia Pacific, to executive director of interior design for North America. We wonder if it has anything to do with the success of Buick in China. Perhaps GM is hoping some of that success will rub off in the States.

Other design personnel changes are detailed in GM's official press release after the jump.

[Source: Car Body Design]

Continue reading GM shuffles global design team

GM shuffles global design team originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 06 May 2007 09:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Scion in their sights: Coventry design students developing customizable youth car

Chris Tutor — Fri, 09 Mar 2007 09:28:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars

With Scion as their inspiration, three recent graduates from Coventry University's Automotive-Design program are creating their idea of a youth car. For now, the trio is only releasing this conceptual sketch, but they hope to have a 3-D model in 8 weeks.

Kazanori Inomota, Edward Stubbs, and Mujammil Khan-Muztar began the project to envision what young car buyers would want in 2020. Like Scion, the team sees individuality as a driving force in choosing a car, even that far into the future. But instead of wild graphics or neon shifters, they expect even more radical customization.

"It doesn't have to mean crazy paint-jobs and stick-on flames; more likely people will want a 'music-studio option' or a 'gaming experience option', which represents what's important in their life," Mujammil says in a press release that you can read in its entirety after the jump.

Update: Edward Stubbs sent us a series of sketches (see them after the jump) of their vehicle showing several more views and providing a better idea of the car's dimensions and attributes.

Continue reading Scion in their sights: Coventry design students developing customizable youth car

Scion in their sights: Coventry design students developing customizable youth car originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 09 Mar 2007 09:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford launches "Innovations" site

Erin Mays — Thu, 17 Aug 2006 08:56:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Gadgets, Classics, Etc., Green, Marketing/Advertising, Safety, Technology, Ford

Autoblog reader Josh sent us in a tip about Ford's new "Innovations" site, a testament to the company's investments in alternative fuels, safety, design and technology. So far, the site's only active offering is the alternative fuels area, where it boasts Ford's leadership in the development of vehicles that run economically on gasoline, E85, diesel, and in the future, hydrogen.

The site is both promotional and educational -- in the case of the alternative fuels area, the site talks about Ford's current and future product offerings for the various fuel types and even offers up a gas calculator that shows how far one can get on a tank of gas with each type of fuel in each class of vehicle (hydrogen wins out every time, by the way). There is also a timeline conveying Ford's past accomplishments in each of the four areas the company is highlighting on the site, including Ford's plan for the future.

[Source: Ford Motor Company]

Ford launches "Innovations" site originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 17 Aug 2006 08:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Caddy draws on history for richer interior in the 2007 SRX - UPDATED

Erin Mays — Wed, 12 Jul 2006 16:25:00 EST

Filed under: Crossover, Cadillac

Cadillac is borrowing a page out of its own book -- one written decades ago -- to offer consumers an interior in the 2007 Cadillac SRX that's hand-crafted by GM's finest.

The luxury crossover offers up a richer cabin thanks to what GM calls its "cut and sew" method, a manual manufacturing process allowing for decorative French stitching and hand-wrapped coverings on the doors, center console and instrument panel. The result is a hand-tailored appearance, higher quality, softer surfaces and an overall more luxurious feel, the automaker says.

Modern technology complements the old world craftmanship with an upgraded sound system for the 2007 model, including a standard Bose audio system with digital surround sound and a jack for an iPod or other media player.

(Full release and more pics after the jump)

UPDATE - replaced pics with sharper versions

[Source: General Motors]

Continue reading Caddy draws on history for richer interior in the 2007 SRX - UPDATED

Caddy draws on history for richer interior in the 2007 SRX - UPDATED originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 12 Jul 2006 16:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford Bold Moves: Episode 2 - Commitment to Design

Erin Mays — Sun, 09 Jul 2006 16:04:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Marketing/Advertising, Ford

Half Real World, half late-night SPEED channel documentary, Ford's Bold Moves campaign is onto its second episode, Commitment to Design. Ford design gurus J Mays, Peter Horbury and Hau Thai-Tang chime in to accept responsibility for bringing Ford back from the abyss via design. The episode hones in on vehicles such as the Ford Iosis, Superchief truck and Shelby GR-1 to show how Ford is going after bold flavors of design and not vanilla to get its "design mojo back," as Mark Fields says in the episode.

As a bonus, check out an article on the site by our very own John Neff, "The Inside Story: Why A Car's Interior Design Matters More Than Ever" -- you can even vote for our fearless leader's contribution by logging into the Bold Moves site.

[Source: FordBoldMoves.com]

Ford Bold Moves: Episode 2 - Commitment to Design originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 09 Jul 2006 16:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Is retro a dirty word?

Erin Mays — Fri, 28 Apr 2006 10:03:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, Jeep

Inside Line brings us news of a designer's panel that took place in Detroit on Wednesday, featuring notables like Chrysler Group vice president of Jeep, truck and component design Ralph Gilles. Mr. 300 and others lamented about the horrors of going retro, while Ford North American Car director of design Pat Schiavone remarked upon the idea that "heritage," not necessarily retro, is of importance to American car manufacturers.

Designers also gave something of a vocabulary lesson during the panel. Apparently in designer slang, a vehicle that is awful despite a beautiful presentation is "craptastic."

[Source: Inside Line]

Is retro a dirty word? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 28 Apr 2006 10:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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