You are clearly not thinking of me then, I might have to look away. 
1 Like
To be honest, I’ve no idea why they did it, it is ugly. I remember thinking the same when Merc brought out the ugly (IMO) four light look in the late nineties, but I still bought a CLK Kompressor 
Though the quality was poor, not MB’s traditional build to a standard, not a price point (bloody marketeers and accountants, not engineers in charge). So I soon dumped it and bought one of the last SL320s, a V6, which I kept for about fifteen years. A great car.
Luckily more prudent stylists seem to prevailed with the Neue Klass, though why the grill has to be lit (I think Audi are doing the same), I don’t know.
1 Like
Copying the Chinese, now that’s revenge 
2 Likes
You’re probably right. I saw some mid range SUV the other day and counted ten white lights on the front, five each side. They would’t have tried that with incandescent bulbs. Every silver lining has a cloud 
I reckon it’s because there are so many other cars that all basically look the same, the only really effective way of making a particular make instantly recognisable is to play around with the lights.
I parked adjacent to a large silver coloured rather non-descript saloon car at the supermarket today. I had no idea what make of car it was until I saw the word ‘Jaguar’ on the boot lid. Such a shame. There was a time when a Jag actually looked like a Jag instead of a modern version of a German jelly mould.
2 Likes
Every silver lining has a cloud
Or as we used to say, every Silver Cloud has a rusty lining.
1 Like
I reckon that there’s a fella or two in Goodwood who would debate you on that one. In a friendly manner of course.
Two factors have led to the emphasis on lighting, firstly EU regs about daytime lights and secondly the decreasing importance of the front grille with the shift to EVs. However as most manufacturers use vertically angled strips cars tend to look even more similar - BMW’s round instantly identifiable daytime lights being an effective exception. Overall I’d argue that in the last fifteen years of so, family cars have become increasingly angular and aggressive in their styling and daytime lighting style has become an increasingly important aspect of that.
Lastly, the grille although traditionally an important identification element, was usually one of the last parts of a vehicle design to be finalised.
Electric cars should easily be able to incorporate one of these grills for the convenience of customers:
2 Likes
A lot of them look like some sort of cross between Darth Vader and a horrible stinging insect. Creates a distinct tendency towards road rage. Much better to go back to a more rounded and curvaceous style.
1 Like
ICE cars don’t even need that, just a copy of this handy guide:-
Worth keeping it in the car with a copy of this:-
1 Like
Those are quite sweet little cars but it’s such a shame that they didn’t give them a decent coat of paint. That grey orange peel texture finish makes it look like someone forgot to send it to the paint shop.
A decent coat of paint on the plastic panels doesn’t go well, but some people have given them a full vinyl wrap which seems more successful. The blue is a nod to the original 60’s Ami which had a very similar colourway. The new ones are a grey / brown which im not keen on, they do currently have a special edition black one which I think is quite snazzy though!
I used to have one of those, it was brilliant 'till I ruined it by cleaning it with the wrong stuff and removing all the coating.
1 Like
I prefer the Fiat Topilino, SO much cuter!
2 Likes
Has anyone tried to get their EV repaired? My sister has tried 5 mechanics all of whom say they haven’t got anyone who can fix her car. They are trying to get mechanics onto training courses but there’s a shortage of spaces and a wait of about 12 months to get on a course.
I found the same with my electric bike, I can’t find anyone to fix it locally.
It IS much cuter! There’s a special edition vilebrequin version thats very smart. Not sure I’d pay double the price of a basic Ami for it though!
1 Like