The Best Car Design This Century?

[cul202]

Alfa 8C

Gallado

any of the current gen Astons

GTR concept > production

latest gen Elfins

Citreon C6

the retro redesigns of the following (all of which are one-offs)

-Ferrari P4/5

-Lambo Muira

-Lancia Stratos

man the new Bonds ad is distracting

[scathing]

I'd like to see you start it Alan, just so I can contribute with an 'insane' Megane.

Yeah I was originally going to say it was a tie between the Megane and the Panamera (seriously, Porsche, what the f**k are you guys smoking?) but Ssanyong trumps everything.

[Kranker]

I agree scathing, Sssanyong does make truly hideous cars, but thats to be expected, they cant do any better, its like that one retarded kid in primary school who does crap drawings, you cant blame him, he's a retard.

The Cayenne and the Panamera are made by a company that is supposed to make good looking cars.

Thus making the two hideous porsches far worse in my book than any Ssanyong.

My votes go to the DB9 and the Alfa 8C, stunning to look at, yet not overdone.

[scathing]

The Cayenne and the Panamera are made by a company that is supposed to make good looking cars.

I don't know about that. Porsche only makes cars with 1 look. And, in my opinion, its a pretty average look at that.

Old 911s looked like a squashed frog from front on and the rear-engined fat arse didn't do it any favours either. Without the "fried egg" headlights of the 996 (the only 911 I like) the current 911 just looks like an overweight frog.

The only design cue I like on the 911 is the fat wheels with low offset.

Don't even get me started on the Cayman. Without the wing up you can't tell the front from the back in silhouette, and even then its just a slightly deformed 911.

[Kranker]

yeh i agree with ur opinions on porsche styling 100%,

but a large percentage of the general public still think a 911 is a nice looking car, thats what i was getting.

[scathing]

but a large percentage of the general public still think a 911 is a nice looking car, thats what i was getting.

A large percentage of the general public also think that anyone in a modified Japanese sports car is automatically a hoon (and quite possibly a gang member / drug dealer), so their opinions on cars can generally be ignored. Most people are stupid.

A Porsche is a giant, brand-name, penis extension for investment bankers, lawyers, and other people that no-one likes. Its like caviar or truffles - it tastes like shit, but people want to be seen eating it.

Back on topic, I reckon the Alfa Romeo MiTo GTA is the one of the best looking hot hatches around:

The front bar could do with a little work on the corners (the down drooping makes it look like a Warner Brothers cartoon vulture sharing screen time with Bugs Bunny) but, overall, its a great shape.

Also, the Scion iQ looks brilliant:

I saw a few unbodykitted iQs in Europe and they're basically the size of a Smart ForTwo, but with rear seats. In terms of exterior design its a winner in form and function, in my books.

Edited August 20, 2009 by scathing

[CARSICK]

M1 Hommage Beemer = sweet as...

[melv1n]

mc f1

[KezR33]

Saleen S7

[kinetichaze]

Aston Martin AMV8

[PhilKenSebben]

Scathing, while I agree Porsche's exterior design engineers should have stopped being paid around the 70's, when they stopped doing any work, I can't go with the "tastes like shit" analogy.

People buy them because they are APPARENTLY one of the world's best driver's cars. I haven't driven one so my view is worth zip.

But a phrase that is uttered by so many journalists the world over is "people who don't like Porsches, have obviously never driven one."

And come on, the GT3 is still a sexy car. Maybe not as sexy as the F430, but you'd still consider selling your soul for one.

[jase-r34]

Porsche's are brilliant to drive IMO. I have driven pretty much all kinds of the 993/996 models, and some of the 997 911's. The boxster's though are just kinda gay. The cayman goes well, but doesn't deserve a mention in a thread with this heading, and the same story with the Cayenne.

Working with and around guys that had been working on porsche's since the 80's though, I came to the conclusion that they all preferred the way the old 911's drove. "You steered with you right foot as much, if not more than the steering wheel" is one thing I remember being said.

The design though is something I believe you either love, or hate. As far as I am aware, Porsche survey current owner's and club members of what they want to see on the future design of the 911. The same shape has been kept for a long, long time and it's not by accident. Obviously there are people out there, and a lot of them, that love it.

Oh and 997 GT3 = sexual.

[scathing]

Scathing, while I agree Porsche's exterior design engineers should have stopped being paid around the 70's, when they stopped doing any work, I can't go with the "tastes like shit" analogy.

People buy them because they are APPARENTLY one of the world's best driver's cars. I haven't driven one so my view is worth zip.

That last paragraph is as accurate as it is irrelevant. We're talking about aesthetics here, not mechanics. You left out half my analogy, which is why you missed the point. My point is that its irrelevant what the car is like physically; because the badge has cachet people will put up with anything.

How many of the investment bankers, lawyers, doctors and the like actually drive their Porsches the way the chassis engineers intended?

I happen to adore the way the Boxster handles, but a big reason why so many people choose to get a Z4 or SLK is because they don't want to be seen in "a poor man's Porsche" (point proven above). That's despite the car being better in almost every objective measure, power aside, and most interaction-related subjective ones than the other 2 Germans. However, these prospective buyers couldn't give a toss how good it is to drive, just how good it is to be seen in.

The 911 is the same. Most of the buyers still don't give a toss how it flattering the chassis is on the road, just how flattering the key is hanging out of their hands. It's just that, unlike the Boxster, the equation flips the other way.

For every owner that takes their Porker out on the track, you can be damned well sure that there are a dozen whose only "sports" driving involve navigating the golf course car park.

And come on, the GT3 is still a sexy car.

Aesthetically, not really. It looks like a regular 911, which I find ugly, with a big bodykit on it. Visually its the equivalent of WRX or Evo.

I'd never own a GT3. For the cost I could buy a BMW M3 sedan for the street and have something far more practical, along with a Radical SR8 for the track which is an order of magnitude faster.

[madbung]

www.moslerauto.com

Raw GTA type goodness, it aint fancy that's why I like it.

MOSLER MT900S Technical Specification

Engine

Make: Mosler modified General Motors Corvette LS6

Type: 90 degree OHV V8, aluminium block and heads.

Displacement: 5,665 cc.

Bore & Stroke: 99.0 X 92.0 mm

Power: 435hp @ 6,000 rpm

Torque: 400 lb.ft @ 4,800 rpm

Transmission

Make: Mosler modified Porsche GT3R

Type: 6 speed manual gearbox

Differential: Limited slip

Performance

0- 60mph 3.1 sec

0- 100mph 7.5 sec

0- 150mph 10.0sec

0- 180mph 39.2sec

60- 0mph 100ft

100- 0mph 275ft

30-70mph 2.6sec

Standing quarter mile: 11.8sec @ 125mph

Standing kilometre 21.1sec @ 157mph

Top speed: 190+mph

Fuel economy: 18mpg city 26mpg extra urban

Fuel capacity: 62 litres

Front / Rear Suspension

Type: Double wishbone, aluminium upper, chrome-moly lower, cast aluminium uprights

Shock absorbers: Penske three-way adjustable coil over

Anti roll bars: Adjustable blades front & rear

Steering

Type: Unassisted rack & pinion

Ratio: 2.5:1

Turns lock to lock: 2.5

Wheel: 350mm dia.

Brakes

Make: Wilwood

Type: 355mm grooved ventilated discs front & rear

Calipers: Alloy 6 piston

Wheels

Make: OZ Racing Superleggera III.

Type: Aluminium 12 spoke 3piece

Front: 19in x 9in

Rear: 20in x 12in

Tyres

Make: Dunlop optional Michelin

Type: SP9000 Sport Pilot Sport PS2

Front: 265/35 ZR – 19

Rear: 335/30 ZR – 20

Body

Type: 2 door, mid engine, 2 seat coupe

Construction: 4 piece E – glass composite

Chassis

Type: Centre tub front & rear subframes

Construction: Advanced aluminium honeycomb composite

Aerospace spec. steel subframes

Dimensions

Wheelbase: 109 in 2768 mm

Length: 189 in 4801 mm

Width: 79 in 2006 mm

Height: 44.5 in 1130 mm

Front track: 66 in 1676 mm

Rear track: 64.75 in 1645 mm

Ground clearance: 4.5 in 114 mm

Weight: 2,200 lbs 1,000 kg

Exterior

Front aerodynamic splitter, rear air diffuser, adjustable carbon rear aerofoil, tinted glass, scissor type doors. twin stainless tailpipes, single blade pantograph windscreen wiper and washer, interior adjustable door mirrors. Towing eyes front and rear.

Interior

Adjustable for rake and reach drivers seat, Momo leather steering wheel, three point seat belts, A/C climate control, electric windows, integrated Toad alarm and electric door lock system, Tilton pedals, Leather, suede type and carbon fibre interior trim, wool carpets, digital race car type instrument panel, Cockpit adjustable front/back brake bias, dipping interior mirror, am/fm/cd stereo, leather gear and handbrake gaiters, rear luggage bay. Fire extinguisher.

Electrical

Projector headlights, rear fog light, emergency front lights high capacity battery.

Security

Thatcham approved Toad alarm system.

Optional equipment

Total Engine Concepts 7 litre engine

Hewland NLT sequential gearbox

Willans 4 point seat belts

Metallic paint

BBS 3 part racing wheels

[Black Widow]

fxx!!!

Have to say i don't agree...definitely not a fan..

more maybach

mmm...maybach excelero...i remember when Mick Doohan drove this around bathurst and got it back to the pits and smashed the front bar on a grate lol

Ferrari 458 Italia

i don't like the 458. Everything just looks odd on it..

Give me a 430 any day

I will always have a soft spot for the AM db9

sure it's not as flamboyant or ostentatious as ferrari and lambo flabours of the week,

but it has that certain timeless class that stands the test of time

Aston Martins will always be classy...it's just the way the world is.

Mclaren F1...probably my all time fav car...

Audi R8

futuristic design that sticks, may not be the best looking thing, but they've taken a fair chance and it hasnt fallen flat on it's face, which is a hell of an acheivement.

It's just such a well designed car. I love it.

I have to say the winner for me is:

[scathing]

Wow, a bodykitted version of a frog-shaped car that looks practically like every one prior to it for the last 80 years has the most beautiful and innovative exterior in the last 9ish years?

[sh@un]

since you said this century, that counts out the F1, so i'd have to say this is my fave car design

i've always been a fan of the F1, but i might actually be able to own one of these one day...

[GTR-N1]

^^^ That's one big sweeeeeetie

[nisskid]

Maserati MC12

[sh@un]

^^^ That's one big sweeeeeetie

oh hells yeah

wonder if you'll be able to get 'em in the same chromulsion silver as the F1 cars?