What's with today's garish, oversized grilles?
#1
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
What's with today's garish, oversized grilles?
Today's automakers seem to be jumping on more and more bandwagons, some of them, IMO, bordering on senseless. Not only are there increasing tendencies today with stiff suspensions, low-profile tires, elimination of true spare tires, door-panels that lack protective side-mouldings, manual prop-rods for hoods on even mid-priced vehicles, and low humpback-whale rooflines that eat up rear-seat headroom and make for difficult entry/exit, but the latest fad from the automakers seems to be garish and/or oversized grilles. We've seen them from Audi, Mitsubishi, Lincoln, Acura, Mazda, and others, but now Buick, Lexus, and Ford seem to be joining in this fad as well. Fortunately, the new Ford Fusion grille, though large (and apparantly Aston-derived) isn't quite as large or garish as some of the others.
Last edited by mmarshall; 01-19-13 at 07:34 PM.
#2
Lexus Champion
iTrader: (20)
because it looks good. lexus did a good thing with the new grilles, for you doubters, just wait and see. car brands style cars for the future, so it might take the people with boring styled personalities a bit longer to like them.
#4
Guest
Posts: n/a
Uhhhh... This is simply a reverse trend from the past. These grills are smaller than grills of past cars.
With so many copy cats brands have to distinguish themselves. While I might not completely agree with Lexus direction I am happy people can shut the hell up about Lexus being bland and uninspiring. Now they complain about it being to bold.
Spindle grill I welcome you and let's see them copy that so it will be obvious who is copying who.
I like most brand grills, BMW, audi, Lexus, Benz for example.
With so many copy cats brands have to distinguish themselves. While I might not completely agree with Lexus direction I am happy people can shut the hell up about Lexus being bland and uninspiring. Now they complain about it being to bold.
Spindle grill I welcome you and let's see them copy that so it will be obvious who is copying who.
I like most brand grills, BMW, audi, Lexus, Benz for example.
#5
Today's automakers seem to be jumping on more and more bandwagons, some of them, IMO, bordering on senseless. Not only are there increasing tendencies today with stiff suspensions, low-profile tires, elimination of true spare tires, door-panels that lack protective side-mouldings, manual prop-rods for hoods on even mid-priced vehicles, and low humpback-whale rooflines that eat up rear-seat headroom and make for difficult entry/exit, but the latest fad from the automakers seems to be garish and/or oversized grilles. We've seen them from Audi, Mitsubishi, Lincoln, Acura, Mazda, and others, but now Buick, Lexus, and Ford seem to be joining in this fad as well. Fortunately, the new Ford Fusion grille, though large (and apparantly Aston-derived) isn't quite as large or garish as some of the others.
Money Talks:Blame cost cutting and sporty designs for more sleek and "sexy" cars than say your old Outback which utilized what it had well.
The way I see it, all these things aren't going away so better buckle up, option your ride with BSM and a backup camera, put on some Dr. Scholls, and enjoy the ride lol
#6
Pole Position
iTrader: (4)
I have only like the oversize grills on Audi and BMW so far. When mercedes and ford started to increase their grills a few years ago, I never liked it. I still don't today.
I don't like the direction lexus is heading, not because its bold, but rather because I think its ugly. I'm glad lexus is deciding to be more sporty, but its not well implemented. IMO lexus spindle grill is like acura's beak, its bold but in a bad way.
I don't like the direction lexus is heading, not because its bold, but rather because I think its ugly. I'm glad lexus is deciding to be more sporty, but its not well implemented. IMO lexus spindle grill is like acura's beak, its bold but in a bad way.
Trending Topics
#9
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
#10
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
#11
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
But I'm talking about normal periods...........the late 50s were anything but normal if you look at the general history of the automobile itself.
With so many copy cats brands have to distinguish themselves. While I might not completely agree with Lexus direction I am happy people can shut the hell up about Lexus being bland and uninspiring. Now they complain about it being too bold.
Spindle grill I welcome you and let's see them copy that so it will be obvious who is copying who.
I like most brand grills, BMW, audi, Lexus, Benz for example.
(just for the record, I generally don't like the parrot-beaks either)
Last edited by mmarshall; 01-20-13 at 06:37 PM.
#12
Lexus Champion
The styling trend towards big prominent grills is a lot like the trend of big prominent tail fins in the 50's. Looking back some of them were really outrageous and not necessarily in a good way. Same with some of the grills today.
I remember when Audi came out with their new grill it was derided as the "horse collar" grill and now in namy ways it is the standard for stylish prominent grills.
It's looking like prominent LED DRL's are now the new styling statement and everyone is trying to be different than the other guys.
In the auto biz and other consumer products, it never stops.
I remember when Audi came out with their new grill it was derided as the "horse collar" grill and now in namy ways it is the standard for stylish prominent grills.
It's looking like prominent LED DRL's are now the new styling statement and everyone is trying to be different than the other guys.
In the auto biz and other consumer products, it never stops.
#14
Lexus Test Driver
#15
Super Moderator
I think it's largely due to pedestrian safety requirements. I certainly don't think manufacturers, who have strict fuel economy standards, WANT to increase the front surface area (and therefore air resistance) of their vehicles. But the new requirements mean manufacturers have to design their cars with a high hood that provides cushioning for a body hitting it, as well as a larger front surface less likely to split a human in two.