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Last week I typed a text about design trends directly in the site's new thread form, and of course, the browser crashed just when I clicked 'submit'. Here’s the second attempt at sharing my thougts...

I've noticed a few design trends across the car industry. The 7th gen civic was the last one to carry late 90's design features like flowing headlights and front bumper. The new GTI is similar in those respects to the old 7th gen civic.

The "new" cars, like the S500, FX35, IS350, sport a line-shaped moulding which traverses the whole length of the car from the front wheels to the rear wheels. It's basically a sort of aerodynamic body kit which is totally integrated with the car's design, giving it a wider yet sportier appearence.

Note the car's sides :






The main change we’ve had in the late 90’s is the new trend to round every line of the car, and an ever-increasing obsession with the headlights. The perfect example is the audi TT.

I forsee that the next design trend will be a based on bulky, boxy designs like the 80’s benzos, but a little rounded off, with simple headlights, like the Chrysler 300

What do you think?

 
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Yes, you can see that they're trying to achieve a look sort of like a Lamborghini's body... trying to make it look wider and more aerodynamic (and most of the time achieving it).
Even the new Civic has gotten that aero line you mentioned... slightly. But more than what our cars have (nothing).


I think you are correct in your prediction. Trends always come and go... and come again.

I don't perfectly understand the "flowing headlights and front bumper" comment. Would you care to explain? Thanks.

 
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Bubble cars are appearing more often. Those aren't just boxes on wheels anymore, they're actual bubbles. The beltlines are more prominent and appear at higher levels. I miss those low slung sportscars. Wheel arches are getting more and more prominent too. The shape is designed to allow for maximum headroom so the trunks seem to get smaller (from the outside). If you noticed, all of the cars that have been posted thus far have the same kind of handle instead of the older 80's-90's style one. The front bumpers have all become extremely rounded (mostly because of european pedestraian standards).

In the future I see more chrome, more accents on what each vehicle's focus is, and more bubbles!!!

 
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You're right. I noticed that but my bran didn't register it.
I like our handles more, though.

 
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My E46 doesn't look modern and that's why I like it. I have no interest in driving a rocket ship.

Well, unless that rocket ship is something like a Murcielago or Gallardo.

 
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Bigger trend seems to be with grills, everyone is trying to have a distinctive grill now.

 
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And the E46 is which model years?

 
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^ 99-06.

2006 is actually a mixed year between e46 and e90, but close enough.

 
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E46 and E90...
2 doors and 4 doors, respectively? (talking about this MY specifically)