New Riley ELF….???

Today, BMW which one stage owned Rover group and screwed up own Triumph and Riley brands.

It has been over a decade since Mini was re-made by BMW and there is always some demand of up-graded Mini….equal New Riley Elf.

So, I played with Photoshop here.

This is based on Mini Countryman which is station wagon of Mini. I removed quarter glass to make it 3 box style.

Well….I noticed how bulky the new mini is……it does not look as clean as original mini.
Originally, Mini was designed by Brithsh….but not anymore. Britain and German had been fighting since the history began and their cultures are  quite different.

I don’t think German understand British beauty…..Look at New Bentley or RR !!

Anyway…go back to Riley Elf.

Original Elf was Mini + extended boot space. But this one is……Mini Countryman – Luggage space….this means this car is not as practical as Countryman.

If I think this way, maybe there is no reason to make it.

Or, in North America, 3 box sedans are more popular…..so, they could make for North American market….

Another problem is how many people remember “Riley”? This way, I will have to say negative things.

It is good to have big brother of Mini….but Ryley brand is a bit too old…so as Triumph.

Today, BMW is making many variation of Mini. This means they need something  upgraded version and I am quite curious how they are going to do.

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Car Design….2013 Lexus LS

LEXUS LS400 was first introduced as 1990 model in North America. It was the first successful Japanese luxury car in North America although it was more expensive than Cadillac or Lincoln.

It has been over 20 years and this year, New LS was introduced.
What do you think of this front mask?

To me, it just looks like cheap crappy boy’s racer or something

Just like it.

Japanese are a bit funny about car design.

If they try sporty looks, it ends up like cheap ugly low IQ crappy boy’s racer.

If they try to be luxury or coｎservative, they end up with Dull & Boring.

As reality, Lexus was not bad cars,,,,,but design were a bit too bland….or honestly dull & boring.

Also during the past 2 decades, the average age owners is getting higher and higher.That was how, they are trying to attract younger people….but I just can’t understand this ugly face.

So, I did some facelift by using Adobe Photoshop.

First of all, I just could not stand the ugly “spindle grill” What I did won’t look as characteristic as original one…but I am sure this is more sophisticated and will suit for wider market. The original one will be work only  in China & South East Asia.

This time, I only worked on around front bumper and grill….but I’ d like to do something about the headlamps too.

Today, all the cars are silver, silver and silver….I just don’t like it. Color is also a part of car design and depends on color, chrome finish or that kind of little items supposed to be changed as well.

Depending on silver means designers are trying easy way.

Hey you designers! do your job!

Car Design…Bentley Continental Flying Spur

Original photo of Bentley Continental Flying Spur

Bentley used to be owned by Rolls-Royce and were more personal and sportier character compare to Rolls Royce.

In 1999, Volks Wagen took over Rolls Royce…..but they failed to purchase RR brand although they took over all the company. That was how VW started to make Bentley instead of RR.

But for VW which is famous mass production company, the traditional Rolls Royce twin were not their taste.

So, in 2003, they started selling Bentley Continental GT….which share the main components with Volkswagen Phaeton, Then, Continental Flying Spur is 4 door sedan version of Continental GT.

Tell the truth….this design looks “fancy KIA” to me.

Bentley tried to get out of traditional Rolls Royce platform and so as its design. They just tried to be more sporty or something.

What is the problem of this design?

To me, it is missing the balance a bit around the C pillar which I marked with Red circle.  This part is extremely important cor car design.

This is the one I gave some modification by Adobe Photoshop.

Bentley Continental Flying Spur _ Modified design

Bentley Continental Flying Spur _ Modified design

• I modified the shape of C pillar. I did not touch the roof line…just the shape of rear door. That will make more stable more luxurious but could be a bit less sporty…
• Another point is Chrome side mole.

Side mole is extremely important for car design…but these days lots of designers don’ t know because very few cars have those today.

The original one looks a bit too low and that is making it look taller and heavier. That will work for Rolls Royce….but to me, I prefer to be a bit higher as mime shows.

Bentley is Luxury car and also at the same time, it is sporty too. This way, it will look a bit hard to do….but, no worry, all you have to do is follow the basics of car design.

Always those to I talked has been extremely important and even in 21st century too.

Car Design…2010 Ford Mustang

This type of Mustang first came out in 2005. The biggest sales point was…..its Retro style…The design team just gave up their own style and tried to copy successful 64 original Mastang.

My honest opinion was…it was exactly same as what I thought about Camaro later on “Big fat ugly pig!”

As I said about Camaro, difficult point about Retro style is….how to go through model change.

Mustang went through minor change for 2010 model. How did they change?

At least they modified around ugly wheel arch and looks a bit better looking…..but still It looks “heavy” to me.

I don’t understand why modern Americans got such a High belt line. That make it look heavy and clumsy.

Also for any car design, positioning between wheel and wheel arch…..that is extremely important. It is also including wheel size.

I will say American people are very bad about that. This is exactly the same as Camaro.

There is too much space between wheel and wheel arch and it make the body look floating in the air….instead of looking stable.

On this image,

• Belt line has been lowered down to make it slimmer.
• Reduced gap between wheel & wheel arch.

And more…..what I don’t like this car is….the angle of front windshield.

American people simply think leaning windshield is cool……actually, that is badly spoiling the space utility as well. I just don’t like top end of windshield comes right in front of my forehead.

I am only 5.8ft tall and 146lb…..I am not big at all and just feel cramped  especially around forehead and side way. At the same time, head clearance is too much…..

On this one I lifted front windshield a bit….but it still does not affect much on design and will increase space utility.

Original Mustang was not only sporty, but also practical and fashionable and that was the reason ob the big sales.

During the last 4 decades, what Ford did was….just ruining the reputation of the original.

They say they copied original Mustang…..but to me, it only look like unpopular 1974 Mustang2. Well….even 74 Mustang2 was the one which they tried to copy original and failed.