I don’t think it’s a stretch to say there has been a discernible shift towards overt aggression and confrontation as a general theme in this modern age. This shift has unsurprisingly infected automotive design, a trend that merits critical examination. Peter Stevens is fully qualified to comment on modern car design, seeing as how he is the designer of the McLaren F1 and also penned the Lotus Elan M100, the Le Mans-winning BMW V12 LMR, and the limited-run
Stevens questions the rationale behind this prevailing aesthetic. His beliefs are that the essence of automotive design should transcend mere visual intimidation, aiming instead to harmonize form with function and to evoke a sense of timeless elegance. Just look at the cars he designed!
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The Allure Of Aggression
Modern vehicles often exhibit sharp lines, exaggerated grilles, hard edges, and an overall demeanor that suggests hostility. Think through a few modern car models, and you can’t unsee it.
“Cars nowadays all have to be so aggressive. So much so that if you walk your dog near a new model, you worry whether it might get bitten!”
This aggressive styling ostensibly caters to a market craving assertiveness and dominance on the road. However, could this approach be symptomatic of a deeper uncertainty within the industry—a struggle to define a cohesive design language in the era of electric vehicles? The absence of traditional design constraints, such as the need for large grilles to cool internal combustion engines, has led to a proliferation of designs that lack coherence and, at times, appear contrived. Stevens told Auto Express, “There is no [cohesive] design language for EVs, and people are desperately trying to find one. You’ve got grilles that look like electric fires, and the wheels are always unbelievably fussy.”
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The Impact of Electric Vehicle Architecture on Design
The transition to EVs was heralded as an opportunity to revolutionize automotive design, offering unprecedented freedom to reimagine the shape and flow of vehicles as we know it. Yet, the necessity to accommodate substantial battery packs, typically positioned beneath the cabin floor, has resulted in vehicles with proportions reminiscent of off-roaders, irrespective of their intended use. This architectural constraint challenges designers to innovate within a new paradigm, balancing aesthetic appeal with functional requirements.
Technology Is Shaping Design
The advent of computer-aided design (CAD) has undoubtedly transformed the design process, offering precision and efficiency. However, an over-reliance on digital tools can lead to designs that, while technically “good”, may lack the heart and tactile sensibility that physical clay models imparts. The collaborative environment fostered by traditional clay modeling, where designers and craftspeople collaborate, often gives us more organic and emotionally resonant shapes. It really can’t be overstated; we must integrate technological advancements alongside traditional methodologies to preserve the artistry responsible for over a century of automotive design that has led to this artistic history that has touched so many people over the many years, models, shapes, curves, fins, strakes, lines…
The Necessity For A Cohesive Design Language In The EV Era
The current landscape of EV design is marked by a lack of unified aesthetic principles. Manufacturers experimented with disconnected design elements—grilles resembling electric heaters and excessively intricate wheel designs—in an attempt to establish identity and differentiation. This fractured approach highlights the urgency for a cohesive design language that embodies the essence of our tech-driven future while still honoring the lineage of automotive design.
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The Future Of Car Design Looks Boring
The aggressive styling prevalent today might be as simple as marketing strategies aimed at capturing our attention in a world rife with excess. The pursuit of novelty, often called by “disruption”, reflects a broader trend of conformity to contrarianism, where aesthetic decisions are driven by the imperative to stand out, sometimes at the expense of coherence and taste. It is crucial for designers to navigate these market pressures thoughtfully, ensuring that innovation does not further devolve into gratuitous ornamentation.
As the industry continues to shift, the role of design becomes increasingly pivotal in defining brand identity and consumer satisfaction. With the convergence of technologies and the homogenization of vehicle platforms, design emerges as the primary difference. This calls for a renewed emphasis on authenticity, sustainability, and emotional resonance in design.
TopSpeed’s Take
In fairness, not all car makers are charging blindly with the trend. Mercedes and BMW admitted some design simplification is needed at each of the respective companies.
“Cars will slowly become more of a subjective [matter] because design will be the only way to differentiate them, making it the way something looks all the more important.”
The current obsession with homicidal-looking cars might warrant a little introspection. By acknowledging the limitations imposed by new technologies, reassessing the tools and processes that shape our creative endeavors, and striving for a unified and meaningful design language, we can steer the future of automotive design towards a more thoughtful and enduring direction. This responsibility requires designers to balance innovation with tradition, ensuring that the vehicles of tomorrow resonate with the timeless qualities that have long defined at least something that connects with why we love cars.
Source: Auto Express
