Prompt 6: Evaluating Sources

By: Eric B.

Chris Bangle, an American automobile designer for BMW,  has shared his opinions on the designs of others--and they aren't overly positive. He said that ""There is a real need for a change and that's just not happening," he told Automotive News Europe (subscription required). Bangle feels the car design world is stuck in a rut, and that many designers are stuck with the same "mannerisms" as cars of the past. 

From his design direction at BMW, it's clear what he means--while popular, BMW's range before Bangle consisted of very similar designs simply enlarged or shrunk depending on the market segment, all mere evolution of the generations of cars before." (Chris Bangle, motor authority).

From my experience I think that his opinion and judgment is typically true and I agree with Bangle. Now a day's every car looks the same, they all have that same kind of a "jelly bean" shape to them.  This is partly because of aerodynamics and fuel efficiency that you would get from having that type of shape, but still there isn't any real good styling ques to each car and that many car from different companies look really similar.

let's take a look at that "Jelly bean" shape of cars. The Jelly bean shape is really just how cars are more rounded and bubblier. An early car with that look would be like a ford Tourus. but as you take a look at the newer models they become more and more rounded, which is what Bangle was saying about the evolution of the car generations.

OK lets going back on how there isn't any real good styling cues to each car and that many car from different companies look really similar. So if you stop and take a look at the grille of each car from different companies you will see that all look the same. They all have that pointed notch on them. Starting from top down you have the 2016 Subaru legacy, the 2016 ford Taurus, and the 2016 Kia k900. You can see this with vans too, the 2016 Ford Edge, and the 2016 Subaru outback.   

So I do agree with Bangle on how he feels the car design world is stuck in a rut. I also think that now a day's cars are being made for their performance, instead of style. 

Sources

"Chris Bangle On The Problem With Modern Car Designs." Motor Authority. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Mar. 2016.

"Is the '86 Ford Taurus Worthy of Classic Car Status?" Automotive News. N.p., 20 May 2011. Web. 27 Mar. 2016.

"Ford Taurus." Tractor & Construction Plant Wiki. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Mar. 2016.

Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 27 Mar. 2016.

"2016 Subaru Legacy and Outback: More Starlink, More EyeSight, (Almost Same) Price." – News – Car and Driver. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Mar. 2016.

"2016 Kia K900 Luxury Sedan | Challenge The Luxury You Know." 2016 Kia K900 Luxury Sedan | Challenge The Luxury You Know. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Mar. 2016.

"New 2015 / 2016 Ford Edge For Sale Near Houston, TX." New 2015 / 2016 Ford Edge For Sale Houston, TX. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Mar. 2016.

"2016 SUBARU Outback." Introduction. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Mar. 2016.