: How car designers continue to lure buyers into their showrooms
Sport-utility vehicles - Emphasis on "sport"
If there's one SUV whose design transcends the realms of branding and size, it's the 2nd-generation
Toyota RAV 4. Unlike its predecessor whose cuteness came mostly from its diminutive size and
cartoonish looks, the current one is simply good-looking in every sense of the word. If BMW's
upcoming X3 compact SUV looked anything like this, it would still be a winner. (Just imagine
BMW's kidney grilles and dogleg rear pillar on the RAV 4.)
The visual sizzle begins with the radically raked beltline that starts from the leading edge of the
front fender, through the lower edge of the side windows and terminating at the D-pillar. This gives
the greenhouse a wedge effect, which is echoed in the shape of the side moldings. Racy
largest-in-class 16" wheels, plastic fender flares in a contrasting color, short overhangs, a slanted
tailgate and glaring cat's eye headlamps all add up to an aggressive, purposeful look. Toyota didn't
miss a trick!
Platform-sharing 101
It's no secret that carmakers share vehicle platforms not just across their model lines within a brand,
but across different brands as well. They do this to achieve economies of scale in both the R&D and
manufacturing processes. Toyota does this with its Lexus brand. So does Nissan with Infiniti. Ditto
Volkswagen with Audi, Kia with Hyundai and America's Big Three: Ford with Mercury and Lincoln,
Chevrolet with Buick and Pontiac and Chrysler with Dodge.
Our very own Ford Lynx, which shares its platform with the Mazda Prot?g?/323, is a prime example.
There are varying degrees of differentiation in platform-sharing, depending on each model's market.
(The Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator fraternal twins are another example.) The Lynx/Prot?g?
project is what may be termed a mid-level differentiation, with different front and rear ends and
distinct suspension tuning and interior trim levels. Otherwise, they are mechanically identical. Even
the doors, roof and all the window glass are the same. Did you spot those similarities?
Family ties
Europeans are the uncontested masters when it comes to visual family ties. Rolls-Royce, Bentley and
Mercedes-Benz have their famous grilles. So does BMW, which adds its trademark dogleg rear pillar to
the mix. Go back many decades to these carmakers' earliest models and the car you'll see won't be
mistaken for anything else.
There is, however, one body part used as a design cue that has been endearingly synonymous with one
marque: the graceful side windows of Porsche 911s from the very first 1963 model up to the present.
Retro-styling - Past forward
Every major manufacturer has at least one model that is inspired either by past automotive icons like
the New Beetle and the new BMW-designed Mini Cooper or one that simply employs vintage design cues
like the Nissan Verita.
Unfortunately, most of these "heritage design" cars are not available here. I saw two noteworthy
examples in this year's Detroit Auto Show and they are from none other than Ford: the GT40 and the 2004
Mustang - two legends from the 60s - reincarnated in all their 21st century glory.
The Mustang, the very first American muscle car, needs no introduction. The GT40, on the other hand,
is best known for beating Ferrari at its own game, slaying the Italian giant in the highest profile endurance
racing of all, the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Three years in a row.
