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A sensational design One of the not-so-secret reasons why motor cars are popular, to the fury of some, is that some of the designs are just staggeringly beautiful. As with aircraft or yachts, the aesthetics of a perfectly designed machine should never be underestimated. At a time when much so-called Modern Art (the capital M and A says it all) is such empty, vacuous tosh, it is a fact that needs to be remarked that so much industrial design that we have today is outstanding, inventive, clever, even a bit naughty.
This must surely be contender for one of the very best, courtesy of those clever men at Alfa Romeo.
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My 147 took the pants off a ridiculous 207 ricer at the sainsbury traffic lights last week.
All sports cars should, by law, be designed by Italians.
The wisdom of this is illustrated by the imposition on the public eye of artistic atrocities like the last Subaru WRX. Such crimes should result in fines and even, in extreme cases, permanent confinement in avant garde art seminars.
Perfect. Just perfect.
I’m afraid those boring Swedes have topped anything out of Italy
http://forums.streetfire.net/showthread.php?t=3934(Link)
Well, I don’t think they have. It is a totally different kind of aesthetic, so it would be like comparing apples and oranges. (I am a retro kind of person myself). Besides, just because the car is Italian, does not mean the designer isn’t – did you check?
I meant: just because the car is not Italian
As far as I can tell the Koenigsegg was done in-house.
The Alfa’s magnificent. I could go on for hours about the crease running back from the front wheelarch, the chrome round the teardrop-shaped side window, the kamm tail with those round lamp clusters…
Speaking of retro
Are you thinking of buying a new car Jonathan? I seem to recall you posting something about an Aston a few weeks ago…
One of the other good things about fantastic looking cars is that they demand fantastic landscape photography.
But aside from how it looks, the aesthetic value of a vehicle includes all aspects of its’ handling and ride quality too – as well as the sort of environment you are driving in.
I drive a moped around town, but a low-slung cruiser when I go out into the country. The reason for this is the different handling characteristics of each – the moped is quick and agile, but not particularly comfortable, whereas the cruiser is comfortable (longer wheel base and suspension forks) but not particularly quick or agile.
I’d imagine that supercars like the Koenigseggs (ugly) and the Zondas of this world would be a nightmare to drive in busy downtown areas, whereas something like a 147 might feel much better in that kind of environment.
Then again, as I can’t afford a Zonda or Alpha, what do I know?!
Yes but is this new Alfa going to be more reliable that ones of old. It is a lovely looking car it has to be said.
Ian, the Swedish car looks hot, but the aesthic is more brutal, rather like the difference between a Spitfire and a Lightening.
Andrew, the quality control of Alfas has improved in the last 10 years, but it is undeniable that the brand suffered terribly from shit build quality in the 70s and the 80s.
Mike, I cannot afford one, but that won’t stop me linking to gorgeous machines! I love them all.
I could just about afford the new Alfa Spider. Yum-yum!
“Almost naughty” from the sides and front, yes.
But what the hell is that chopped off rear about? Why is that so popular? It’s aerodynamically ridiculous.
Look at a wing, or a fish: Blunt front end to shoulder the air or water out of the way, knife-edge in back to close the hole you’ve made without turbulence.
This car, like most modern cars, is designed backwards.
(I am indebted to T. Sturgeon, he of Sturgeon’s Law, for this observation.)
They got the front right, at least. But relatively speaking, the rear is blunter than the front.
No, it isn’t. At least, not if it’s done properly. The aerodynamicist Wunibald Kamm showed in the ’30s that if you direct the air along the path it needs to go to “close the hole”, then simply let it go, you end up with a more efficient shape because there’s no friction along that tapering point that was hitherto thought necessary.
That’s why very few cars these days taper towards a point or knife edge, even if they don’t always have the classic “truncated teardrop” Kamm shape.
Err, tosh?
Bleech. To each their own, I suppose.
“Err, Tosh?”, asks someoneone. Well, if you are criticising my attack on Modern Art, then I defy anyone to mount a coherent, belieavable defence of that steaming pile of dishonest, shallow dreck. A modern car design beats such stuff hands down.
James, what are you on about?
Actually, like most cars today, it is ugly. I still like the old ‘Vette Stingray myself. I guess I am just too old.
Actually, because I am old, I still prefer a steam locomotive – cars just don’t cut it for me…
“I could just about afford the new Alfa Spider.”
Mmm – not a bad looking bit of kit either, really. Although I have to say, I find this rather fetching myself.