The most overused Crossover styling element

"Just wear your damn mask..." (jimal) 12/05/2018 at 08:41 • Filed to: None

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Mark my words. When the history of this era of the automobile is written, this styling element that every automaker seems to be forcing into their crossover designs will be seen as the landau top/opera window combo of the era.

ranwhenparked > Just wear your damn mask... 12/05/2018 at 08:57

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At least those opera windows were actual glass you could see through. A lot of these floating roof pillars are just shiny plastic cladding that is going to eventually oxidize and look like crap. 

shop-teacher > Just wear your damn mask... 12/05/2018 at 09:03

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That’s a good observation.

Ash78, voting early and often > Just wear your damn mask... 12/05/2018 at 09:13

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I agree. I believe Nissan started it with the new Murano — or at least that was the first mass-market application of the new style. Then the Lexus RX took over as the poster child. Now at least a dozen models have it. Not just crossovers...the new Odyssey, as well.

It absolutely will not age well. Your analogy is apt.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Just wear your damn mask... 12/05/2018 at 09:18

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The terrain looks very silly with snow sitting on that 3/4 window sill. its just do high up, for no reason. 

functionoverfashion > Just wear your damn mask... 12/05/2018 at 09:27

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I agree, I hate that styling detail. I didn’t even like how the rear window went up at the bottom on my wife’s X3:

Why not this?

That detail bothered me. I bet you can guess how I feel about this:

Textured Soy Protein > Just wear your damn mask... 12/05/2018 at 09:27

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But...are there any other crossovers besides these 3 that have the styling element in question?

(And no, the Nissan Maxima doesn’t count.)

nerd_racing > functionoverfashion 12/05/2018 at 09:28

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That’s what they call the hoffmeister kink.  On BMWs anyway. 

FatherMcKenzie > Just wear your damn mask... 12/05/2018 at 09:29

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At least landau tops and opera windows look good on those examples. The blacked out pillar/ ““““ floating roof”””” thing never does.

fintail > Just wear your damn mask... 12/05/2018 at 09:32

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The faux floating C-pillar, and related styling cliches, really are that loathsome, and also show how the design community are copycat sycophants.

A beltline upkick at the C-D pillar also irks me, a cheap way to add what some see as dynamism when it isn’t needed.

functionoverfashion > nerd_racing 12/05/2018 at 09:37

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Just wear your damn mask... > Textured Soy Protein 12/05/2018 at 09:58

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I belive there are, but I’m not familiar enough with all the different crossover models to find more examples. I figured three would be enough to make my point.

Just wear your damn mask... > ranwhenparked 12/05/2018 at 10:00

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I don’t think any of those opera windows are in a position to be useful from the interior, as all they do is expose the package tray to more UV light.

winterlegacy, here 'till the end > Just wear your damn mask... 12/05/2018 at 10:03

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It’ll be useful if you could see out of it as the driver.

Giant blind spots...

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > Just wear your damn mask... 12/05/2018 at 10:17

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I like opera windows and faux landaus! They're incredibly dumb, but look classy in a trashy sort of way. 

Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero > Textured Soy Protein 12/05/2018 at 10:19

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i think the compass uses a floating roof. or maybe its just different colored

Textured Soy Protein > Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero 12/05/2018 at 10:22

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Sorta kinda maybe? The Compass extends the chrome trim around the windows across the C-pillar and over to the hatch, and is available with a black roof. 

Nibbles > Just wear your damn mask... 12/05/2018 at 10:48

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All three of those opera windows are on the rear seats.

Also obligatory “Fuck you, Cris Collinsworth”

Just wear your damn mask... > Nibbles 12/05/2018 at 10:56

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Fuck. I was too lazy and picked coupes instead of sedans. On the right Town Car or DeVille they are over the package tray.

Obligatory reply: “Wow. If you look at the blow Nibbles took to his head. I mean, if that isn’t a penalty I don’t know what is . When Clay Matthews gets flagged for much less... I don’t know what the refs are looking it. Either way, Nibbles is obviously woozy and going into the tent.”

Svend > Textured Soy Protein 12/05/2018 at 10:56

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There are non crossovers this side of the pond that has it.

Vauxhall

Astra

Though the Astra estate has the floating roof

As does the 

Adam

Crossland X

The Grandland X does it’s own thing, bit of both.

yes that is a window in the C pillar.

ranwhenparked > Just wear your damn mask... 12/05/2018 at 11:57

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They let in light and glass weathers better than plastic.

Khalbali > Just wear your damn mask... 12/05/2018 at 18:17

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Unpopular opinion time- I like it.

I can see it not aging well though.