Friday Evening Question #5: Automotive Dopplegangers

"JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7" (jayzayeighty) 01/10/2014 at 18:00 • Filed to: Friday evening question, feq, honda, accord, 2015 mustang, ford, mustang, hyundai

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It seems that the general consensus these days (and probably these years) on Oppositelock is that far too many cars today look similar—more problematic, though, is that we see them as being downright plain . Of course, some cars are a bit less bland (such as the 2015 Mustang with its debatable appearance), but still remind of other new cars for sale—possibly because so many of today's cars seem to be bland, derivative of other cars' styling, or downright weird solely for uniqueness's sake. In any event, we are always connecting the appearances of different cars—while sometimes these comparisons serve as compliments when pointing out the resemblance of a cheaper car to a more expensive and attractive one, or as design criticism when remarking on a premium car's likeness to an economy car or simply lower-grade vehicle. As with most automotive trends (whether you believe this one truly exists or is just blown out of proportion by others) it has sparked contention between exasperated people who don't care to question and the naysayers and cynics who are said (by the aforementioned group of self-righteous people who go around saying "quit yer bitchin'" constantly) to always look for something to complain about.

Anyways, that was a royal digression. Today's FEQ is:

What cars (new or old) look very similar to another car/cars and what are those cars that they bear a strong resemblance to?

(Of course, I am not writing this for the (sole) purpose of antagonizing new car designers and generalizing modern cars as boring looking, so older cars that seem to be copies of or identical to other cars are welcome as responses.)

As they looked around the crowded convention center, the new cars at the auto show kept finding more and more of what seemed to be their long-lost siblings.

Also: STOP COPYING MY THOUGHTS, EVERYONE. First this FEQ was going to be about performance bargains (which was taken and FP'd) and then it was going to be about cars that have been most improved (became a QOTD). Honestly, this makes NSA mind-reading tactics just all too obvious.

Questions of Friday evenings past:

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Mikeado > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 01/10/2014 at 18:05

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If you lined up 5 mainstream cars from any given decade, you'd find they all looked pretty similar to each other.

Simplify, then add beer > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 01/10/2014 at 18:09

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These two:

The Opponaut formerly known as MattP123 > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 01/10/2014 at 18:15

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Accord coupe and C coupe.

Textured Soy Protein > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 01/10/2014 at 18:19

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oldirtybootz > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 01/10/2014 at 18:24

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People always say I'm crazy when I say that the Accord has the ass of the Genesis. The Accord coupe reminds me of a Solara.

With-a-G is back to not having anything written after his username > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 01/10/2014 at 18:37

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I'm going to bend the rules just to allow this observation I recently made:

The C-pillar/rear side window/roof/backlight nexus on the 1969 Barracuda:

presaged the better executed and future classic C-pillar/rear side window/roof/backlight nexus on the Lotus Evora:

It looks like the old Mopar designers wish they could achieve that perfect checkerboard crosspoint but were limited in what they could accomplish at the time.

For Sweden > Textured Soy Protein 01/10/2014 at 18:47

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Dat Efficient Aerodynamic

EL_ULY > Textured Soy Protein 01/10/2014 at 18:47

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should of used an A6 so they would all be FWD

RaymondStantz > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 01/10/2014 at 18:56

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Rover SD1 and Ferrari Daytona is always a fun one.

signintokinjalol > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 01/10/2014 at 18:58

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You guys need glasses.

RaymondStantz > oldirtybootz 01/10/2014 at 18:59

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Solara you say? Yeah, you're pretty crazy ;)

Jayhawk Jake > Simplify, then add beer 01/10/2014 at 19:05

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No. Try again

Pockets > Mikeado 01/10/2014 at 19:07

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Exactly. I've been reading articles saying this since I was little, only the articles now treat the cars the articles used to be complaining about as the good old days.

The early '90s SEAT Toledo has always looked like a shabby knock-off of the Alfa 155 & Lancia Dedra to me. Like you say, though, it's just the style that was the in thing then.

Also, the FSO Polonez looks like the Lancia Delta. I guess that's explained by both being Giugiaro designs.

CounterTorqueSteer > EL_ULY 01/10/2014 at 19:19

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? I've worked with Audi for a year now and have not once driven a front track A6.

Sky Captain Obvious > Textured Soy Protein 01/10/2014 at 19:26

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Dafuq? That new 200 make the A7 look bland. And it's not "look at how hard I'm trying not to look bland by throwing together way to many ideas that don't work" a'la Lexus lately. Wasn't expecting to think the replacement to the shittiest car I have ever driven would tickle my eyeballs more than on of the most elagent cars I've seen in person. The Chrysler also has the most massaged of all the photos, so that helps, but F an Aye if sculpting on the 200's side isn't doing it for me big time. To the point I think it's got one of the best looking flanks in the biz right now. (Reserving final judgement for a few weeks from now once I've had more time to soak up the shape.)

Sky Captain Obvious > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 01/10/2014 at 19:33

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Yes, everything seems to be styled after the Accord Coupe these days. I mean even these 2014 Russet Potatoes carry so much design influence from the honda it's obvious the the most derivitive coupe on the planet is where farmer John Q Idaho got his design influence.

fabarati > CounterTorqueSteer 01/10/2014 at 19:34

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They exist in Europe, with the smaller engined petrol & diesel models.

Sky Captain Obvious > The Opponaut formerly known as MattP123 01/10/2014 at 19:35

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As much as I'm sick of every car that has 2 doors and four wheels compared to the Accord coupe, I agree, there was a strong similarity in C class and and Honda tail light designs for a while.

CounterTorqueSteer > fabarati 01/10/2014 at 19:36

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Well, we have the 2.0t, 3.0t and TDI models in the states. I've just never heard of a FWD model.

fabarati > CounterTorqueSteer 01/10/2014 at 21:01

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Well, they're the cheapest ones. They're the only ones available with a manual gearbox (and a CVT, but I like to pretend they don't exist).

oldirtybootz > RaymondStantz 01/10/2014 at 21:03

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I'll probably need the flame suit anyway haha. It's ok though, I mistake Elantras for Darts from the front all the time. All cars share some design elements with others, there's only so many ways to design a box on wheels.

fabarati > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 01/10/2014 at 21:05

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My pet peeve

CounterTorqueSteer > fabarati 01/10/2014 at 21:17

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Color me jealous

fabarati > CounterTorqueSteer 01/10/2014 at 21:32

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Haha, I thought that might be the reaction.

EL_ULY > CounterTorqueSteer 01/10/2014 at 21:37

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Lol yup, I saw like 4 fwd A6 recently, all 2012 or newer. Someone here on OPPO told me that even the A8 was offered in fwd in Europe. Yes sir, fwd 4 cyl A8. Have not confirmed that but more than one Opponaut has told me

evilfacelessturtle (Hooning a Ford is Domestic Abuse) > Sky Captain Obvious 01/11/2014 at 01:59

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Agreed. I don't understand all the indifference to such a clean, classy design. Everyone else is going overwrought except Audi who is classy and clean but utterly boring. The Impala is 2nd best in that list. The Fusion is the poster child of too many different ideas with no cohesion.

evilfacelessturtle (Hooning a Ford is Domestic Abuse) > With-a-G is back to not having anything written after his username 01/11/2014 at 02:03

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The Barracuda is infinitely better looking than the Evora. The Evora isn't even the best looking Lotus, just better than the Elise, which isn't saying much.

Sky Captain Obvious > evilfacelessturtle (Hooning a Ford is Domestic Abuse) 01/11/2014 at 03:23

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I think that's the A7's worst angle too. Every time I see one approaching and get a front on view, I get all

That's a good looking car.

Forgetnomore > EL_ULY 01/12/2014 at 17:18

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You could only get the first gen Audi A8 with fwd. No 4 cylinder ever offered for the A8 unless you count the hybrid. 4 cylinder fwd A6 is pretty common.