When Automotive Design Goes Bad

I agree... not cute... and the name is definitely not sexy... but it does match the car... dull, dull, dull.

Is this supposed to be a sports car? It's design looks like a mongoloid step child of a scaled down hybrid.

I suspect what annoys Seth Fletcher most about this new Yaris is the color, which is bland, but when I imagine this same vehicle in a neon orange or green or other fresh color, or maybe some hot "flower power" graphics, I'm sure it would be appealing. This car appears to not only have decent aerodynamics, but with its gentle curves and lack of ports and other surface interruptions, would be a welcome canvas for young artists eager to express their creativity through their vehicles.

I am really turned off by those that are so quick to declare certain car designs, hair styles or red-carpet fashions as being utter disasters. If we want to reap the benefits of those that think outside the box, especially in matters of engineering and science, we shouldn't be encouraging the likes of Steven Cojocaru, Simon Cowell, Mr.Blackwell... or Seth Fletcher, at least in matters of aesthetics. Note: Mr. Fletcher led with what he DISLIKED rather than what he LIKED about the car show... what's that about? And he didn't even till us how good the drive drive train was. THAT'S what's really important.

Although today's parallel hybrids are marginally better than the gas-powered cars they replace, they are less efficient, and far more expensive and complex than serial hybrids that use generators only to keep the batteries charged. GM has said the Chevy Volt is going to be a serial hybrid, but they should be available now. Parallel hybrids that have two complete drive trains... both electric and mechanical... have no advantages over serial drive trains in which all power to the wheels comes from one or more electric motors.

One of the advantages to serial hybrids is that, when we have enough charging stations to service EVs wherever they happen to be, hybrids will no longer be needed, and the generators that make them hybrids rather than electric vehicles can be removed easily, making them lighter and more efficient. This can give more cargo space, or provide space for more batteries to extend the range between charges.

Electric vehicles are the single best solution to global warming, emission-related health problems such as asthma, foreign-oil dependence, noise pollution and resource conservation. EVs are also more efficient than the best hybrid vehicles available today.

Those 5axis people must be a little high to think this Yaris in any way resembles the 7... That said, and keeping in mind it is a car show and not a production model, it doesn't look that bad.

Think K car. Then look at it again. Think how may units it sold.

Think VW Bug. Then look again. Think how many units IT sold...

It IS Fletcher's column to write what he thinks and he does grudgingly accept it bears another look.

You know if you think about it this car could take off. this could be a really cool car that many people will like, if they just PROMOTE it!!! I think the reason why some cars don't do so well is becuase these companies don't promote thier vehicle enough. That's my spin on it...