We stumbled upon GM's NA VP of Design Bryan Nesbitt in a small, windowless room semi-populated by a brown-nose of bloggers (infiltrated by TTAC in search of free food). Justin and I arrived just in time to hear Nesbitt explain why station wagons are cool in Europe: because everything is smaller there and they shop more often and something about old guys not hang-gliding off of Mont Blanc. Anyway, the confab broke-up and I asked Nesbitt what he thought of fake hood scoops. After a moment of PR-related facial rictus, Nesbitt said he didn't personally like them, but you gotta keep the customer satisfied. Hence the new Z28 Camaro will have a massive [functional] hood scoop. Yes, but what of the Pontiac G8 faux intake? Nesbitt said that GM's design studio is at the mercy of its customers, specifically dealers demanding extra bling. For example, Lund Cadillac Hummer Saab (Phoenix) retrofitting the 9-7x with a 3X-sized Saab badge, telling Nesbitt to get with the program (sacrilege!). Nesbitt admitted that a large part of his job is making the best of an ugly situation. "I may not like Hawaiian shirts, but I can make sure it looks as good and fits as well as it can." Let's call it aloha aesthetics.
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“(infiltrated by TTAC in search of free food).”
I certainly won’t hold that against you; that’s the only reason I’ll attend meetings.
Did Nesbitt really say, “I may not like Hawaiian shirts, but I can make sure it looks as good and fits as well as it can?”
If so, I do admire his candor. And it’s a pretty good word picture.
Let’s not forget that it was the dealers of all the various divisions that wanted (and got) badge engineered minivans and SUVs. Sometimes it’s better not to listen to them.
Hood scoops can add to the appearance and appeal of a model (if done right). They can also help differentiate the top performance version from the rest. The G8 faux intake isn’t really a scoop as much as a styling point. I kind of like it.
If you want to discuss ratty hood scoops, you should ask the Subaru stylist. Were they there to field questions?
Juniper:
And to some, they can do the opposite. Some friends of mine were in the market for a Subaru Legacy. I let the wife drive my WRX and she loved it. From the driver’s seat. But thought that the scoop make the car look, “dorky.”
So, when they bought their Legacy wagon, they went for the non-turbo because it was scoopless.
A week afterwards, she was lamenting the fact that the car was so slow (they had traded in a 540i wagon).
So, there you are.
Well I guess following the lead of their “traditional” customer base and dealer pressure has worked so well to this point…why change?
Lead, follow or…
The scoop on the G8 is functional. Not very, but it is.
Jonny
I agree with you, they definitely have to be done correctly. The Camaro pics I’ve seen seem pretty good. It’s there, but doesn’t scream at you. I guess that’s why the stylists get the big bucks. Let’s hope they earn them. IMHO Subaru should have a scoop delete option.
That’s what the aftermarket’s for. One front-mount intercooler + 1 non-turbo hood = turbo performance with a non-turbo look.
Putting a 3x-sized Saab badge on a 9-7x is the same kind marketing genius that put 3x the amount of plastic body cladding on a Chevy and called it a Pontiac.
Those kinds of badge engineering shenanigans go my a** sideways.
I wish more of the management was so honest and straight forward. Good for him!
I’m an American and I like sport wagons… GM? And small cars. And smallish camper vans. And GOOD small engines… GM? Hello?
Many folks have a lousy perspective when it comes to discerning integrity and false pride. I think its false pride that results in tasteless bling. Although bling can be inspiring and motivational, even its only a shadow of elegance and finese or whatever. No body is perfect. I like the article and its contents. As long as I now and/or learn better, the world is a better place. Thank you god.
After a moment of PR-related facial rictus,
Maybe I’m clouded by lack of sleep, but that’s an epic line.
I happen to agree with this opinion of large hood scoops.