Automotive News [sub]: “Drawings of the redesigned 2011 Hyundai Sonata reveal a dramatic style shift from conservative to sleek and fluid, drawing inspiration from the Genesis sedan.” TTAC: Yes, well, in theory. In practice, the actual, honest-to-god, in-the-flesh Hyundai Sonata will look nothing like this image, front or rear [after the jump]. Why would it? In fact, why would do carmakers release preposterous concept-stage renderings when the eventual car can’t bear more than a passing resemblance to the adolescent imagineering (think: practicality, safety regs, cost, etc.)? Sure the pretty pics make the car look sexy. But didn’t 60s and 70s public architecture already die for that sin? And, by the way, if this isn’t the most derivative design I’ve ever seen, I don’t want to see the one that is. Oh wait, Genesis. Snap!
Yeah, but designers don’t come cheap and car makers need to get their money’s worth from ’em.
“And, by the way, if this isn’t the most derivative design I’ve ever seen, I don’t want to see the one that is. Oh wait, Genesis. Snap!”
So true!!
BTW, images of the new Sonata have already leaked before its debut in South Korea:
Click for 2011 Sonata
I’ve long argued that manufacturers shoot themselves in the foot with unrepresentative drawings and concepts. Remember the let down with the production Jaguar XF? People would have liked the production XF more if they hadn’t first seen the concept.
It’s like, “Here’s what we thought about doing, but we’re doing this instead.”
On the productionn car: mash-up between a previous generation Lexus ES (the fish face one), Chrysler Sebring, and Audi A6. I hope those photos are distorting the proportions in a bad way.
Seems like a catch 22 situation, doesn’t it?
Companies in the past, such as Hudson or Studebaker, which didn’t just use formulaic “derivative” (in that day, GM) styling are regularly panned for looking unusual (in much the same way as the Acura probiscus nowadays – which I find pug-ugly, myself).
Yet companies which try to blend in are panned for being “derivative.”
I’m personally not as fond of the current styling trends which are for high beltlines (i.e. the metal parts of the doors are very high), low sloping roofs on sedans and very turret-like, small side glass.
Makes me feel like I’m sitting in a bloody bank truck deliverying money. Or sitting in a big hole on a seat, looking out over the edge.
I knew that Hyundai was moving in this design trend and was glad to snap up a 2009 car.
I suppose I’ll get used to this new style, but given that I’m just about ready to give up on hybrids it may not matter.
My next car might have been a 2011 Sonata hybrid, but my Prius MPG’s are running 42-44 right now instead of 50-52. If I can’t get proper fuels for a car to get good efficiency, I may as well go diesel.
How about bringing over your fantastic 2.2 litre turbo-diesel and plopping it into the Sonata, Hyundai?
I’m on our third Sonata, ready to give up on Prius (I’ve had two). You could make my household a two Sonata household. Despite the bank trunk greenhouse.
Hyundai won’t have to worry about roof crush standards. They have thoughtfully pre-crushed it for your convenience.