Last week, we showed you four different vehicles, each with strikingly similar taillamps. So began the Taillamp Identification Challenge. (Un)fortunately, Flybrian was around, and came up with the correct answers just 10 minutes after the post went live.
So, the challenge was short lived, and all props go to Flybrian’s keen taillamp eye. It’s almost like he knows cars, or is a car dealer perhaps. Time for the official results.
1. Lincoln MKS
The first-generation MKS, which replaced the Town Car as Lincoln’s full-size sedan, showed up in 2009 with this familiar taillamp design.
A facelift for 2013 changed the rear lenses, making them sweeping and decidedly less upright.
2. Kia Rio 5
The Kia Rio5 (that means hatchback) is our second challenge lamp.
Between 2005 (2006 for North America) and 2009 the Rio5 sported this un-unique look, while a facelift in 2010 smoked the rear lenses and revised some of the detailing. The shape of the lens remained the same in what would be this generation’s final year.
3. Maserati Quattroporte
New for 2004, the Maserati Quattroporte sported modern, aerodynamic styling not found on Quattroporte models of yore.
Could this vehicle be the genesis of the suddenly popular lamp style? You be the judge. One more vehicle awaits.
4. Kia Amanti
The Kia Amanti was also available in 2004.
The Amanti was the top sedan offering from Kia, a premium model that soldiered on through 2009 in North America. Kia had no replacement for the Amanti on our shores until 2014, with the debut of the Cadenza.
There you have it. Four different cars from three different countries of origin, sharing a design element like it’s a bowl of chips.
[Images: Ford Motor Company, Kia Motors, Maserati]
could have probably included the Hyundai XG350 too…
I think that one in initial format was a bit too round. With the facelift the lens got more angular, but the amber moved down to be horizontal.
Last week was pretty much a replay of the WKRP in Cincinnati episode “The Contest Nobody Could Win”–(if anyone remembers that show).
Hey, that’s where I live… right now!
Say hi to Herb Tarlick for us.
Today I saw a Hyundai cuv with amber turn signals on the bottom of the tail lights – it was oddly disconcerting.
I’ve seen that setup on some Kia Sportages and the Land Rover Freelander. Yes, I actually saw a running Freelander last month.
Note: the Amanti’s taillights were actually horizontal (and reminded me of a Fox-Body Cougar) until about 2007.
Having driven a pre-refresh Amanti (aka Opirus in Korea), I don’t hate it. Its comfortable, roomy and quiet.
Its wallowy and downright slow if it’s (attempting to be) driven hard, but that obviously wasn’t what it was built for. It was built to be a Korean Town Car, and a Town Car isn’t meant to be mistaken for a Mustang Shelby. Ever.
I liked that all four windows were auto up and down. I dislike that *every* one I looked at, or came across on the internet, had peeling armrest trim on every door panel. It was best if it was black interior, then you could hardly tell, but with the light interior, it looked awful.
The only thing I like about the refresh is the rear styling. The rest, meh. The center stack/console looks a lot more bland than the first one.