AutoFug - celebrating Ugly Cars throughout history

Lincoln Mark VILE

2012-02-20T20:59:00.000-04:00

Yes, this is a Mirage – but sadly not an actual mirage. A company by the name of Phaeton thought it was a good idea to make a coupe out of a Town Car by cutting out the rear seat section, thus creating the Mirage. Strangely, the much better looking Mark VI was avalable at Lincoln dealerships at the time.

FBS Engineering Census V6

2012-02-20T20:53:00.000-04:00

I can only guess FBS stands for “Fugly Bull S***”. Not really sure about the originals of this car, but it appears to be a British cottage industry make that never quite got off the ground, most likely because it looks like a mutated Alfa Romeo Spider. Seems to be powered by a Ford Duratec V6.

Tailor Made Ferrari: Letting Money Preside Over Taste

2012-02-20T20:49:00.000-04:00

I stumbled across Tailor Made Ferrari this morning; a personalization program from Ferrari offering exclusivity their clients by creating unique cars to their (often misguided) tastes.

There are three Tailor Made collections here, broken into Classica, Scuderia, and Inedita. However, there seems to be mainly two trends going on here – one is creating a look which recalls the past, and the other is a look that is the definition of excess.

The Classica Collection is what it sounds like – modern interpretations of classic themes and cars. While this collection seems to be the most tasteful, there are thumbnails that appear on the site that aren’t, like the wire-wheeled California below.

The Scuderia Collection is similar to the Classica Collection, in that it contains modern interpretations of classic Ferrari race cars and liveries (the seem to focus mainly on classic racing paint/vinyl schemes). The problem here is that taken out of context, most of these packages look garish.

Lastly, the Inedita Collection is the main offender. It seems to exist solely to produce exactly what the client desires, regardless of whether the outcome is retina-searingly garish. Take for example the matte blue California with blue chrome accents, whose interior is lined with denim, blue leather, and loads more blue chrome. Or the two tone yellow and carbon fibre California with gold chrome accents.

Although the products featured on this site are obviously renderings, that doesn’t mean these products don’t exist. Witness Lapo Elkann’s denim California, which seems to be the basis for the denim Ferrari above and is in fact reality. If that sounds vaguely familiar, this happened before to a 599 Fiorano.

Pininfarina Plagiarism

2012-02-20T20:38:00.001-04:00

I started a “Guess That Car” thread over at the Car & Driver Backfires forums – basically a car picture is posted and the users have to guess the make and model. Every time one of these quadruplets appears I never know which one of the Pininfarina designs I’m looking at. Sure they’re pretty, but talk about milking something for all it’s worth. At least the Alfa Romeo 1900 has a little variation up front. The Peugeot 404 convertible and Fiat 1600 convertible are near clones of each other, especially the later models with the grille mounted driving lights. They even share chrome bodyside detailling that ends midway through the doors.

Chery Faira is disgustingly cute.

2012-01-14T22:05:00.000-04:00

Behold the 3 and 5 door versions of Chery's Faira sedan. They basically look like rolling emoticons. I feel like I'm getting diabetes just looking at them, they're so sweet. The 5 door below is even more so, kinda looking like a Mazda 2 with the cuteness turned up to 11. The dimples from it's smile are even poking into the lower edges of the headlights.

Zagadon't

2012-01-14T21:52:00.000-04:00

Zagato is one of those styling firms that has a few misses in the past, but in my eyes they've had more misses than hits in recent memory. Take these two blobby and almost identical rebodies - the 2006 Ferrari 575 GTZ and the 2008 Bently Continental GTZ.

More Zombie Packards

2012-01-14T21:44:00.000-04:00

It appears that these neoclassic Packards just won't die, regardless of how hideous they are. I've found yet another Bayliff Packard, and it looks substantially different from the last Crown Vic one I posted. Also lucky enough this time around to have multiple views, including the interior which features a gigantic steering wheel emblem that I presume is the size it is to make up for the lack of other interior upgrades.

And if that wasn't bad enough, it seems the luxury coupe is susceptible to the Packard virus, as witnessed by the unfortunate Mercury Cougar below.

Defugging the RDX

2012-01-14T21:35:00.000-04:00

I haven't really stated on this blog before how fond I wasn't of the first generation Acura RDX, other than posting some of it's resemblance the the X6 M. It's leering chrome beak on later models and squinty headlights mounted high on it's front end always looked off to me, not mention the tiered inlets in the bumper of the pre-facelift model. It kind of looked like it was gasping...

2007

However Acura has finally given it a full redesign and it's been completely defugged and looking like a mini MDX (although some would argue anything with that grille is always slightly fugly). Unfortunately, Acura decided to remove the turbo 4 cylinder engine and SH-AWD with the fugliness so it's unsure if it will be as much of a hoot to drive.

2013

IAMFUGLY

2012-01-07T15:47:00.002-04:00

So apparently Will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas is starting a car company called IAMAUTO, and will produce the glorified Lego car posted below that's about as tasteful as their music. One can only hope it performs better than it looks, because if not it'll perform about as good as a K-Car firing on 3 cylinders. It's also strangely lacking humps...

Spyker C12 Zagato

2012-01-01T19:07:00.000-04:00

Spyker cars aren't exactly known for their subtlety. In fact there are probably a lot of people that would say all Spyker cars belong on this blog. However, I believe that for Spyker cars the beauty is in the details. It may be overwhelming at first, but the more you look at them the more everything tends to meld together cohesively. The same could be said for the Pagini Zonda.

However, the Zagato bodied Spyker C12 crosses the line in my opinion from fabulous to fugly. The front end isn't too bad - it's a sleeker interpretation of the Spyker themes. As you move back you meet some broad hips, but they're sleeker than similar treatments on recent Zagato bodied Maseratis and Ferraris - they looks less bloated and more muscular.

However the seemingly aquatic inspired rear end treatment is excessively overwrought and vomit inducing. It's gigantic taillights and venting/tail pipes that look like chrome gills are more fitting to a Mitsuoka Orochi than Spyker's predominantly aviation inspired cues.

The Torino Lutteral

2012-01-01T18:26:00.000-04:00

This Argentinian atrocity has an interesting past. Industries Kaiser Argentina (IKA) is an Argentina based subsidiary of the North American Kaiser Motors, formed in 1956. Initially they sold slightly modified Jeeps and Kaiser Manhatten, expanding to sell modified Renault cars post 1959 (after which they became known as IKA Renault). They sold a variety of modified Jeep and AMC products in the 1960s before being completely bought out by Renault in 1970's to become Renault Argentina. To make matters even more confusing, they were also associated with Alfa Romeo in the early 1960s, buying the body models for Alfa Romeo models and producing cars that were mirror images of those sold in Italy...

Their most famous car was the Torino, which was essentially an AMC Rambler redressed by Pininfarina. While this was a very attractive car, something went wrong after the Renault buyout. Renault Argentina decided to continue to produce the Torino due to it's popularity, becoming the only non-Renault based car in it's lineup. In doing so a facelift destroyed it's pretty lines, and all bodystyles adopted this furrowed brow look with rectangular headlights. A revised coupe called the Lutteral appeared with a strange fastback reminescent of a homemade 1964 Plymouth Barracuda - in 1973. A sad end for what were originally very pretty cars.

Bugatti Veyron EH 1.5

2012-01-01T17:59:00.000-04:00

Only missing 14.9L of engine displacement.

Pulled to the Limits of Taste

2011-12-31T19:24:00.000-04:00

The Mercedes-Benz 600 Pullman is an iconic car - one of the most expensive and lavish cars of it's time. It's a shame to see even one of the 2,677 made between 1964 and 1981 end up as the neoclassic disaster pictured below.

This particular car was made by the firm "B+B Auto Exclusive" in 1980 for King Khalid of Saudi Arabia. And if you think it couldn't get any uglier, the king originally requested a paint job consisting of a red base covered with white dots. The neoclassic design partially hid the large footboards, made so that security guards could hang off the side of the car.

Mild de-fugging: 2013 Lincoln MKT

2011-12-31T16:54:00.001-04:00

I previously posted my hatred of the Lincoln MKT on this site. Thought I would update my opinion on the matter now that Ford has facelifted it's high-riding minivan for 2013.

Although it's an improvement, it's pretty evident that nothing short of a complete reskin will save this bloated vehicle from looking like a whale. To make matters worse, the revised grille looks even more like baleen than it did before...

In short: it looks better, but the end result is akin to Rosie O'Donnell getting a nose job. A couple tweaks won't save the rest of the disaster.

SLdorado

2011-12-30T22:57:00.000-04:00

Again, not sure why exactly. 500SL + 1960 Cadillac = Wrong.

Merry Christmas

2011-12-30T22:53:00.000-04:00

Yeah, I'm a bit late. Merry Christmas from AutoFug.

Bondo Slipper

2011-12-30T22:45:00.000-04:00

Is this Redneck Cinderella's ride to the ball or her bondo slipper? Damn - Snow White Trash is a better pun but it doesn't fit the storyline...

Angry Golf is Angry

2011-12-30T22:37:00.000-04:00

This Golf looks like a caricature of itself. In fact, it kind of looks like the angry face emoticon. Also, this is the reason people don't use Chrysler Sebrings as parts cars for boy racer customization...

Baby Beluga

2011-12-30T22:33:00.000-04:00

These pictures make me sad... What appears to be either a bloated Fiat 500 or a beached beluga whale is actually a heavily modified Tatra T603 coupe. While Tatras aren't for everyone, I'm sure few would actually consider this an improvement.

For those unfamiliar with Tatra, they're a Russian car brand that was famous for their rear engined cars and being pioneers in aerodynamics, even possibly influencing early Porsche designs.

Longhorn?

2011-12-30T22:22:00.000-04:00

Any help identifying this would be greatly appreciated. I stumbled across these pics looking for something else and they had no captioning. The pics were titled "Longhorn" and the plates are from Texas. Not sure what it's made of other - it looks like the stretched offspring of an Auburn and farm equipment.

Fleetwoodsman

2011-12-30T22:19:00.000-04:00

Not really sure what's going on here. I think this is a late 50's GM truck with it's roof chopped off and a Cadillac welded to the bottom. Whatever it is it has some severe muffintop going on.

The Troll

2011-12-30T22:09:00.000-04:00

Hard to come up with a clever title for this one, as the car was actually named the Troll.

Although it seems few people have ever heard of the Troll, this little 2+2 fiberglass "sports coupe" was actually one of the first attempts to start a car company in Norway. Chevrolet had just introduced the Corvette in North America, and no one in Europe had yet used cost effective fiberglass for car bodies. Unfortunately the end result was this little flat-nosed Saab-looking car with Mercedes 300SL flourishes that was about as attractive as it's namesake. Powered by a 700cc 30hp Gutbrod engine, only 5 were made between 1956 and 1958.

Although ambitious, it proved to amount to little more than a precursor to the AMC Gremlin - an ugly little car with an ugly name.

Who need Carbon Fibre when you can use Carbonite

2011-11-27T00:22:00.001-04:00

Someone call Luke Skywalker - Han Solo is trapped under the hood of this car.

K-Car Envy

2011-11-26T20:33:00.002-04:00

This one is interesting… These early Daewoo cars were essentially GM of Europe products. The Imperial was basically an upscale Daewoo Royale, which itself is little more than an Opel Rekord with the front end of the larger Opel Senator stuck on. However the Imperial is featured here as the designers oddly decided to style the upscale version of the European GM product as if it were an American Chrysler. A K-Car at that… Even the name is shared with the last K-Car based Imperial of the early 90s. Strange fact – the Daewood Imperial production began in 1989 (and ran through 1993), while the K-Car Chrysler Imperial was built between 1990 to 1993. However, the very similar looking New Yorker / Fifth Avenue were produced throughout the 80s.

Why was Daewoo selling GMs in the first place? A little back story… It all starts in 1976, when GM partnered with Shinjin Industrial Company to sell GM cars in South Korea, under the name Saehan Motor Company. However shortly afterward the fell into financial problems, with Daewoo group taking a large stake in the company in a 1978. Saehan Motor Company was renamed Daewoo Motor Company in 1983. So I guess GM buying Daewoo 20 years later was just a matter of things coming full circle.

Devolved Inspiration: Daewoo took the K-Car route with it's upscale product - sharp creases and loads of chrome and vinyl.

Spawn of Spohn

2011-11-26T20:20:00.004-04:00

Carosseriebau Hermann Spohn was a German coachbuilder, founded in 1920. Due to it’s formation coinciding with the launch Maybach brand, and it’s close proximity to it’s manufacturing plant, Spohn soon became Maybach's favored coachbuilder. In it’s early days, these cars were indeed beautiful, sporting low rooflines with typically flowing fenders of the periods most attractive cars.

Above: 1952 Spohn Palos, based on a 1940 Ford. This picture was taken during restoration, but returning it to it's original glory won't fix it's awkward lines. Below: A Lincoln rebodied by Spohn.

But as the 50’s drew near, Spohn began to favour aerodynamics and excessive ornamentation, resulting in some very strange looking cars. Trademarks include heavyhanded styling: thick front fenders with low set headlights on either side of a low and steepy sloped front end (usually featuring a garish almost horizontal grille), and gigantic but heavy looking fins out back (usually trailing way behind the rear wheels on an lengthened rear end). Although these were early attempts at aerodynamic aids, they definitely didn’t look sleek. One of the worst offenders was the BMW powered Veritas roadster – an attractive car without the Spohn costume. Another you may recall from this blog previously are some of the gaudy and unfortunately named Gaylord cars. Spohn closed down in 1957.

The Spohn BMW Veritas roadster. Also in a state of restoration, but also also extremely fugly regardless of whether it was in pristine condition.

This period photo of the Spohn BMW Veritas roadster when new really shows it's awkward front grille.

The Chevy Chevy

2011-11-22T23:14:00.000-04:00

Yes, you're reading that right (again). I was recently introduced to these on a recent trip to Mexico. Not sure of the reasoning behind the repetitive name of the Chevrolet Chevy (possibly a half-assed attempt to assure public that this car is actually a Chevrolet), but it's basically continual rehashes of outdated Opel products, not unlike the Soviets tended to do to Fiats.

Immensely popular down there, the Chevy Chevy began life in 1994 as a simple rebadge of the Opel Corsa B, which debuted in 1993. However, where the Corsa evolved into the Corsa C in 2000, the Chevy Chevy soldiered on unchanged. That is, until 2004, when it received a slightly updated face. This look lasted for 4 years, and was more heavily revised in 2008 to the horrible looking car you see here. Similar to what Chevrolet attempted with the Aveo (but less successfully, if that's even possible), they managed to graft on the now corporate "gigantic Chevrolet split grille".

Things will change soon, however. 2012 is the last model year for the Chevy Chevy, as it's slated to be replaced by the Spark. The gigantic split grille will soldier on, albeit in a more attractive body.

2012 Chevrolet Cobalt

2011-11-22T22:57:00.000-04:00

Yes, you are reading that right. Chevrolet has decided to further drag the Cobalt name through the dirt and attach it to an ugly little car destined for South America that looks a lot like an Aveo with a Malibu nose uncomfortably shrink wrapped to the front. Luckily, we'll never see it.

1979 Kanzler

2011-11-22T22:41:00.000-04:00

I can’t find much info on this car, other than the fact that it’s an Opel GT stretched to the limits of sanity. It’s powered by a 351 Ford V8 (not sure if it could even sustain forward motion with the original powerplant as it now weighs over 4400 pounds), and somewhat ironically Liberace owned one of this vaguely phallic looking cars. The grille breaks ground in the neoclassic world, in that it appears it could have been had without one.

Leata Cabalero

2011-11-22T22:32:00.000-04:00

Leata started off innocently enough, producing microcars in the 1975 with an innocent 1940’s era look to them, much less offensive to look at then the sudden influx of microcars that appeared 20-25 years prior. Sadly things went awry, and a total of 22 cars were produced in what ended up being it’s only model year. The main issue was mostly likely price – this hand built car was tiny and pricy. At $3,295, it cost $500 more than a Pinto, a car that dwarfed it and to most offered a lot more for less money.

Then things got strange. Not willing to give up, the founder restarted production with the car above. It was still small, but instead of being hand built and inoffensive, it became an offensive rebody of a car that isn’t necessarily a shining beacon of quality – the Chevrolet Chevette.

Taking the standard styling cues of neoclassic cars that were all the rage in the 1970s (Rolls inspired grille and front end treatment, fenders flares, vinyl roofs), it had the appearance of a squashed Monte Carlo or Grand Prix. It could even be had with the world’s most awkward looking opera windows. Also available was a slightly better looking pickup, also based on the Chevette (basically looking like the Cabalero coupe with a C/K tail grafted on). Even with this cheaper construction method, the company still lost money on every car it sold.

Fisker Karma

2011-10-22T23:52:00.001-03:00

I don't have anything against the Fisker Karma. Ignoring the fact that it gets mediocre mileage for an "electric" car, and that it weighs almost as much as an Escalade. It's a beautiful sedan. However, it felt a bit familiar when I first saw it. Only when leafing through an old magazine did I realize why - it shares some lines with the 1991 Chrysler 300 Concept car, that was effectively a Chrysler branded 4 door Dodge Viper.

You'll note in the above paragraph I stated that it's a beautiful sedan. There's a reason I clarified. The Fisker Karma Surf concept that was unveiled at the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show wasn't exactly a home run. The sleek lines of the sedan don't exactly translate to wagon form all that well. The tapered cabin ends in a very narrow backlight that ends up looking squished, as do the windows aft of the rear doors. This is all capped off with the world's most unnecessarily over-styled hatchback. I cleaned it up a bit in Photoshop below - it's surprising how much better it looks.

Civic Fugliness Crosses the Ocean

2011-10-22T23:35:00.000-03:00

I was a huge fan of the last generation European Civic. It was odd, but in a funky spaceship kind of way. Like it was sent from the future. The 2012 European Honda Civic takes a page from the 2012 North American Honda Civic, in that it's an evolution of the last generation more than a complete reboot. Although in my eyes, it's a bit of a de-evolution.

Where the previous generation was a sleek little space pod, the new one looks like it melted a bit on re-entry. The chiseled lines are now smoother and more organic, but unfortunately now it looks more like a crouching frog than something from outer space. The taillights have also move vertically, which makes it look a bit tall and narrow when viewed from the rear. It's almost as if Honda took the worst part of the CRZ and the Hyundai Veloster and called it a day...

Das Blotto

2011-08-28T23:04:00.000-03:00

What is it with people thinking their VWs look even remotely like BMWs? PS: Nice hubcaps.

How not to modify your new Camaro...

2011-08-28T23:00:00.000-03:00

Thought I would combine these two Camaro atrocities in one post. Above is what happens when you take a car that's already retro too far into the past. It ends up kind of looking like Burt Reynolds - the face looks kinda the same as it did 45 years ago, but every looks a sleek and just plain not right.

Below is evidence that the "Donk" look is alive and well, now brutalizing new cars and not just 25 year old Chevrolet Impalas and Buick Regals. It still baffles me how people think this looks good. Most likely cramming as many inches as they can into the wheel wells to make up for the inches that are lacking in certain parts of the anatomy.

Tiburong

2011-08-28T22:51:00.000-03:00

An eye-searingly fluorescent Hyundai Tiburon that thinks it's a Ford Escort rally car.

Not Holden Back

2011-08-28T22:48:00.000-03:00

My only guess is that this poor Holden Ute is possibly a prop from a modern-era Mad Max film. Guessing by the rims and the abundant chrome, it was possibly driven by a pimp.

Hot Rod Tracker

2011-08-28T22:45:00.000-03:00

What do you get when you combine a Geo Tracker with a hot rod? Something you shouldn't have combined.

Aston Martin V12 Zagato

2011-08-28T22:42:00.000-03:00

I don't think the Aston Martin V12 Zagato is fugly, or even ugly. But it does look a bit chubby for an Aston - less sleek and more bulbous. I suppose it's kind of attractive the way a plus size model is, when compared to non-plus size models.

But the most unsettling thing about the design is how similar it looks to a Nissan GTR in the side view. Sure, the rearmost angle of the side windows goes the opposite direction, but the air intake and blacked out "helmet visor" appearance of the A-pillar bear more than a passing resemblance.

Unbalanced

2011-07-25T23:06:00.000-03:00

How exactly does one balance these wheels? The only wheels that should look like this belong inside a Citroën.

Supra Fugly

2011-07-25T22:59:00.001-03:00

I apologize for the horrible quality, but this was snagged from the road. Basically a late '80's Toyota Supra, modified to include a body kit with a gigantic Toyota emblem grille and - confusingly - Nissan 350Z headlights. I had to do a double take just to understand what I was looking it. You would think that with the number of people that graft Toyota Celica headlights onto their abominations, that that would be the go-to headlight for ruining a Toyota. Especially if you're faithful enough to the brand to turn the entire front end of the car into a giant Toyota logo.

Neolier

2011-07-25T22:52:00.000-03:00

At first this looks like your typical sadly modified Neon - until you see that the back end of a Cavalier seems to have been grafted in. Perhaps doubly ironic, the license plate says "The Import Specialist".

Honda Pilot Gets Grilling

2011-07-25T22:45:00.002-03:00

Honda has released a picture of the upcoming 2012 Honda Pilot refreshing, but unfortunately it's very mild on the styling front. Gone is the BBQ burner grille insert, but that's about it - it still has the same wide-eyed stare, as if it were in shock. In my humble opinion, it really needs a complete redo forward of the A pillars. Technical details of the update haven't been released yet, but it's been said that it'll be more fuel efficient - most likely aided by more cogs in it's transmission.

The Beast

2011-07-23T22:46:00.001-03:00

Back when I was young, I remember reading a book at a friend's house that belonged to his father. It contained one of the strangest looking cars I'd ever seen, so much so that it stuck with me for the last 20+ years. I recently came across this car again, and it brought back a flood of fugly memories.

That car is "The Beast", a creation by John Dodd. Looking like the combination of the Family Truckster, a Rolls-Royce Carmargue and possibly some sort of Shooting Brake version of a late '70s Camaro, this 19 foot monster hid a very large secret - a 27 Litre Rolls-Royce Merlin airplane engine.

It originally sported a Rolls-Royce grille (pictured above in a 3D represenation), but now sports the stylized "JD" seen below after legal threats from Rolls-Royce.

Regardless of how it looks however, the fact that it even exists and works is impressive. Follow these links for first hand accounts of driving the monster:

http://www.evo.co.uk/features/features/228789/the_beast.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OxMxFE37Sxw

*EDIT* - here's a bonus pic of the original body, which was destroyed in a fire. Carries a similar Rolls-Royce air, but in a body that looks like a stretched Capri.

Fuggerham

2011-07-23T22:26:00.000-03:00

What do you get when you combine a Caterham and a mudskipper? The IFR Aspid.

Gross Pointe Blanc

2011-07-23T21:50:00.000-03:00

Your regular, run-of-the-mill Bugatti Veyron is one of those designs that you either love or hate. The newly released Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport L'Or Blanc (it takes longer to say it's name than it takes for it to go from 0-60mph) definately sways that opinion to the latter.

Starting with your "base" model Grand Sport, the L'Or Blanc edition, Bugatti worked German porcelain maker Königliche Porzellan-Manufaktur Berlin to adorn the Veyron with porcelain both inside and outside. The whole things is wrapped in an elaborate hand painted (but extremely ugly) blue on white colour scheme, reminiscent of porcelain artwork.

All for an eye-watering $2,400,000.

2012 Opel Combo

2011-07-15T21:21:00.000-03:00

Opel recently released pics of it's new Cargo / people van, and it's surprisingly hideous. While Opel has produced some very attractive cars lately, this mix of Fiat Doblo, Opel Corso and Kia Soul is not. Also, it looks way to happy for looking how it does.

The Titan

2011-06-10T23:31:00.004-03:00

Thanks to the Nissan Titan, I can't find much info on this neoclassic "beaut". Looks like it might be made out of a FoMoCo product - possibly a mid to late 70's Lincoln Mark or a Thunderbird.

*EDIT - it's made out of a Ford Thunderbird, and was designed by George Barris.

Fauxdi S4

2011-06-10T23:22:00.003-03:00

Can't afford a new S4? Just spend bundles of money making an old Holden Commodore look like one. So what if the greenhouse doesn't look the same at all...

Delusions of Grandeur

2011-06-10T21:31:00.003-03:00

The last generation Toyota Tercel did share a lot in common with period Bimmers. This innovative person decided to take that a step further...

Audi A3: Flaming Tremors Worm Edition

2011-06-10T21:09:00.002-03:00

Wow - this has it all. Ugly chrome dubs, pearlescent paint, and an airbrushed flaming checkered flag. Unfortunately the front end resembles one of the worms from Tremors choking on an intercooler.

Crown Schtick

2011-06-10T07:22:00.004-03:00

I've brought you these awkward contraptions before, but I've just discovered this newer version made in 1992, as well as the name of the company who makes them - Bayliff Packard. A coachbuilding company formed by Budd Baylifee, he started making mock Packards in the 70's in the vein of the Stutz revival.

Where in the 70's and 80's he relied on Cadillacs and Buick Rivieras, it seems he now makes do with Crown Victorias, likely because they're the remaining full size RWD car for sale in North America, not including the Lincoln Town Car, in recent years.

Ford Failane

2011-06-10T07:19:00.003-03:00

How to destroy a Ford classic: graft on the nose of one of the most unloved Fords of the last 20 years.

Mini Coupe Recoup

2011-06-08T22:30:00.003-03:00

I thought I had posted this before, but I guess not. I wasn't overwhelmingly impressed by the Mini Cooper Coupe. For one I thought it should have been named the Mini Couper. But overall I thought the roof was overstylized and that otherwise stock looking rear end looked to abrupt and boxy. Below is my interpretation of a better looking version. My goal was to unclutter the roofline and change the tailights to something more unique and less tall to help visually reduce the height of the rear end. Plus I added a bit of extra scalloping between the taillights. Yeah - the taillights look a bit upset, and it has less visibility out the side windows, but you get the idea.

Dartz Prombron Nagel

2011-06-08T22:10:00.002-03:00

Dartz continues it’s assault on good taste with the Prombron Nagel, a Prombron built specifically for pulling boat trailers. We can only hope it doesn’t get out of the CAD stages. Looking like the ungodly combination of Lego car and Cadillac’s “Art & Science” design theme, this behemoth is supposed to put out a rediculous 2000hp (if that’s even physically possible is unsure).

Retro Cloning: FNM Onca

2011-06-08T22:08:00.003-03:00

FNM was a Brazilian car manufacturer that built variations of Alfa Romeo products. The Onca was coupe designed inhouse and powered by an Alfa Romeo 4 cylinder, and look remarkably like a period Mustang notchback with an Alfa nose grafted one. Pretty, but not very original.

Fail, Britannia!

2011-06-08T21:52:00.003-03:00

Something happened in Britian in the late 60s and early 70s. In one fell swoop it’s entire automotive industry collapsed into a steaming pile of rust. BMC ran itself into the ground, and smaller firms seemed to suddenly loose the ability to design an attractive http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifautomobiles. Two strikingly similar cars are shown here – the Marcos Mantis and the Clan Crusader.

1968 Marco Mantis

The Mantis came first in 1968 as Marcos’ first 2+2. Remarkable, the styling was not well received and only 32 were sold. It almost looked as if a group of designers designs a piece of the car individually, and then glued them all together. The Clan Crusader followed in 1971, sounding like a white supremacist superhero. It looks eerily similar with it’s high mounted rectangular headlights and different but equally odd window treatment.

1971 Clan Crusader

BBQed Pony

2011-06-08T21:50:00.001-03:00

These airbrushed flames are so convincing they actually melted the front end.

So many fugs, so little time.

2011-06-08T21:47:00.003-03:00

My folder labeled "fugly", in which I put my fugly car pics, contains 757 files yet to be posted. I have a feeling I won't be able to post all of the automotive ridiculousness I've found, but I'll do my best...

Dartz Prombron Iron Diamond

2011-06-08T21:36:00.002-03:00

Perhaps a better name would be the Dartz Canyonero F-Series. What you see here is an attempt to make a monstrous SUV for women, from the same company that wanted to line it’s standard Prombron in whale foreskin.

Changes to the truck involve a shorter wheelbase for ease of parking (the press release contains a back-handed comment on women’s proficiency on the matter), and no front passenger door to “prevent the theft of handbags”. You would think auto-locking doors would suffice…

Visually, the exterior changes seem limited to some large swaths of chrome very tacky yet lady-like scripty font spelling out “Iron Diamond”. However, inside you get to choose from 10 different themes, including “snake, crocodile, whale, skat, xameleon and elefant skins or standart carbon's and matt's” (sic). Although I think most ladies would be into skat as much as they would be into the Iron Diamond. Also not sure what an “xameleon” is, but I’m sure it’s an endangered animal.

Here’s the entire press release:

“DARTZ PROMBRON'' IRON.DIAMOND or L4P LADIES.ONLY World First SUV - Safety Uberluxury Vehicle created for ladies by ladies. All we see the modern trends - more and more ladies like to drive big cars, and if so - of course they want to drive unique and exclusive. It's very hard to meet two ladies in same dresses on party - but quite easy to meet ten ladies come on this party on similar black SUV's. DARTZ solve this problem. And - as always this decision is bulletproof. And not only because DARTZ cars stop the bullet - but because this idea is as always unbeatable. The first car is ordered by one of famous kazakh oil kings daughters - and here is here what she got. The base of new car from DIAMOND line is shorter than any other models - as all ladies are professionals in parking :-) Same reasons is why TELEFUNKEN created for DARTZ world first 8 cameras system - now they can park not only "on sound" but also us monitors. This car is 3-doors only - as mainly ladies drive in big SUV's with their handbags - which some hijackers like to stole. It;s impossible with DARTZ - there are no left passenger door :-). And the main and most important - this car have 10 dresses. Snake, crocodile, whale, skat, xameleon and elefant skins or standart carbon's and matt's can be installed on this car in maximum 7 days. And YES, there are first ladies who choosed world first LADIES.ONLY SUV - why waste money on standart car and after that to spoil(er) it - if easier to buy car from BOUTIQUE CAR makers with more than hundred years history? Ladies who visited Top marques Monaco choosed car from boutique. Of course with dress for next year parties! Stay tuned - new trends are coming from DARTZ as Vodka and Girls fuel our brains!!!”

It's a Schlong Story...

2011-06-08T21:30:00.000-03:00

Dartz is a Russian maker of Armored car and massive, massively ugly SUVs. When launching it’s latest product in 2010, the Prombron, they actually stated they were going to use whale foreskin as an optional covering for the interior in their quest to line the interior in the most expensive materials available. While I’m not sure this statement was released for shock value alone, they later retracted their statement after blowback from Greenpeace and the World Wildlife Fund. And such influential people as Pamela Anderson. Next in the pipeworks – a Prombron that runs on 1945 Chateau Mouton-Rothschild Jeroboam.

ETV: Extra Terrestrial Vehicle

2011-06-08T20:54:00.002-03:00

A friend in Dubai spotted this recently, thinking it was possibly a solar car. I'd seen a pic of something similar recently, sure it was some kind super low volume of electric car.

Sadly, we were both wrong. I did find it, and it's pictured below. It's called the ETV, for Extra Terrestrial Vehicle. And what kind of alternate drive-train does this futuristic car have? Scroll down to find out...

It's just an Aveo.

Scoopy Don't

2011-06-07T21:50:00.003-03:00

This beaut is down the road from my work. I pass it every day, but was finally able to grab a pic. I believe this is the mother of all hood scoops. It's possible that if you go above 120km/h the hood flies off. Also not very visible is the front bumper, but it fits horribly. Not sure what car it's off of, but it looks like an SVT Ford. Probably a Crown Vic LX Sport, but the grille indent seems too small.

Aftermarket Juke

2011-06-07T07:04:00.003-03:00

Japanese Nissan tuner Impul had tried it's hand at the Juke, and in the process actually made it look worse... A silver ground effects kit clashes with the black along the lower body of the Juke, negating the effect it had of visually reducing the height of the body. Up front to spoiler only exaggerates the odd stock 3 hole air intakes, which look as if they were made for launching torpedoes. The look is topped off with a gigantic rally-type spoiler that a WRX would envy, and - of all things - window visors (which need their own dedicated autofug posting).

Miata gets DAMD

2011-06-06T17:51:00.003-03:00

God - it's like a disease. Apparently this Aston Martin look is referred to as "Black X Metal" by DAMD, and it's about as infectious as Rebecca Black, in an equally bad way. It's the black plaque...

A Scent of Accent

2011-06-06T17:41:00.002-03:00

Is it just me, or does the 2011 Scion TC look a little too much like an older Hyundai Accent?

'49 Ford Fairlady DAMnation

2011-06-06T17:34:00.003-03:00

Found this research DAMD, but unfortunately I can't find any more pics. Looks like a 300ZX/Fairlady morphing into a '49 Ford, and I think it's safe to say this actually looks WORSE than previous attempts.

To Infiniti and Beyond...

2011-06-06T17:23:00.005-03:00

Yeah - I may have used that tag line before. But these guys aren't above recycling, so why can't I be? The ironically named Japanese maker of bodykits knowns of DAMD, make the kits you see here. Turn your Infini G35 / Nissan Skyline / Nissan 350Z / Nissan Fairlady into a convincing Aston Martin ripoff from the headlights forward! Possibly a link to James Bond in here, as he's also molested many fair ladies.

Brooke Swan Car

2011-06-06T17:03:00.004-03:00

Almost too absurd to be real, but it indeed was. It was conceived by the wealthy British engineer Robert Nicholl "Scotty" Matthewson in 1909, most likely because he was living in Swan Park, Calcutta. Matthewson travelled to England and commissioned the Brooke company of Lowestoft, Suffolk to make the car, with wooden body built by Savage of Kings Lynn, maker of fairground rides. The swan's head and body are carved with intricate feather detailing, and cover the radiator and hood.

Not only did it look bizarre, it also some unique (and frightening) mechanical details. Amber eyes glowed eerily in the night. Hot water sprayed from the swan's beak, scalding passersby so the car could navigate the crowded streets of India. The car even an exhaust driven organ so Mr. Matthewson could play chords an d bugle cars, and annoy the general public. Perhaps the most bizarre though was a dump valve the dropped splats of whitewash on the road. Yes - a car that s***s. Just to make it more lifelike. Just like a swan. That spits scalding water. And whose eyes glow in the dark. Not sure what kind of swans they have in India...

Abhorred Cord

2011-06-06T16:56:00.004-03:00

An 84 Oldsmobile Toronado made into a Cord knockoff. The Cord Model 810 was one of the most beautiful and advanced cars of it's time. This is not. Although I suppose they both share front wheel drive architecture. This one seems to be more ill-conceived than most neoclassic cars, which is really saying something...

1959 Scimitar All-Purpose Sedan

2011-06-06T16:48:00.003-03:00

Who would have thought a car with such a dull name would look so, um, not dull. Built on a 1959 Chrysler New Yorker 8-cylinder chassis, it's the nightmare equivalent of an Edsel. Apparently it was a concept, built mainly to showcase the use of aluminum components. The grille and most body panels were aluminum – the silver areas of the body were anodized brushed aluminum.

1955 Flajole Forerunner

2011-06-06T16:32:00.002-03:00

The 1955 Flajole Foreunner was formed from remarkably unfugly origins. Starting with a svelte Jaguar XK120, Bill Flajole – designer of the Nash Metropolitan – designed and fitted this overwrought and cartoonish body. One of it's more dramatic features was a plexiglass roof that slid into the windowless bubble of a rear end. It's also worth noting that it's white fender "coves" appeared a full year before they did on the 1956 Corvette.

Through Space and Time...

2011-06-06T16:14:00.004-03:00

Recently posting the Mohs SafariKar in a "Guess That Car" thread on Car & Driver Backfires, someone pointed out it's similarity (with the door open) to the Mini Rocketman concept - two cars featured on this site. And - amazingly - they do look remarkably similar exposing themselves. Proving that bad idea also withstand the test of time.

Daihatsu Ugli

2011-06-06T15:49:00.005-03:00

The Daihatsu Opti Classic is one numerous neoclassic Japanese small cars produced by the manufacturers themselves. Not content to allow customers to go to companies like Mitsuoka for their taste in the bizarre. The Mazda 3 has nothing on these tooth grins. The first generation Opti Classic is pictured above, the second below.

Vignale Silver Wreck

2011-06-06T15:33:00.002-03:00

This 1954 Vignale Bodied Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith is further proof that coachbuilt cars don't necessarily look better than the cars they're based off of. This car looks like someone accidentally dropped a Rolls-Royce onto a '57 Chevy.

2012 Chevrolet Impala

2011-06-06T15:16:00.003-03:00

Behold the 2012 Chevrolet Impala facelift, meant to revitalize the car until it's replacement comes in the "near future". Basically, this is the facelift equivalent of shaving. Or growing stubble, if chrome mesh equates manliness.

Not fugly in the truest sense of the word, but if the automotive design world evolved at the same rate as the Impala cars would still have fenders separate from the body(no offense, Caterham). At least the car also gains some much needed improvements under the skin, including a more powerful and fuel efficient V6 3.6L engine that makes similar power to the previous V8 SS, and two extra gears in the automatic transmissions (bringing the number to a finally current 6 gears).

Drive one today at your nearest Hertz rent-a-car.

I bought a 2011 Elantra

2011-06-03T22:39:00.009-03:00

So I ended up trading in my old 2004 Elantra GT for a new 2011 Elantra GL sedan. I'll miss my old hatchback fake Saab...

In Loving Memory

I thought this would be a good time to discuss how life with the new car has been thus far, given that I already gave my initial driving impressions.

The car I picked up is a model not available in the US. In Canada there's the bottom feeder L model, lacking A/C, yet still including power windows and locks, traction control, and a CD player with auxiliary inputs. The GL I picked up (with a 6 speed manual) ads to this heated front (cloth) seats, Bluetooth connectivity, steering wheel audio controls, trip computer, larger 16" steel wheels (with hubcaps), and a telescopic steering wheel. The latter I embarrassingly didn't realize my car had until now - thought that was a GLS feature. The GL lacks the GLS model's heated rear (cloth) seats, aluminum rims, fog lights, sunroof and other small details. The Limited ads to this leather, navigation, keyless entry, a chrome grille (I actually prefer the stock grille), amongst other details.

The hubcaps do a pretty good imitation of aluminum rims. The headlights are a bit large, sweeping back overtop of the front wheels. But they're beautifully detailed and the swept back look fits in with the character of the car.

First things first, I think it's safe to say I don't find this car fugly. Given it's extreme new looks, I'm sure there are others on the opposite side of the fence. I personally dig the evil smile the car has, and the design overall is very cohesive, but I went over that before. My only beef on the outside is the aforementioned lack of fog lights, although the black plastic fog light voids don't look too bad. The 16" wheels look a bit small, but at least the hubcaps manage to look convincingly like aluminum rims.

Controls in the centre stack are intuitive and well located, especially the stacked rotary climate controls shown on the right. The audio control can be a bit of a reach, but thankfully there are controls on the steering wheel.

Inside, the interior continues to impress. It's an attractive two tone layout, with soft touch materials (at least on the top most surfaces, and the ones you interact with most) and well damped controls. The stacked rotary climate control is as beautiful as it is easy to use. It's extremely intuitive - you need nothing more than a glance to adjust it. The 6 speaker stereo also has a good sound and has all the features you would now expect, with USB and auxilary inputs. These are hidden under a cover in the centre console with a power outlet so they're easily at hand by can be hidden from sight. Speaking of power outlets, there's also one for the front passenger, in a little pocket to hold their cell phone. The steering wheel controls are a god-send as well, saving you from having to fiddle with the main controls, which I find to be a bit a of a stretch to reach. However they are highly visible and mostly intuitive, and this display is large and easy to read. All in all, the swoopy design inside and out and a smaller diameter steering wheel give a sporty coupe type of impression, even though that's not really the feedback you get actually driving it. I've read of others complaining about lack of visibility and rear blind spots, but I find it no worse than my last daily driver. It's A-pillars are a bit thick, but I'm driven many cars far worse in this regard (cough-Caliber-cough).

Room inside the car is expansive, yet I can't vouch for rear seat passengers as I haven't had any. You do have to duck a bit to get in the rear doors because of the roofline however, and I imagine taller passengers might have a bit less headroom. The trunk is pretty huge, and the pass through when you fold the seats is quite large for a sedan. However the seatbelts do cross this void as mentioned before, and the trunk hinges are large goosenecks that cut a deep swath into your trunk space when it's closed.

There's a fair amount of room in back, and passengers get door mounted cup holders as well as two in the fold down armrest. Gooseneck hinges cutting into the trunk space are visible when viewed through the trunk pass through.

There are some interior quibbles though, starting with the stereo. For a stereo that allows so many options to play digital files, there is no folder browsing buttons on the steering wheel. You can browse between songs and adjust the volume, but if you want another folder you have to reach over to the dash. I have yet to find a "shuffle" option as well. Right now I have 2 Gigs worth of albums hooked up via a USB drive - if you have things sorted in folder by album, you have no choice but to listen to them straight through. The new interior is a lot larger than my old car, and although roomy I find that my elbows don't easily fall at hand with the armrests on the console and door as they're too far away (although at the right level). Telescoping the steering wheel some might help that... There's also less storage space than I'm used to in the dash. Possibly due to making more room for the front seat occupants (as the console looks narrow) but more likely a result of form following function. Oh - and the seat fabric feels and looks a little cheap. I'm not sure that it is, but I would have preferred more of a woven look.

Now an update on driving dynamics... As I mentioned before the steering feels a bit overboosted, but not as bad as some car's I've driven lately. It's weighted pretty nicely though, but I still wish for more feedback. The 148hp 1.8L engine is standard across the lineup, and puts down pretty good power, although it prefers to hang out in the higher rpm - max hp arrives at 6500rpm, and max torque at 4700rpm. Although Hyundai boasted a pretty substantial weigh reduction compared to the previous model, this new car weighs about the same as my 2004 model. With only 10 more hp and 7 lb/feet less torque, there isn't much of a noticeable difference in performance. If anything, it feels slower due to the fact that there's less torque down low, and because of the tall gearing of the 6-speed manual.

Seats folded, but unfortunately the centre belt remains. The seats don't fold flat either, but the pass through is large for a sedan.

Speaking of the transmission, it's relatively easy to use with smooth shifter action, short throws and a well defined gate that makes it almost impossible to choose the wrong gear by mistake. But because of the taller gearing than I'm used to, I find I often shift too early (especially 1st to second) which sometimes results in little lag. Although clutch takeup is smooth, I feel it's difficult to feel where the sweet spot is. The gas pedal also conspires against you in this regard, as it's unlike the rest of the pedals in that it's floor mounted (possibly a reaction to Toyota's sticky gas pedals) and it has a little bit of a dead zone when you first step on it which can make 1st gear starts a little tricky until you're accustomed. That being said though, I just had to get used to the new driving style. Another Canadian tid-bit about the manual transmission - because there are more options packages in Canada, the manual is available with more features than the US. The manual is available in all but the Limited model, which means you can pretty much have loaded shift-for-yourself Elantra. Not with leather on anything but the steering wheel, unforunately.

The rear wheel arches look a bit bulbous from behind, but the indent on the bottom bumper does a good job of shading the lower portion of the bumper, reducing the visual height gained out back from the rakish greenhouse.

As for handling characteristics, I find them a bit hard to describe. The car is definately tuned to the softer side of life floating over minor bumps and imperfection - it feels a bit more mature than my last car. But at the same time, it seems to corner flatter than my old car (although pushing too hard results in understeer which starts to intrude a bit earlier). Although smaller road warts are taken with ease, the car seems to clomp through larger ones - some of them even upsetting the tracking of the car a bit.

Fuel economy so far has been great. Not near the posted EPA quotes, but better than some of the reviews I've read have gotten. For some reason, the car is rated more fuel efficient in Canada than in the US. Canadian models with the manual are rated at 6.8L/100km city, 4.9L/100km highway, with automatic models ranking 0.1L/100km higher. This works out to 34mpg city / 48mpg hwy. US cars are rated at 29mpg city /40mpg hwy regardless of transmission. On my first highway trip in the relatively virgin car (34kms on the odometer), I averaged 6L/100km driving 100km/h for most of the drive, with periods at 110km/h. My second trip taken a couple weeks ago I averaged 5.8L driving a steady 110km/h. Same roads, but opposite direction. I suppose this difference could be attributed to many factors, but it's possible the car will get better mileage with age. Oh - and to note, 5.8L/100km is 40.5mpg, meaning my car was getting slightly above the US average highway figure. In day to day driving however, I average 6.8-7.1L/100km (34-33mpg), depending on how much city driving I do. I've never seen it go above 7.3 though. My daily commute however contains a fair bit of highway driving mixed with 80km/h backroads and stop and go city traffic. So it's far from a good city driving estimate.

My final opinions thus-far? I'm satisfied in my purchase. It's a much more comfortable place to be than my last car, and at $18,000 CAD (before taxes and destination), it's also comfortable on my wallet. There are cheaper cars out there, but I found it difficult to find one with the same level of equipment, let alone the same level of interior finish. In the end most faults I've found tend to be relatively minor, and are overshadowed the car's better qualities.

Volkswagen Passé

2011-05-29T10:44:00.005-03:00

The new for 2012 VW Passat also follows Volkswagen’s new North American strategy of offering more for less. While the Jetta is basically them same car they get overseas (with a much worse interior), the Americanized Passat is an entirely different beast. While they get a reworked version of the current Passat, we get a completely new supersize version - presumably for our supersized, McDonald’s feed American (and Canadian) asses.

While the interior doesn’t suffer the same air of cheapness of the Jetta, the exterior does share a family resemblance. And in doing so, this is a very generic looking car. It’s not hideous, but there aren’t many positive adjectives that can be used to describe it either. From it’s vaguely Accord looking face to it’s vaguely Chevrolet Impala looking greenhouse, the look comes off as inoffensive (and a bit dated) looking clone hoping to gain sales by looking enough like the big sellers. Plus they might be trying to morph this apple strudel into looking enough like an apple pie to warm over some of the more jaded buyers that tend to only buy American.

Still though, it’s classy in a very retrained way and far from fugly. Had the 2008 Accord looked like this when it debuted instead of having it’s quasi-Bangle-butt, it would have been commended.

Volkslaggin'

2011-05-29T10:35:00.003-03:00

Volkswagen has a new strategy for North America, a strategy it hopes will generate eine Eimer of new sales. Previously known for quality German automobiles for the masses (yet at a slightly higher cost than the typical American and Japanese car), they’ve now taken a very “American” supersized McDonald value meal approach – offering more car for less money (and less substance).

At the same time, they seem to have adopted a Japanese sense of automotive styling, as their new exteriors have a Camry-like absence of style.

The first result of this was the new for 2011 Volkswagen Jetta. While not extensively larger than the last model, the Americanized version was treated to a bargain basement price with matching bargain basement interior trim. While the European version got the high-lux interior we’re accustomed to, American versions are trimmed in hard plastics not befitting of a Chevy Cobalt. Perhaps most embarrassingly, the VW Golf has a much higher level of quality inside, given that it was released prior to VW’s new strategy.

Its new exterior curves are inoffensive, but also unremarkable. It's far from fugly, but from a distance it blends into it’s surroundings as if it has active camouflage. It’s only saving grace are some interesting details when seen up close, like the beautiful Audi-like detailing of a the tail lights. Is the new look worse than the chrome plastered faux Audi (faudi?) mug of the previous generation? In my opinion it fares better, but it’s definitely not a knockout.

If there’s a silver lining to this dark cloud, it’s that the Volkwagen’s driving dynamics remain German. The cars suspenders are still able to pull off some fancy moves, but unfortunately it may take more effort to achieve them now that the 2.slow returns as the base engine in the Jetta lineup.

Ironically, this new way of thinking comes just as everyone else has kicked it up a notch. Ford and Chevy both raise the bar with fancy-pants interiors, aggressive exteriors, and higher price tags. The new Hyundai Elantra even manages to eclipse them in many ways with it’s luxurious interior duds and swoopy curves, while managing a price LOWER than last year’s model. It seems everyone else is realizing that smaller cars are the future and that people just might be willing to spend a bit more on them for something they might drive every day...

Denim Destruction

2011-05-29T10:28:00.002-03:00

Lapo Elkann is the grandson of the late Fiat chairman Gianni Agnelli. So it’s safe to say he has money, and possible connections to Ferrari. And little taste. Channeling AMC, Ferrari created this demin lined Ferrari 599 for him, with matching two-tone matte blue paint. I'm usually a fan of matte paint, but this colour makes it look as if it's made of Play Doh. And using Denim for anything other than clothes was a bad idea 40 years ago.

Omega Romeo

2011-05-29T10:24:00.001-03:00

Smart ForTwo + Alfa Romeo x (Bad Taste + Too Much Time) = This.

Bittersweet

2011-05-29T10:15:00.003-03:00

The return of Bitter cars in 2007 – a series of German sports/luxury coupes and sedans made in the 70’s and 80’s – was bittersweet. It was sweet because a brand I liked was returning, but bitter because the new car called the Vero was a warmed over Holden Caprice that was beaten with an ugly stick. Actually, reviving a brand to destroy it isn’t very sweet, come to think of it. Bittersour might be more appropriate.

Toyota MR-2 Mustake

2011-05-29T00:51:00.002-03:00

Usually when you’re provided a cheap mid-engine car and you have delusions of grandeur, you turn it into same slightly odd-looking Ferrari or Lamborghini. So I’m sure what to call the disorder that would cause you to turn your Toyota MR-2 into an imitation Mustang – a car that isn’t exactly the hardest to come by. Reverse Redneckism?

OK – these are trying to look like Shelby Mustangs, which are rarer and more expensive that your run-of-the-mill Mustang. But wouldn’t it be easier to by an ACTUAL Mustang and make it look like a Shelby? You can probably buy one for the same price as an MR2, and it wouldn’t look like an abomination.

Bentley Gets Porsche Envy

2011-04-24T20:34:00.002-03:00

Bentley's new Continental Supersports ISR (also notable for having an extremely long 32 character name) appears to be emulating the world's most bloated Porsche GT3.

Tirrito Ayrton R

2011-04-22T21:53:00.004-03:00

The Tirrito Ayrton R looks like the unholy bastard child of a Pagani Zonda and a Lamborghini Reventon. Although it looks home made, it's surprisingly a boutique car maker that's apparently made multiple cars.

SixTen Sabre

2011-04-22T17:06:00.002-03:00

Have a Mustang convertible and think it's not unique enough? Like British cars but have very little taste? The SixTen Sabre is the kit car for you! Using a Mustang base, they add a swoopy (and flimsy) body kit with Mini headlights that lend a Morgan air (not exactly the most attractive car in itself) and rotated Volvo taillights that look all kinds of wrong.

2012 Honda Civic

2011-04-22T13:51:00.004-03:00

Again, not exactly a case of fugliness, but a case of moving backward, not forward. Or one might argue maintaining status quo. Still, one would think a major revision to a car would involve making it a bit more desirable.

The 2012 Honda Civic is only remarkable in how much it looks like the current model. The biggest change can be seen on the sedan, which abandons the old hockey stick taillights (aka: controvertial; fugly) in place of some more generic, previous generation Camry type taillights. While they aren't as strange, the also manage to make the car look older.

The revisions to the coupe look even less drastic - but somehow manage to make the look of the previous sleek little coupe a bit more chunky and ungainly.

Although occasional mild redos may be typical Honda fashion, this segment is suddenly en vogue now that gas prices have been and are still rising. Competition is only going to get more fierce, and it's competitors know this. Kia's recent Forte and Forte Koup are lookers, and Hyundai's Elantra is a bombshell. Ford's Fiesta and the Chevrolet Cruze are also substantially better looking and have upped the bar for interior refinement. Hyundai is also planning an Elantra coupe and hatchback/wagon (something Honda doesn't even offer). This might be the wrong time for a mild redo.

2013 Ford Taurus

2011-04-22T13:15:00.005-03:00

Ford is facelifting the Taurus for 2013, and while not exactly fugly I definately don't think it's an improvement.

2010 Taurus

2013 Taurus

While the Taurus reboot in 2010 was sleek and attractive, the 2013 refresh tries to bring in a hint of Mustang with it's new headlights. However these are complimented by a larger overwrought grille and fascia. The grille between the headlights is marred by strips of chrome that look like they were added as an afterthought. Down below is more chrome lipping the central portion of the grillework, splitting it into three segments with separate design themes. I think overall a bit too much is going on. I've attached my take on a slight revision to clean up the front end a bit.

Original

Take #1 - No Chrome

Take #2 - Central Strip

2013 also brings a facelift and separate facial identity for the SHO. The grille between it's headlights is an expanse of black plastic mesh, whose simpler look looks better. However from certain angles this huge field of plastic looks a bit cheap.

Mansory Cormeum

2011-03-01T21:51:00.005-04:00

Mansory is at it again releasing a new modified SLS called the Cormeum. Maybe their name is a portmanteau of “Man, I’m Sorry"...

The droopy face of the Stirling Moss SLR just borders on the brink of fugliness on it's own. Slapping that face on the SLS and adding random visual "go-fast" bits definitely pushes it over the edge of the precipice. I mean – scoops inside scoops? Slathering it in what looks like a faux carbon fibre wrap just ads insult to injury. I’m seriously beginning to think Mansory's staff of designers are a group of 14 year old boys.

Mitsubishi e-compact Concept

2011-03-01T21:47:00.002-04:00

Mentioning this car not because it’s ugly necessarily, but because it’s completely devoid of any resemblance of style. It almost looks like someone took a Ford Fiesta and removed all the interesting design cues to create one of those unbranded generic any-cars you see in advertising. Combined with a boring and forgetful name, I doubt anyone will remember this concept next week, let alone in years to come.

Gumbert Torante

2011-03-01T21:38:00.002-04:00

Finally, Gumbert is introducing a new sports car that actually looks pretty. For the most part. Around back things start to fall apart, as it has an almost industrial appliance type of look with taillights that look oddly like bar-code scanners lifted from a grocery store.

Alfa Romeo 4C Concept

2011-03-01T07:39:00.002-04:00

Maybe I'm alone, but to me the new Alfa Romeo 4C Concept looks remarkably like the Lotus Evo, sans rear seating. I suppose it's mainly due to the fact that the Evora looks a little like a Ferrari in the hind quarters, and they're related to Alfas by blood.

TechArt Cayenne

2011-02-25T23:09:00.003-04:00

The widemouthed, surprised looking TechArt Porsche Cayenne bodykit looks to be inspired by Edvard Munch's "The Scream". Which is fitting, as this is the reaction that I had upon first setting eyes upon it. Why is it that every modified Cayenne has to be an orgy of gaping orifices?

AutoChops

2011-02-25T20:41:00.003-04:00

Just posting my new blog, devoted photo manipulation. Thought I would keep it separate from AutoFug. Bear with me - it's still in the construction stages.

http://autochops.blogspot.com/

Paging Elton John

2011-02-22T22:20:00.003-04:00

Besides having a horrible that seems to have little to do with anything, Mini's new Rocketman concept for the 2011 Geneva Autoshow is an ugly little beast. What's more, the looks aren't even that original, resembling a shortened version of the equally ugly Citroen C-Cactus concept from 2007.

If autofug were a country, this would be it's leader.

2011-02-19T13:19:00.005-04:00

Click here for it's video on YouTube...

Wish I had more info butI can't speak the language in the video. It appears to have been filmed in Florida, however.

It appears to be mostly Mercedes wagon based, although you would think it may need a larger engine to push all that mass around. It's possibly a Chevrolet truck diesel, given that the engine sounds a bit larger than a Benz unit to my ears (and there's a random Chevrolet emblem front and centre on the hood). Other notable pieces are Chrysler Imperial headlights and pieces of older Cadillacs wedged in the bodywork.

I'm actually kind of impressed that it's actually driveable, and that the rear wheel steering seems to work so effectively. For the looks of it, you would think it would collapse in on itself with any movement at all.

Update:

It's for sale! It's 29 feet long and weights 7500 pounds! He hopes to get $950,000, which is about 100 times to more than it's worth.

Dreaming of a 300C Hybrid?

2011-02-19T13:08:00.003-04:00

Wait no longer! In a remarkable show of restraint, the cars actually doesn't have scissor doors.

Super Dee-Duper

2011-02-19T13:01:00.002-04:00

Remember Dinobots? I'm not sure, but I think this in one of the little known extras from the latest in the Transformer movie franchise that morphs into Barney the Dinosaur.

De Tomaso Revival is a Dodgey Proposition

2011-02-17T21:58:00.003-04:00

Can you find the car that isn’t a Dodge in the image to the left?

De Tomaso is forever etched fondly in my mind with memories of Panteras and Mangustas, but its revival threatens to change that. Similar to the misguided attempt to relaunch the Lagonda brand, this oversized sedan / SUV / crossover / thing is apparently what defines De Tomaso for the millennium. Where most original De Tomasos were exotic machinery with potent Ford engines, the new De Tomaso unfortunately is little more than a new body sitting atop a Cadillac SRX – a vehicles that is decidedly mediocre to start with. And speaking of that body, it's a bit generic with some decidedly low-rent looking taillights that wouldn't look out of place on a Dodge. Even the interior is little changed, save for being slathered in leather. Truly a sad day for fans of exotic cars of the 60’s and 70’s.

Merccord Coupe

2011-02-14T21:47:00.003-04:00

Mercedes has just released shots of it’s new C-Class coupe, which kinda sorta replaces the CLK. Kinda because the CLK sorta became the E-Class coupe. Which is based off the C-Class, but looks like an E-Class. Although this seems a bit repetitive, the C-Class coupe is smaller and doesn’t have the pillarless window effect of the E-Class Coupe or it’s dramatic bodyside treatment and (excessive) front end details.

In the end it’s a sleek and clean design that looks quite nice. Unfortunately, it also looks a lot like an Accord Coupe (in particular the greenhouse and bodyside crease), which probably isn’t the demographic they’re looking for.

Flavia Flav

2011-02-14T21:24:00.006-04:00

We’ve been hearing for a while now of Fiat’s plans to have a Chrysler 300 based Lancia. I thought that sounded a little sketchy originally, and today Fiat's made it's plans crystal clear as it released some shots of the upcoming car, which will take the Thema nameplate.

Where before I assumed that the chassis, engine and other bits would be used in a Lancia, it now seems that basically the only thing changed is the emblem in the grille, on the trunk and in the rims.
More alarming is that the 300 based Thema is not the only badge-engineered Lancia in the works… The Flavia nameplate has been resurrected in the form of the Chrysler ~~Sebring~~ 200, and even the Grand Voyager can now be had with a Lancia badge on the hood The latter has been named – imaginatively – the Grand Voyager. Which I’m guessing is Italian for “blasphemy”.

One can only guess as what the Italian public will think of these new products, given that 40-50 years ago the company was known for sporty, distinctive cars with a rich rally heritage. Although that being said the brand had been pretty much diluted to the point of being Fiat’s Mercury anyhow. Still – I was hoping for at least a facelift.

Review: 2011 Hyundai Elantra

2011-01-29T12:29:00.006-04:00

My daily driver is a 2004 Hyundai Elantra GT, so it's safe to say I'm pretty familiar with the car. When the 2006 Elantra came out, I was anxious to see how they'd improved it, given how impressive their recently reinvigorated 2005 Sonata was. Unfortunately, I walked away a little disappointed. Although larger with vastly improved interior quality, I found the new bloated exterior style a bit too bulbous. It suffered a bit in the driving dynamics as well, as I found the new electric steering over-boosted, and the shifter action of the manual a bit vague and rubbery. Suffice to say I was hoping the new 2011 model would fix some those issues. And after some time with the 2011 model today, I can comfortably say that they have.

Starting with it's exterior, the 2011 looks as if it hit the gym. There's some similarities to the last model in it's looks, but the new car has shed the last car's visual chubbiness and is now refined and muscular. The "fluidic sculpture" lines share a lot with the sleek new Sonata creating a family resemblance, yet the Elantra fares slightly better in this regard as it lacks the chrome Klingon forehead of a grille. Unfortunately the style injection is a double edged sword - some may find the new look a bit too different. For example, the car looks great to me from most angles - but it does look a little funky around the heavily sculpted rear wheel wells, with it's overly tall sheet metal resulting from the aggressively raked greenhouse.

Inside is the same story as the exterior. The 2006 Elantra's interior's fit and finish was a great improvement over the previous generation, but the look was a tad boring and generic. The 2011 keeps the improvements in fit and finish and revitalizes the interior with an attractive and aggressive new look similar to that of the Sonata and Genesis Coupe. From behind the wheel, the raked windshield, small diameter steering wheel and stubby shifter give a sporty impression - not unlike the Genesis Coupe but in a smaller scale. Unfortunately I didn't fiddle much with the user friendliness of the audio system as I chose to focus more on how it felt to drive. Maybe I'm getting old, but I often find many of the newer more integrated audio systems in cars to be a bit overwhelming initially as everything isn't organized in a defined rectangular area of the dash like they used to be. Makes you wonder if aftermarket systems are going the way of the dinosaur... That's a rant for another time, however. What I did fiddle within comfortable reach and had nicely damped motions.

I was also amazed at the content for the price. The car I drove was a 6 speed manual GLS (a Canadian package most likely differs from that in the US of A), whose window sticker was priced at around $21,000 CAD after destination charges. What do you get for this? A sunroof, aluminum rims, heated front AND rear seats (cloth though - however I prefer cloth seats as they're grippier when you're hustling), traction control, 6 speaker stereo with MP3 player/USB connectivity, Bluetooth, and steering wheel audio/cruise/Bluetooth controls. Oh - and a spoiler (something I personally don't pay attention to unless absolutely necessary as an aerodynamic aid). In fact the 2011 Elantra is cheaper than the outgoing model. Compared to that car's so-so looks inside and out, this car comes of as somewhat of a bargain.Even bare bones models contain more content based on their spec sheets than the outgoing model as well - a lot of content for $16,000 before destination.

Another area of note that I always look at being a hatchback owner is the space and accessibility of the cargo area. Not only does the Elantra have a huge trunk, it also has a rather large pass through area - rare in sedans. A couple faults here though - the seat backs don't fold flat and the seat bottoms don't fold forward to allow them to (most likely because of the heater mechanisms). It's possible that's a hatchback thing I've just expecting to see in all cars. The biggest irritation however is that the seat belts shoulder harnesses remain attached to the brace below the rear window with the seat backs fold, leaving seat belts criss-crossing the open hole. The sidemost belts aren't too in the way, but the centre shoulder harness definitely could get tangled in your cargo. It might be a safety issue, but I wish they folded with the seats.

But how does it drive? Quite a bit better than it's predecessor. I for one am not a fan of the electronic systems in newer cars. I definitely did not like of the steering of the last car. It had the steering feel and feedback of a video game steering wheel controller in that it felt disconnected and seemed to remove you completely from the driving experience. Unfortunately the new car still lacks feedback in the form of road feel, so it's still feels a bit distant when you're driving. However, it's now nicely weighted, and it no longer feels like you're in a driving simulation.

The shifter action is much improved as well, with short throws and a more solid feel than my 2004, with none of the rubbery action of the 2006. I was not a fan of the clutch and gas pedals though - they seemed to protrude too far, and offered too much resistance in my opinion. In fact, the clutch seemed too offer both too much and too little resistance. Lifting your foot felt as if the pedal was being propelled by a tight spring, while depressing it seemed to offer little resistance as your foot sank toward the floor. Due to this coordinating the gas and clutch took a bit of learning. That being said, it was easy to feel the soft spot in the clutch, and takeup was smooth and easy. The extra gear of the 6 speed is also a welcome addition, allowing you to cruise on the highway at 110 km/h at around 2000rpm. Although it was a little tough to engage (I accidentally downshifted to fourth a couple times).

The new Elantra is powered by a new 1.8L engine with 148hp and 131lb-feet of torque. The engine replaces the long serving 2.0L that carried over the last two generations. Offering similar power to that engine, fuel economy soars in comparison. Being used to the 2.0L, I found the 1.8L offered comparable power, although it felt a little less powerful most likely due to weight gain and gearing optimized toward fuel economy. It's still a peppy engine though, and quite quiet compared to my engine (although it sounded more industrial - like a turbine - compared to more pleasing growl the 2.0). Not to say that the car is superbly quiet though - a fair amount of road and accessory noise still makes it to the cabin.

Unfortunately I wasn't able to get a good feel of the suspension, due to some slick roads. But from the driving I did do it feels a tad more sporty and less floaty than the last couple generations, although it was harsh is some of the rougher spots.

All in all, I left pretty impressed. It has healthy doses of style and substance, and if it meets the fuel economy numbers Hyundai quotes it may be hard to top. Rumors swirl that a hatchback will follow, making this package even more attractive (to a hatchback and wagon fan, anyhow). Now, if it only had a turbo...