5 chose
This week in conversation aza raised another interesting auto topic: do cars look like their owners?...
... Have you heard this expression: a dog looks like its owner? I'm sure you heard. And thanks to my friend, I happened to get acquainted with a similar theory, only regarding cars. Just imagine: a pile of iron on four wheels is driving along the road, and my friend determines with almost 100% accuracy what its owner looks like!
It would seem a funny conversation, nothing more. Played, fooled around and forgot. But since then, I noticed that I unwittingly began to apply this theory in my life. Suddenly I discovered that my neighbor in the stairwell is very similar to her Land cruiser 200 : both are massive, rounded, even their skin color is somehow the same! - yellowish. And my girlfriend - a very bright, piquantly plump girl - drives a Rav4 bright red. And I can't imagine her driving some other car.
Hearing my thoughts on the topic, my husband chuckled: "Well, then, if you compare the car that you consider yours, then you should look like a terrible toad."
And you think, what is he talking about?... Oh Porsche Cayenne
in a new body in 2010! And I strongly disagree with my husband!
Dry on this car, I started three years ago, when my husband and I looked after my first car. Every time, riding around the city, I looked at the cars passing by with passion. Nothing grabbed me. It's like choosing clothes - you run past the windows of boutiques and think: "Oh, what a dress. I would like this! And this, and that one more..." And when you go with a specific task to buy a thing, you don't like anything. So here.
I have already decided that I will not meet my car, with which we would live in perfect harmony. When all of a sudden I saw him. And from that moment on, every time I just get thrilled when I meet him. I like everything about it: the shape of the body, its streamlining and compactness, predatory "muzzle", graceful agility and, of course, the incredible comfort of the cabin. Besides for me German quality always, everywhere and in everything in priority, and in cars as well.
And now, in the presence of all these virtues, with an eye to the words of my husband, it turns out that my inner world is covered in warts and smells like a swamp? ..
Chief Exterior Designer, Ford (Europe)
“A lot of people don't understand what we do. Engineers think we're playing with spillikins, our parents think we're playing plasticine like little kids, friends think we're having a never ending party. In fact, of course, our tasks are more difficult and boring. Development external design The car is developed by a group of 5-6 people under the direction of the chief designer. Few people study to be a car designer. We have a furniture designer, a graphic designer in our team, but the main condition for everyone is that the specialist must have a vision of the future car.
Here in Cologne (Ford of Europe design center in Merzenich. - Note. ed.), we specialize in small and medium-sized cars: Galaxy, Mondeo, Fiesta and Focus. But usually development takes place in a competitive environment: new cars are drawn in Ford design offices around the world, and then the best one is selected from all projects. We are involved in every step of the machine from the very beginning to the very end - from the paper sketch to the assembly line. We draw a lot of sketches. Some draw with a marker, others with an airbrush, some draw on a digital tablet. We have huge screens - powerwalls, on which we can project our drawings in order to better perceive them. We also animate sketches to see what the car looks like in motion.
Having finished with the sketches, we proceed to full-size clay models. This is perhaps the only industry where designers have to work with plasticine. Only in this way on a real object can we study the bends of the lines of the model. Such volumetric model auto gives a completely different feeling of perception than any, even a three-dimensional image. It's one thing if you see a picture, it's quite another when you can walk around the object. Now digital technologies are also included in this process, but basically it is still handmade. Next, we apply a film imitating paint to the plasticine and add details: door handles, lights and wheels. A special material imitates tinted glass - in general, we make the model as realistic as possible. It takes about two weeks to create a model in 1:10 scale, it weighs about 10 kg; in order to make the final edits and make the model in real size, the designers need to spend another two months and 1.2 tons of plasticine. The materials used alone cost $30,000, while the entire model costs $2 million to develop.
Further, this model is tested in a wind tunnel, where the behavior of each part from the point of view of aerodynamics is studied. Not every automaker has its own setup for this, but we were lucky. After the tests, we pass the three-dimensional drawings to the engineers, who say which elements and body curves can be implemented in a real car, and which ones will have to be abandoned. Then we check the model so that there are no gaps or gaps in the panels: everything should look premium. At the same time, interior designers are working on how the car looks from the inside. We designers are crazy about details.”
How car interiors are designed
Chief Material & Color Designer, Ford (Europe)
“Work on an interior project starts with a mood board. Having decided on the dimensions and parameters of the interior, we decide whether it will be a classic, sporty or elegant style. We work with the mood and try to look for inspiration in a variety of things - for example, in sneakers or racing jackets: they have a lot of details and combinations of materials, seams and so on. We often visit industrial exhibitions: it is very interesting to observe, for example, how furniture inspires technology designers, and technology inspires furniture makers. It is important for us to follow the latest trends, especially when we decide on the interior color palette and the main color. For example, over the past three years, cars have become popular in brown colors: Light brown to dark chocolate shade. Before that, white cars were the most popular.
It is important that everything is harmonious: colors, textures, and surfaces that are different to the touch. We are working on a full-size model of the interior of the car - here we look at how everything fits together. This is our sandbox where we play with materials, colors and details. It happens that we ask 10 times a day to change the color of an element. The slightest nuances completely change the feeling of the whole interior. On the same layout, we are demonstrating for our management. But the hardest thing is to give everyone individual element machine name and color code and texture. According to this detailed brief, our order is then processed, after which everything is checked by the quality department.
Working for the global market, it is important to please everyone's tastes. Take Apple for example - why does everyone like the iPhone so much? It only exists in a few colors, but it's a very emotional product. In my work, I also always try to get into these emotions. Only then will people like the product. But each individual region requires something special. For example, in Turkey and Israel, because of the hot climate, bright car interiors are popular, but in Germany and Britain, no one needs them. Different countries have different feelings. For example, Americans like something more flashy and prefer soft-touch seats - like a teddy bear. Europeans love dry hard textures. The graininess of the surface, the hardness, the gloss or lack of it, the contrast in the sensations of the material - all this creates a feeling of a quality thing. However, we have the opportunity to make only one product - and you can't go wrong.
Panel design Ford Focus was developed in 2008–2009; of course, we tried to “combine” it, make it less busy, and we also tried to dilute it with materials that are more appropriate for the new time. When designing an interior, a lot depends on money: I have a certain budget, beyond which I cannot go. And it's always very difficult. For example, I think: “It’s worth spending a couple more dollars,” but I just don’t have them. Then I make a compromise: I decide to use, for example, fewer stitches, but I take more leather. High Quality. You always have to find a balance, bargain like in a bazaar.”
Photo: Promo
Why do some cars look cool and others don't?
“My ex-boss used to say that there are three main things in car design: proportions, proportions and proportions. They can be bad if, for example, the front or rear of the car is too long. Wheels play an important role - they must be proportional to the total volume. Of course, the shape of the body is also important. Previous Ford models Focus were flatter, without much curves - not so interesting. The hood used to look flat, too side windows the Focus, like all modern cars, has become narrower. We can make the car look cooler - lower it, or we can, on the contrary, raise the landing, like an SUV.
automotive designer
"One of the axioms automotive design consists in the fact that the wheels of the car must be highlighted visually so that the entire volume rests on them - this is what connects the car to the ground. The stronger this support, the more confidence in it. note that racing cars always look much cooler: they have much more powerful motors, and to improve driving performance cars put large, wide-spaced wheels (in case of an excess of power, small wheels will spin, and more effective brakes can be installed in a larger diameter disc).
“Of course, when working, for example, on a show car, we designers have complete freedom. We do whatever we want; There are no engineers above us - and there are no such rigid frameworks for the cost of components. But I think that people really like to look at such beautiful cars but they don't necessarily want to buy them. Everyone prefers practical things that can be used every day, meet the needs and will be affordable. Even if someone has money for concept cars and sports cars, they are not so willing to buy. It’s not comfortable to just go on vacation or to the store in such cars, so most people choose something simpler.”
“The main difficulty of working on a mass-produced car is that the models correspond to the given dimensions, the dimensions of the engine, wheels, the amount of free space in the cabin, and so on. There are a lot of restrictions: any change can transfer the car to another segment. In addition, we must meet the cost of each part of the machine. Another thing is legal restrictions. The height of the roof, the dimensions of the headlights, even the dimensions of the mirrors are subject to certain safety requirements. For example, we cannot put a display and a camera instead of a rear-view mirror - we have no right to do this, since by law a car must have mirrors. While working on the design, we are constantly trying to improve something. There is always an original vision - best design, which we can offer, but then, for example, management will ask: "Why don't you try to do this?" or “Can we improve something further, make the product more innovative?” We return to work and come with others, best ideas. Therefore, the project is constantly evolving.”
“When developing a compact low cost car, the main determining factor is the greatest possible savings while making the highest possible profit. Savings are manifested in absolutely everything - hence the very stringent requirements for engine efficiency and aerodynamics. The efficiency of the motor implies its relatively low power, which leads to a reduction in the size of the wheels to maintain adequate dynamic characteristics. The second aspect is the requirement to provide maximum space inside with small dimensions, and the requirement for fuel efficiency forces us to think through aerodynamics.”
product designer and art director
“Within a certain class of phenomena and things, everyone is alike in typology. All bicycles have two wheels, a steering wheel and a chair, all watches have arrows and serifs, phones have just a screen. In this sense, cars of this class are in a very strict framework for a huge number of parameters that often contradict each other. So the whole appearance of the car is just a ratio of reasonable to possible.
There are very few maneuvers for the designer, just, in fact, a few centimeters of wrap around the platform. But auto designers do wonders by coming up with new solutions around the same thing. Branded features come to the fore. If you look closely, you will always distinguish French style (light, slightly frivolous), German (restrained, proportional), Korean (bright, lively curved lines) and the like. They differ in the curvature of surfaces, details, nuances. In addition, there are very prominent post-classics such as the Mini or Fiat 500.
For example, the Ford Focus, since its introduction in 1999, has largely revolutionized the mass automotive market. For such a monstrous concern as Ford, it was a risk, but they were very lucky. Everything was done correctly, and the car became a legend. Since then, they have maintained the reputation of the model, evolutionarily and smoothly changing the design in line with the times. Which is understandable from an economic and even consumer point of view.”
But why did all the cars look cool and so different before?
“Why can't we build cars like we did in the 1960s and 1970s? Yes, because at that time there were other legal restrictions and there were no security requirements at all. In addition, many body parts were created by hand - accordingly, the number of cars produced was incomparably smaller. Then everything was made only of metal, but now we use a lot of plastic. Also, modern people require more space in the cabin. If you drive Alfa Romeo from the 1950s, you will be very surprised how cramped it is. And the old “beetle” was generally considered a car in which the whole family went on vacation! But in the past, it was easier to own a car: there weren't so many problems with it - and you didn't need so much money. Having a car in the city now is a very expensive pleasure: gasoline prices are rising, insurance costs more and more, parking is paid everywhere - and there are also constant traffic jams. If earlier all teenagers only waited for the age of majority to get a license, now they do not need it - they simply cannot afford it. Therefore, we need programs like car sharing and, of course, attractive and available cars. For our part, as designers, we can offer people a product that looks good.”
As usual, I was rummaging through a large pile of spacious RuNet. ran into this article. I'm not a fan of stereotypes, any stupid social studies. But there is definitely something in this article. After all, after the acquisition, every little thing individualizes your car. Here is a copy-paste of the article:It is believed that dogs closely resemble their owners. This opinion is as true as the fact that the car looks like its owner.
Often people do not buy cars based on their social status. This happens rather on an unconscious level, and the choice of a car depends on the internal state of a person. Of course, this applies, first of all, to that category of lucky people who can make a choice not from what is available, but from what they want.
So let's start with the size. If a person wants to buy big car, then, according to psychologists, this may indicate the desire of this individual for personal expansion. In other words, a person wants to be bigger than he really is or strives to emphasize his importance.
This in some cases is a way to compensate for any unsatisfied aspirations and desires or unfulfilled plans.
And it happens that a person who is not constrained by a lack of funds prefers small cars. Perhaps in this case it speaks of his low self-esteem.Not less than important role plays and colors. Here we will not consider lovers of "practical" color. It is believed that if a motorist prefers one or another color, then this particular color is not enough in his life. He is everyone possible ways will seek to fill this gap. In short, it looks like this.
If preference is given to red, then this characterizes a person as an instinctive nature, who loves to express himself, who is in constant motion.
Orange color symbolizes sexual energy and the desire for it.
Yellow has long been considered the color of the sun. Owner yellow car can be described as a sunny person, but at the same time prone to command. After all, the sun is the center of the universe.
Green color can be called the color of warmth, calmness, cordiality. If we talk about the shades of this color, then light green is considered the color of summer, and dark green or marsh speaks of unexpressed emotions and feelings.
Blue color is most often preferred by people who love or want to talk, chat.
Blue has always been considered the color of the mind. Car enthusiasts perceive blue the world not through feelings and emotions, but through the head.
Violet color is chosen by people prone to creativity, refined natures. They perceive the world largely through intuition.
White is a unifying color. The people who choose him are equally endowed with all qualities and passions. In addition, lovers of white are adherents of purity.Black and gray colors mostly chosen by people who do not like to stick out, preferring to remain invisible. For such people, psychology has coined the term "shadow figures". However, they seek to control the situation.
Now let's talk about the form, which can also tell a lot about its owner.
Some prefer angularity, a design element that has been around for decades. This suggests that principles and beliefs formed during a period when angularity was common are of great importance in human life. These motorists are opponents of all new trends.
Motorists who opt for modern design have a good sense of time, calmly part with attitudes and dogmas, and easily change something in their lives. This is mainly for the younger generation.
The passion for tuning and bells and whistles indicates that the owner of the car carefully perceives all his life nuances and emphasizes his individuality.
There is a category of drivers who do not want to change anything in the appearance of the car, but they direct all their efforts to decorating the interior. This speaks of a person's desire for comfort. Craving for internal or external bells and whistles can determine the psychotype of a person. So, people who direct their energy outward (extroverts) pay a lot of attention to the design of the body. Those who are focused on their inner world(introverts), they are mainly engaged in decorating the salon, creating a space that is dear to the heart.
There are car enthusiasts who love to restore old cars. It can be assumed that, while restoring the apparatus, such people are restoring something in themselves. This is a kind of control over life: a person becomes more confident if he manages to restore something.
Let us also dwell on minor details that may indicate the age, gender, and habits of the owner. So, for example, in youth you want to live faster, so preference is given to fast cars. And with age, there is a desire to live longer, you begin to think about safety.
The beautiful half of humanity, choosing a car, also pays a lot of attention to safety and security. But "generalists" are preferred by economic people.
Even such a detail as a gearbox can also say a lot about the owner of the car. People who want to have a lot of control over their lives will opt for the standard mechanical box. Those who love comfort and rely only on circumstances in their lives will choose an automatic machine.
No matter how we try to hide the features of our character, they will still make themselves felt, even when choosing a car.
Let's discuss the research of the next "British scientists"?
Not only twins are very difficult to distinguish from each other. This applies to many cars as well. Especially in last years many cars have become very similar to each other. Often many of us on the road began to confuse Mercedes with Hyundai or with Kia or other car brands. But Chinese cars stand out on the road, many of which are very similar to popular brands machines.
We invite our readers to see what cars are easy to confuse on the road? Despite the fact that Chinese cars in most cases are copies of European and Japanese stamps, there are many cars of other popular manufacturers in the world that make their products very similar to other vehicles.
Alfa-Romeo 4C and Lotus Elise
The car was designed for a long time. The concept of the engine layout in this model is very similar to the location in the Lotus Elise. Therefore, it is not surprising that the body of these cars is very similar.
Kia Quoris and BMW 7 Series
Unlike Germany, where locals prefer to buy, in Russia there is a model Kia Quoris. This Korean car luxury, which is very similar to the Bavarian "seven". Quoris is similar to the BMW 7-series for a reason, since all over the world this German model is the benchmark for luxury sedans.
Jaguar C-X17 and Porsche Cayenne
It was introduced in 2013. In 2015, the machine is expected to enter the mass production. This crossover has many common features with a Cayenne.
BMW 2-series Active Tourer and Kia Carens
Active Tourer is new family model and will also be the first stock car with front wheel drive. German company enters the unexplored realm of front-wheel drive vehicles, where the Korean Kia. For example, here is the Carens model. Surprisingly, but exactly. Both cars have a modern appearance and are equipped with everything you need.
BMW 2-series Active Tourer and Honda FR-V
FR what kind of car is this? This is a six-seat compact minivan, which was produced from 2005-2009. In Japan it is known as the Honda Edix. The car had six seats. Each seat moved independently of the others. Decisions and style, found their reflection.
Mercedes CLS and Volkswagen CC
Showed us what an ideal four-door coupe should look like by releasing CLS model. In any case, Mercedes engineers were inspired by the styling of the Passat CC, which is the most beautiful model VW company. Passat CC received a successful reystaling in 2012.
Opel Corsa and Hyundai i20
Like crossovers, small compact cars are gaining popularity in many Russian cities. German and Korean mini cars are very similar to each other. Pay attention to the photo on the side details. The cars are almost identical, except that there are no triangular inserts in the front side windows.
Lexus GS and Jaguar XF
These two noble cars are not so common on our roads, unlike BMW, and Mercedes. As you can see, for both manufacturers, the use of chrome parts is the main thing to emphasize the premium class of cars.
Alfa-Romeo Giulietta and Mazda 3
Very similar cars. Giulietta shared body design with Mazda3. Please note that on Alfa-Romeo, the trunk handle is hidden, unlike.
Kia GT4 Stinger and Audi R8
What would you like to pay attention to. The similarity of sports cars is not a vice and not a minus of a sports car manufacturer. The fact is that when designing sports cars, the emphasis is shifted towards aerodynamic drag and overclocking technologies. Therefore, for sports car designers, there is no question of creating a unique style. But the designers of the Korean concept, most likely, decided to think a little about the style and design of their sports car, but did not come up with anything better than copying some elements. The parallels are already visible.
Kia GT4 Stinger and Saab Aero-X
Another comparison between the GT4 Stinger and a similar sports car. When designing a sports car, engineers know there is perfect shape body sports cars. In this case, both cars approach the ideal design. In the photo, the two cars are concepts, which, unfortunately, will remain so.
Ford Kuga and Toyota RAV4
Despite the fact that both cars are different, there are still similarities in many body elements. For example, a D-shaped body shape, headlights and taillights. But the Ford crossover is distinguished by large convex wheel arches and convex body elements on the doors.
Alfa MiTo and Mazda Hazumi
Hazumi shows . Recall that this concept car was shown at the Geneva Motor Show 2014. The photo reveals all the parallels with the Alfa Romeo MiTo. Especially the body lines.
Skoda Fabia and Suzuki Swift
Two practical and compact cars have many convenient features. But the merit of these models is not only in functionality. Both cars have a modern look. Pay attention to the middle pillars of the doors.
Nissan Qashqai and Suzuki SX4 S-Cross
New SX4 in direct comparison with Qashqai. Previously, these cars were little similar to each other. But after the release of the new Suzuki SX4 model, both crossovers became very similar.
Recall that the previous generation SX4 was very similar to Fiat model Sedici.
Fiat 500L and Mini Countryman
The photo shows that both cars are from the same family of mini cars. Yes, of course, these models are also similar to other cars, especially due to the large headlights, but we still decided to include these two models in the comparison, which are very similar in style.
Infiniti Q50 and BMW 3 Series
When viewed from the side, it will be very difficult for you to quickly distinguish between these two cars. They are very similar appearance from the side, not only due to the body, but also due to optics. To distinguish between these machines, look at back rack, which Infiniti has a characteristic break in the body line.
Successful style is contagious. It happens that you look at the elegant Benedict Cumberbatch wandering around the screen, and then you go to the tailor to order a similar suit. Czech designers, for example, rode for a long time and with pleasure. Mercedes-Benz E-class previous generation before restyling. The subconscious is an amazing thing: as a result, a updated Skoda Octavia with a similar "muzzle". "Eshki", by the way, are loved by taxi drivers. There are also a lot of Octavius in taxi companies, so Europe (and Moscow too!) is already entitled to talk about a single corporate style for its cabs. Just like in London!
Skoda cars are not the first time born with someone else's design. The Octavia of the previous, second, generation was too similar in its headlights ... yes, also to Mercedes! This time - for the post-styling C-class of 2012.
Copy elements Mercedes-Benz style, Audi or BMW is always profitable. The recognizable aristocratic breed makes any potential buyer keep their eyes on the car. According to the recipe “a little from here, and a little more from here”, all large luxury sedans Korean stamps. They don't have their own genes. And they will appear soon. Perhaps one of the first similar effects we could watch while giving birth Kia Opirus. Remember this parody of the "big-eyed" Mercedes-Benz E-class in the back of the W210?
Then the Koreans worked much more subtle. The current Genesis G80, of course, resembles the proportions and grille of the Audi A7. But he copies it, shall we say, with dignity. And the latest model, the G90, looks almost like a Maybach at the back and an Audi at the front. Inside, there are also Mercedes motives. It can be seen that the stylists have been closely acquainted with German brands for a long time.
In general, more democratic Hyundai models they look longingly towards Ingolstadt, remembering the past joys of their stylists. Compare newest hyundai i30 and pre-reform Audi A3 Sportback. Designers are trying to come up with something of their own within the framework of recognition and premium. In this case, the torment resulted in the slightly concave undersides of the polygonal grille.
There are also more straightforward borrowings. Even strange in their impudence. Let's compare the sirloins of the Volvo XC60 and the concept Lada X Ray(at production car taillights were cut off, most likely for financial reasons). Most striking is the similarity of the brand's lettering in sparse font on the trunk lid. However, what's so surprising: both designs came from the pen of Steve Mattin.
By the way, Volvo is another great role model. The same four irregularly shaped headlights that Octavia will now flaunt were, after all, not only at the “yeshki”. But also for several Volvo models five years ago. And here, let's say, a conceptual big Kia crossover telluride. How not to compare its monumental and, at the same time, banal image with the Volvo XC90? What are you saying? Vertical segments rear lights in Volvo they go along the rear pillars, while in Kia, on the contrary, they go down to the bumper? Oh well.
At Ford brands there is a peculiarity: every few years its draftsmen find a radical a new style. And, sometimes, indeed, they make colossal discoveries. For example, New Edge, which started in the late 90s with a tiny Ka. But now the Fords, although beautiful, are too similar in face to models Aston Martin. Such a belated genetic hello from the brand that previously belonged to the "blue oval".
By the way, I would like to compare the same Genesis G90 - of course, with known assumptions in terms of proportions - with the fantastic Aston Martin Lagonda. Down to the emblem on the hood.
Want more food for thought? Then we offer to take a closer look, for example, at a couple: the freshest Lincoln Continental and Jaguar XF.
Sometimes borrowings are so subtle that you don’t understand how fundamental they are. Say "Hoffmeister bend" in design rear pillars, which has become a hallmark of BMW, is also found in other brands. Take a look at the profile Volkswagen Passat and compare it with the "three". Yes, completely different proportions due to the layout. But the famous bend is not going anywhere!
Finally, “our everything”, the Cortege project! Or, by new version, Aurus. They say that the serial (not presidential) sedan will be very similar to this image. Which, in turn, resembles either Bentley or Rolls-Royce. And the front panel with two huge screens sends us back to the Mercerdes S-class. In general, not China, but some yellowness is present.
Chinese song should be sung separately. Everybody there car brands grew out of carbon paper and copier. On the surface - an analogue of the "Cortege". Here it is called HongQi ("red flag", read "Hong Qi"), and the mandarin nobility rides on it. In general, Hong Qi has several models. At the top stands the HongQi HQE, 6.5 meters long. The car is one of the most important cars in the world. However, in profile and proportions, it unequivocally recalls Rolls-Royce Phantom, and in full face ... poured "Volga" GAZ-21! Why is that? The fact is that the "English" limousine today is the standard for the most comfortable cars. Therefore, according to the Chinese, it is necessary to copy all the best. Moreover, in the East they believe that by copying you pay tribute to the copied. A similar situation is with the 21st Volga. This is how the "Red Flags" looked for several decades, from the very first car, indeed, peeped from the older Soviet brothers.
Finally, you can borrow design... from yourself, from generation to generation. No kidding, this is the height of professionalism. Porsche designers are truly incredible masters of their craft, drawing absolutely new car so that it retains 100% of the genes of the great 911.
By the way, the same well-deserved German trinity is now coming to a similar approach in design. Stylists do not make their work easier at all, but they do each next car so that the DNA is not lost. So, the desire to copy a design because it is recognizable and successful is the logic of not only plagiarists, but also excellent artisans.
