Forbes Ranks MINI #1 in Design

Ian C. Apr 13th, 2006 Link

But the Chrysler 300 at #2?

Reply

domino Apr 13th, 2006 Link

yeah..that’s just not right.

Reply

Mark Hendrie Apr 13th, 2006 Link

That is a great result for Mini especially as the current car has been around for so long – as far as design is concerned I still love the current Audi TT and dare I say it the BMW Z4!

Reply

LTZMTOR Apr 13th, 2006 Link

Most of the list is a joke. The 300….give me a break! A brick with wheels.

Reply

MINI VANILLI Apr 13th, 2006 Link

um….i agree with the MINI but where is the AUDI TT and the NISSAN 350Z.

Reply

Chris B. Apr 13th, 2006 Link

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. The 300 is a polarizing design… as is the MINI. If a designer tries to appeal to everyone the result is Bland (capital B). The 300 is a fresh design which has some design elements that harken back to early limo’ automotive designs. Some people think it’s cool enough to buy (enough to provide good income to Chrysler) You won’t see yourself coming and going on the street in a MINI or 300… or any fresh good design.

Reply

Mark Hendrie Apr 13th, 2006 Link

um….i agree with the MINI but where is the AUDI TT and the NISSAN 350Z.

I totally agree! It is strange that they have been omitted from the list.

Reply

Jon Apr 13th, 2006 Link

You might think of the 300 as bland and unremarkable NOW, but when it first came out, it was quite a revolutionary design. The high belt line, and seemingly “chopped” look of the top were very aggressive. They made the car look very solid and substantial, which was very new to the automotive market at that time. I think it does have a place on the list, but I would agree that the number 2 ranking is a bit unjustified.

Reply

Vanwall Apr 13th, 2006 Link

This just adds icing to the cake, and all of us know how brilliant the MINI is. I’m in agreement with most here, tho – the “ghetto bentley” ahead of the real article? Whiskey Tango Foxtrot? I can agree that the 300’s a sales success, but the MINI is what it is – the Chrysler 300 is’nt – it’s just a wannabe. Maybe they’ll start soon with the plastic filligree trim, like those old puffed up ‘K’ cars. ;-)

            BCNU,
           Rob in Dago

Reply

LTZMTOR Apr 13th, 2006 Link

No Offense meant but, including the 300 on any Best of Design list is ludicrous. It’s a BRICK with wheels. I see no “fresh” design here or harkening back to anything but BLAND (all caps). I will admit that the chopped top is interesting and had they gotten rid of the typical Chrysler blob front end it may have been interesting as an american style vehicle. Chrysler has F’d up the Viper, the Charger is stupidly bad, and most of their stuff is just bad excluding maybe the Crossfire which has some pretty decent lines. Maybe one of those Raspberry Award’s would be better.*

Also, I have always felt that the CTS was the innovator of “Chiseled Design” that some builders call “Flame Surfacing”. I have gotten into heated discussions over who was first with this look but the CTS was a full year before the “Flaming 5″ came out. I think it’s a tad severe but it was very innovative when it came out.

The rest of the list is a bit stodgy for me, but look at the publication, with the exception of the Vanquish, Koenigsegg, FX45 & MINI.

Glad to see the Prius mentioned but it’s one UGLY design.

That’s my 2bits… not meant to offend…. :>)

• Sorry Frank.

Reply

LTZMTOR Apr 13th, 2006 Link

Yup…Surely the plastic cladding is next.

Reply

LTZMTOR Apr 13th, 2006 Link

I was in a car wash last year and got to meet Dennis Haysbert (24 / Far From Heaven) He has a Bentley Continental GT. In person it’s a really beautiful car. He approached me and wanted to know how I liked the MINI. He seems like a really nice person.

Reply

kelly Apr 13th, 2006 Link

were are the pinanfarina designed cars?

Reply

Yegor H. Apr 13th, 2006 Link

You might think of the 300 as bland and unremarkable NOW, but when it first came out, it was quite a revolutionary design. The high belt line, and seemingly “chopped” look of the top were very aggressive. They made…

Yes, it was… were… made… but NOT NOW.

That’s the problem. Those kind of cars have fresh look for the first several times you see them, then… they just vanish. It’s like a hit-song. After-all, there are one or two angles only when the 300 looks OK, otherwise it’s very disproportional and bulky. Look at the Phantom, it’s huge. It’s the largest in it’s class. Despite its gigantic dimensions, it is very well balanced and perfectly proportional. One won’t even think it’s so big, unless there is an object or a person next to it.

Why MINI? Because it was great since its birth and BMW followed correct directions giving rebirth to it. There are no overhangs (AUDI) or disproportional tires (Prius) and so on. It just feels right in its size and has many delicate touches.

I am very glad, that BMW/MINI won’t make hideous changes to the design of the new MINI, like other manufacturers would do.

Reply

Vanwall Apr 13th, 2006 Link

Fins. Fins are gonna be the next lazy stylist’s easy out – no inspiration required, only excess. Watch, it’ll happen. The BMW Bangle Butt is one of these styling cliches that are used by not only the originator (read: rediscoverer, or dumpster-diver), but also the slavish imitators sure to follow. Look at all these snout cars out there – with big orifices just itching to have something shoved into ‘em – they suck by design. Can’t wait ’til one runs into the latest excessive rear-end – that could be illegal in a Bible-Belt state. Brrrr.

               BCNU,
              Rob in Dago

Reply

Aqualung Apr 13th, 2006 Link

The BMW Bangle Butt is one of these styling cliches that are used by not only the originator (read: rediscoverer, or dumpster-diver), but also the slavish imitators sure to follow.

True Rob, the new Camry has some echoes of this, along with the new Hyundais….it’s definately starting to show up…

Reply

Bill Lawrence Apr 13th, 2006 Link

I do credit the designers of the 300 and the CTS for departing from the Euro-wannabe school of design. If people want European sport sedans, they are going to buy one. If they want something different than the sea of metallic grey yuppie-mobiles, these cars offer a design choice that is uniquely American. I’ve heard the 300 is even selling well overseas. Let’s give the home team some credit where it’s due.

If I were in the market for a 4 door sedan, I might even look into one of these unusual alternatives, rather than drive a 3 series like everyone else.

Since I’m not, I’ll keem my MINI.

Reply

Bill Lawrence Apr 13th, 2006 Link

…err keep my MINI, not keem(whatever that means) :)

Reply

jarrett Apr 13th, 2006 Link

I agree with # 1 and number #10, the rest are blaise, same old same old.

Reply

Nathaniel Salzman Apr 13th, 2006 Link

MINI topping this list is no big surprise to me. I completely agree that it’s a design that transcends trend and will live strong for many years to come.

I’m going to chime in with Bill Lawrence and say I really appreciate the 300C. It’s not so much my style, but I really like that bit of Gotham City influence they’ve designed into the 300C, the Magnum, and the Charger. The high belt-lines, the big wheels, and the angular accents that aren’t overdone (like the CTS and the other Caddy’s). And having spent some time with the 300C (rental road trip), I was pleasantly surprised. I haven’t been that impressed with an american sedan in a VERY long time. Not for me, but like Bill, I applaud Chrysler for going in a truly unique design direction that isn’t simply BMW 2 years ago. Though I wish I could say the same for the Dodge truck line. That’s been an evolution of ugly!

Reply

MarkS Apr 13th, 2006 Link

The Prius? It looks like a shrunken Aztek. A rather strange list but I’m still glad the MINI is on it (along with the other two deserving cars: the Continental GT and the Vanquish).

Reply

LTZMTOR Apr 13th, 2006 Link

Everyone has a BMW? The things I seem to be missing. Let me check out my window…. nope not a Bimmer in sight, lotsa Toyotas though.

Personally, I would love to give the “Home Team” some credit but for what? A muddled Mustang, a horrid Charger, a brick of a 300, a Viper design change that has a white bread appeal, maybe the new Chevy Malibu or Impala? These should be great US icons but “I Think” they stink.

Not saying all imports are great, BTW, as most are as bad. But I’m an american and have been hoping for a long time our cars would get better. The US firms seem to be putting out better stuff in Europe with the companies they own over than here. Why?

To me the 300 is Lounge Lizard, Land Yacht stuff… maybe Chip Fosse could get it right. I will, as you did, give them credit for trying.

I would love a Prowler.

Reply

LTZMTOR Apr 13th, 2006 Link

Here’s a “Atta Boy” for US cars, and I never thought I see or say this but the new Saturn Prevue and Sky, from what I can see look decent. The Prevue does look a lot like the FX45 though.

Reply

blalor Apr 13th, 2006 Link

Here’s a “Atta Boy” for US cars, and I never thought I see or say this but the new Saturn Prevue and Sky, from what I can see look decent. The Prevue does look a lot like the FX45 though.

Funny should say that, as Saturn’s latest designs are re-badged (European) Opels… :-)

Reply

Damon Apr 14th, 2006 Link

I guess that is why they get designers to make these lists. I have to agree (and I’m a designer) with the list. The 300 is a great car and would be my 2nd choice after the MINI. Except for the Land Rover which is a little too high on the list I think it is a pretty good rating. The car that I think actually eclipses the MINI and I would have voted #1 is the new Mercedes CLS. THAT is sex on wheels and one of the most beautiful cars to come off an assembly line.

Reply

LTZMTOR Apr 14th, 2006 Link

blalor…..So the Prevue and the Sky are re-badged Opels? I had no idea as I had just seen some pics from the NY Auto show. I went to the Opel site and found the GT but nothing like the PreVue. I wonder where it was designed?

Damon…. I also am a designer and find the 300 offensive to my aesthetics.

Some folk like liver and some don’t. That’s what is so great about what we do for a living……. diversity. My chioce…. Mercedes Mclaren.

Oh Yeah…. :>)

Reply

Gabe Apr 14th, 2006 Link

Yes – pretty much all new Saturns will be rebadged Opels now. This was announced at the Detroit autoshow. I personally think it’s a good move considering how much better recent Opels have been as compared to recent Saturns.

Reply

LTZMTOR Apr 14th, 2006 Link

I couldn’t agree more, Gabe. Still wonder where the designs originated.

It’s been nice having discussions about obviously divergent opinions and it not getting personal.

Oh Yeah…….:>)

Reply

SpeedyV Apr 14th, 2006 Link

The Saturn Sky/Opel GT traces its design to the Vauxhall VX Lightning concept (created at GM’s Advanced Design Studio in Birmingham, England).

And as Gabe said, Saturn will essentially become the Opel brand in the United States. Read more about the new relationship between Opel and Saturn at http://www.saturnfans.com.

Reply

Damon Apr 14th, 2006 Link

It will be fun to have the OPEL name back in the states. I miss all the quirky European brands from the 60’s-70’s.

Reply

LTZMTOR Apr 15th, 2006 Link

I saw a Fiat Cinquecento last week. Now there is a mini car.

Reply