Quote:
Originally Posted by Evoking
Terribly boring. What happened to the days when BMW, MB, Audi all had their own character and Lexus was trying to copy MB with the original LS.
Now they all not only copy but blatantly copy each other with no shame! The E38 was the last of the original 7 series with aggressive lines and a wonderful interior. Then they went with the bulbous body and 70's shelf looking dash with i-drive and MB followed with the same ugly interior design.
Now BMW follows lexus with the huge rectangular exhaust cutouts. Its looking more like one has to get a Quattroporte for any sort of real character.
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Well I think BMW has always had their own character. Whether or not you like their latest design direction, beginning with the current Z4, it is somewhat revolutionary and many automakers are following suit, for better and worse. Look at everyone designing a new "signature" grille as of late. Not exactly copying the design but the concept of a familiar and recognizable front. Even more recently with Audi and their LED lights, trying to grab attention like BMW's angel eye's. A lot of "BMW" design cues I'm seeing are the I-drive knob (almost everyone), trunk lids (S-class, camry), flow and form of body and character lines, etc. Lexus used to be in pursuit of Merc till they probably realized it might be better to compete with BMW. I think I read yesterday somewhere that Mercedes' COO said they were in a "crisis". As for the exhaust tips, I have nothing to say about that one. I understand they want to accentuate the sportiness of the 7 but they could've used real exhaust tips. Even Ferrari is copying Lexus on their California.