Hyundai OLV

Thank God Hyundai decided not to use the design language from this 2003 concept. With style that looks halfway between Edsel and Jeep Wrangler, it also has what appears to be the most useless cargo area ever, only useful for transporting bicycles.

Beijing Hyundai Verna

While it was drunk with power and holding the knife they used to butcher the Sonata, Beijing Hyundai saw it fit to set it sights on the Hyundai Verna (an Accent by any other name). Besides having a rather unappealing name (I can hardly get excited over a car that shares a name common with octogenarians), the Accent’s previously cute albeit plain face now has a grimacing leer. Thankfully we’ll be saved from this facelift when the new Accent arrives next year (which manages to incorporate the styling cues added above in a graceful and sleek manner).

Beijing Hyundai Sonata EF (Extremely Fugly?) Facelift

Beijing Hyundai is a Chinese division of Hyundai, which sells current models along with an expanded lineup that also sells older versions of current models. Not sure what the benefits of offering 3 Sonatas is – I can only guess that the older tech ones are cheaper. One thing they aren’t is attractive.


Take the Beijing Hyundai BT01. Basically a fourth generation (EF) Sonata, the Chinese thought it wise to graft on a face similar to the current fluid Hyundai design language. Unfortunately, the 4th generation’s bulbous flanks did not take the enhancements well. Up front the oval headlights and wide, narrow grille have been replaced with massive headlights and massive grille that look several sizes too large. Those headlights look eerily familiar as well – they’re slightly reminiscent of the current Chevrolet Equinox and Malibu.


Out back things are far worse. The taillights are quite similar to those of the facelifted 4th generation Sonata, except there are some red reflective growths protruding from the trunk. They should get those checked out – they could be malignant.

Fenice Milano Rolls-Royce Ghost Diva

And I thought Mansory was bad. I more proper name might be “Dubai Wet Dream”. Everything chrome is plated in 24 karat gold (and then some), and every other surface is coated in the most brash colours of paint, wood and leather that exist on planet earth.

Nissan Smarty-Pants

The Smart ForTwo is one of the more unique looking cars on the market, and it’s entry into the market started a whole new trend of micro-micro cars. The only problem is that they’re relatively expensive for their size. Not unsurprising, given it’s parents are Mercedes-Benz. The price is one reason why the Smart ForTwo is finding it difficult to gain sales in the US. Another is it’s diminutive size. The sketches you see here are Smart’s attempts to solve both problems in one brand-diluting blow – basically take a Nissan and stick a bunch of hokey crap on it.

There’s several problems with this approach. The main issue is that the concept of this car goes against the original concept of the Smart car brand – the Smart ForTwo is unique because it's so small. Sure – there was the ForFour sedan. But it still maintained their clever packaging details of the ForTwo to keep it’s size at an absolute minimal. And in doing so it had proportions unlike the rest of the automotive landscape, which also was part of it’s appeal. Another safety and subsequent design feature of Smart cars are their Tridion safety shell.

The Nissan Micra based Smart is definitely a conventional passenger car layout, and lacks both the safety cell and proportions of a traditional Smart car. The end result trying to make the Nissan look like a Smart car is that it looks forced and superfluous. The Smart ForTwo had bulbous front fenders because the wheels were pushed to the absolute corners of the car. The Nissan’s bulbous “Smart fenders” look over-inflated (and ridiculous) because it’s wheels are set further back and the fenders are completely unnecessary.

The overall car ends up looking less like a Smart car and more like a cheap Chinese knock off of a Smart car. And perhaps the worst offense it that it looks much, much worse than the stock Nissan Micra on which it’s based. Sure it’s would be a cheaper option for those who want a Smart car. But know what would be even cheaper? Just bringing over the Nissan Micra. And you wouldn’t look like a tool driving an overpriced sales gimmick.