Roundel Rondo

This post may be a little confusing for those living in the US, where the Rondo was discontinued in 2010 after slumping sales and the debut of the redesigned 2011 Sportage, which they assumed would fill the void left by it's departure.

However, this wasn't the case in Canada, or most of the rest of the world where the model is known as the Carens. Sales were better in Canada and model carried on, albeit with a revised front end featuring the now standard punched grille.

But enough with the history lesson. What you see here is the next generation Rondo/Carens. It's much more attractive than its dowdy predecessor, and is still missing from the US lineup.

The newfound attractiveness comes at a price though, as it's very close to the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer, which itself is based on the 2012 Concept Active Tourer show car. Yet another recent Kia design that seems to borrow heavily from the BMW school of design  Even the rims above are similar. Regardless, it's one of the better looking small people carriers. I even think I like it better than the BMW, which manages to look not a lot like a BMW with its Mini based-bones.

Spawn of Spohn

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.

Das Blotto

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

Delusions of Grandeur

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

Vauxhall R8

I wouldn't say the revised Vauxhall R8 is fugly exactly, although the increasing number of stereotypical go-fast styling cues are approaching critical mass. I'm mainly posting because of the new split grille with chrome toppers. The added chrome looks like unnecessary bling, crowding an already complex front end treatment - and looks a lot like the grille of the pre-facelift current generation BMW 3 Series.

Reverse Nephrectomy

Just in case people might not recognize it as a BMW, it's always good to install extra dual kidney grilles.

BMVW

If the BMW kidney grilles are held in by zip ties, it's a sure sign that you're looking at the real deal.

It saddens me that I'm finding all of these unfortunate BMWs lately. This one appears to have been upholstered by someone's grandmother in lime green fabric from floor to ceiling. I'd guess it were a joke if not for the star-burst shaped piece of wood screwed to the door panel fitted with a ghetto speaker replacement. Looks a bit too permanent for a prank.

Hartge BMW 645Ci 5.1

Yikes. While the regular 6-Series isn't the prettiest car ever to be branded with the blue propeller, this beastly bucktoothed bodykit from Hartge makes the Pontiac G6 GXP look like a piece of artwork.

Sticky Situation

I'm at a loss for which is fuglier - sticker overload or chrome overload...

Nephrectomy

Usually, it's people with Eastern European cars that try to make them look like BMWs. Now the trend apparently is to make BMWs look like Eastern European cars.

Sbarro X5

Sbarro has been featured on this blog way more times than a design house should. I saved this picture a couple years back, so I'm not sure on the details on this other than it's a BMW X5 with a butchered front end.

Attack of the Clones – Genesis of the 5-Series

When I first laid eyes on the new 5-Series, something struck me as looking familiar. Ignoring the fact that it looks like a slightly boring scaled down 7-Series. And then it hit me reading an article with a nearby Hyundai ad – it’s lower front fascia looks very similar to that on the Hyundai Genesis Coupe. Sure there’s differences, but similarities are too close to ignore - the tall fog lights, the chrome bars bisecting the outer potions, and the swoopy detailing of bumper around them...



Speaking of the devil, the Genesis Coupe has long been considered for being featured here. I can’t get past it’s droopy rear window, but am unsure of whether that drags the entire car into the realm of fugly. Same goes for it’s relative, the swoopy new Sonata - it’s Klingon forehead grille is a bit of an eye-sore, but the rest of the car I believe makes up for it.

Veyron? Way wrong.

Almost had me fooled there for a second. Kinda wish it had a Bugatti horse collar grill - it would have been truly pathetic.

Lada M-Sport

The elusive M3 Czechoslovakia Edition.

Mystery "BMW"

May need help identifying the donor car... Alfa Romeo maybe? also - I think those are Lexus RX tails...

That BMW

Posted previously, I found more pictures so I thought I'd post them. These pics lack the Corvette badges on the rear fenders, but the car still has more chrome than an entire fleet of Buicks. Sadly, this car seems to be a rolling advertisement for "Elite Body & Custom Shop". Note the horrible spacing of the text on the rear window. Phone numbers blocked out to protect the ignorant.

Attack of the Clones: 2011 Honda Accord

Honda just today released pictures of it's updated Accord, whose current iteration isn't quite fugly - but definitely was not as pretty as previous generations. Focusing on the sedan here as it's the biggest offender. I wouldn't say the facelift exactly helps matters. Up a new grille is the biggest news - kind of similar to that on the Crosstour, but 40% the size. Guess it doesn't look too bad, but then I find myself constantly comparing it to the Crosstour.


However out back they seemed to glue on this gaudy taillight on the truck and call it a day. Worse yet, the looks is shockingly similar to everyone's favourite BMW.

Hamann Tycoon EVO M

Hanamm - thy name is overkill. The X6 is lame enough in it's own right - a "4 door coupe SUV". It existance is pointless and defies logic (coupes don't have four doors, and what's the point of an SUV that lacks utility?). When it comes to SUVs, BMW has gotten to be one of the industries worst offenders. They now offer two SUVs that are nearly identical to two other SUVs (X1/X3, X5/X6). But I digress...

If this SUV had any more scoops, spoilers or LEDs, it'd just be giant hunk of metal covered in scoops, spoilers and LEDs.

BM Double-Eww

Wow - I'm getting witty with my titles... So I don't really know what's going on here, other than atrocities against first generation 3 series. One can never have too many headlights or BMW badges. Or notches and scoops that look as if they would rip off at speeds over 60 km/h.