IS BS

I’m not sure what’s going on over at Lexus. They’ve adopted a style best described as “psychedelic origami predator by Nike”. Their goal was to energize the brand and make it more attractive to a younger generation. Apparently sales have increased, but the polarizing designs are definitely ones you love or absolutely abhor. I’m one of the latter, although the more recent sportier offering like the RC coupe wear the look a little better. Maybe this is one of those cases where the designers eventually evolve the design, with each successive generation learning how to make things more cohesive. Almost like automotive natural selection.

For now I’ll focus on the latest IS, as it’s a good example of what I hate with the current Lexus designs. Other than the limited production LFA, it’s their first model to draw heavily from the extreme and similarly polarizing LF concept cars, with it’s sweeping contours and sharp edges. I should say that I’m not hating on the complete IS package – I actually find most of everything aft of the A-pillars quick sleek and refreshing. Speaking of the LFA, if you look closely at the front of the LFA, you’ll see the spindle shape as well, albeit not in grille form.

Spindle Grille or Mandible Mug?

The Lexus “spindle grille” is where it all started (although to be fair, not on the current IS but on the 2011 Lexus GS). Such a large grille opening can be hard to pull off. Audi has managed to produce some nice looking front ends, but it’s definitely hard to pull off successfully. Although the Lexus grille doesn’t look as “fake” as some, it looks like someone tried to suck the front end off with a vacuum. It also kind of looks like this attractive fellow.

Nike-like

Just as I was getting used to the grille, Lexus threw another design signature into the mix with LED driving light separated into their own units, slashing into the front fascia like metallic Nike swooshes. The IS is notable for being the first Lexus model to adopt this design feature. I guess it’s something we have to get accustomed to, as it’s also appearing on their new NX SUV, which is fugly enough to get a post all it’s own.

Super Dee-Duper

Remember Dinobots? I'm not sure, but I think this in one of the little known extras from the latest in the Transformer movie franchise that morphs into Barney the Dinosaur.

When "topless" is a bad thing...

I would imagine that this unfortunate Lexus LX 570's offroad prowess would be somewhat reduced with the removal of it's roof. Not that it would have ventured off road anyway, I suppose.

Soaring Mercedes

Don't let the title fool you into thinking this is about the infamous flying Mercedes CLRs of 1999. What you see here is a Toyota Soarer (or an Lexus SC to North American folks) made up to look like a Mercedes coupe. A weird combo of CLK, SL and Japanese tuner car, I'm unsure why you wouldn't just buy a CLK as it's most likely cheaper, and pretty much looks the same (although the CLK has better lines than this mish-mashed attempt at replicating the look).

Toyota Shamu

I believe this is an early Lexus LS / Toyota Celsior. In true Bōsōzoku tradition, the car modification has spread like cancer in the form of multiple taillights and pointles louvers. This car was particularly hard hit, as even it's side reflectors and license plates are multiplying. And the there's that spoiler, which puts the 911 Turbo's whale tail to shame.

Lexus LFA

When I first laid eyes on the LFA, my fug alarms went wild. I thought I would give it a little time - it's utter weirdness might grow on me. Which it has to some degree...

But the front end - especially the headlights - I can't bring myself to like. Their strange undulating surface and upraised edges give it a slightly weird look when not viewed head on. Especially in front 3/4, where the car seems to be giving me that quizzical, raised eyebrow look.

Pedoyota

I find this car kind of frightening. You know what they say about taking candy from strangers? They should also teach children to stay away from pink Toyota Soarers with scissor doors and pimpin' gold rims that have candy logos slathered over the sides (for those who don't know, Saftbaren is a Dutch candy maker).

Lexus IS-C

It seems every car maker out there who wants to introduce a convertible feels the urge to make it a folding hardtop. Which is all well and good, given that it acts like a coupe when you want it to. Unfortunately that's a lot more junk to stuff in the trunk, and sometimes that can result in peculiar proportions (like the Sebring convertible's acres of trunk) or the strange muffintop look the Lexus IS-C has when it's roof is up. The roof ends up looking to small, sitting atop the lumpy trunk.

The car featured here is a bit bittersweet to me - the IS-C F-Sport package. I find the black paint, charcoal rims and blue brake calipers absolutely beautiful, but roof treatment kills it for me. Sadly, this combo is only available on the IS-C. If it were available on the sedan, it'd get two thumbs up.

Attack of the Clones: Hyundai Genesis

Hyundai's first foray into the realm of near-luxury has been a relative success, achieving accolades and sales. But it hasn't exactly done so with a daring new design. Like the last generation Sonata, it's more of an attractive conglomerate than anything original. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing.



I mean, what's the fault in making your car look kinda like the Lexus LS - the Genesis's "I can make a world class luxury car too" spiritual predecessor - but actually looks better? I suppose the similarity falls mostly in the appearance of the headlights and the shape of the grille.



Had the Genesis come over with it's Korean spec grille consisting of narrow, horizontal chrome bars the look would be even more similar. Speaking of that grille - it's one of the Genesis's worst features. Sure it's unique, but it doesn't look very classy. More like a chrome interpretation of a Klingon forehead. Or maybe the guided ribcage of some poor animal.


The rear end and greenhouse look in my eyes like a Japanese take on the BMW 5-Series. When looking at the rear ends of the LS, 5-Series and Infiniti M, you can see slight resemblances to all of them. Which might say more to the slightly bland appearances of all modern cars than it Hyundai's lack of originality.

Not what I would call Progrès

Apparently in Japan, they prefer to make about 15 version of the same basic car. Honda and Toyota especially seem to do this, or at least did in the 90's. Some of these cars are quite fugly, as if they ran out of ways to rehash the same basic car.

The car you see here is the Toyota Progrès, which debuted before the Toyota Altezza / Lexus IS, darling of the ricer set and the origins of many hideous aftermarket taillights. Those taillights, it seems, were inspired by the headlights on the Progrès' gaudy mug.

Lexus IS-F Failpipes

I haven't decided yet whether I deem the Lexus IS-F ugly. Weird, yes. But I guess it looks kind of muscular, in an organic type of way.



The tailpipes are another matter though. They look excessive in all their stacked glory. And to make matters worse they look like some kind of cheap ricey accessory, like something you might see at SEMA. And they look fake. The kicker?



They ARE fake. Sad, really.

Fugly Rim Patrol

Might as well hit a few at once. Fugly rims are popping up everywhere - especially with the current bling trend of wheels that looks like people cut holes in bent tin pie plates. Basically all of those fit in this category, so there are too many to post. Therefore I’ll stick to the non-chromed wheels.

First up: the Daisy rim. I’m not sure who made it, but they should be shot. What other car out there could wear this rim other than the hippie reincarnate that is the New Beetle (the rims arrived shortly after the car appeared in showrooms)? Also - what company approved an aftermarket rim that was basically made for one car model?

Next is the Lexus SC430 rim, talked about breifly in another post of mine, and which has finally been replaced after years as serving as the only rim available on the SC. I think this rim has to be the worst car to rim pairing from a manufacturer in a long time.


Finally, the worst of the worst - the Ronal Teddy Bear rim. I have no idea what moron thought that up, or who would buy it. Plus - wouldn’t it have horrible balancing issues?

Attack of the Clones, Pt. 7

Lexus SC430 vs. Hyundai Sonata.

Again, I don't know if I would really qualify either as "fugly". Unique then. Lexus could have definetly done better. We're still awaiting a facelift - Hyundai got theirs. Twice.

Tri-Wing Fug

A couple examples of extreme tri-spoilers. The LS has a stacked effect, while the Q45 has a sorta "spoiler-within-a-spoiler" on top of a ducktail type spoiler.

LS, Pt. 1

This widboby LS wouldn't look to bad, but unfortunetly has a unique form of cancer in which multiple lights sprout and grow like tumours.