Aston Martin V12 Zagato

I don't think the Aston Martin V12 Zagato is fugly, or even ugly.  But it does look a bit chubby for an Aston - less sleek and more bulbous.  I suppose it's kind of attractive the way a plus size model is, when compared to non-plus size models.

But the most unsettling thing about the design is how similar it looks to a Nissan GTR in the side view.  Sure, the rearmost angle of the side windows goes the opposite direction, but the air intake and blacked out "helmet visor" appearance of the A-pillar bear more than a passing resemblance.

Supra Fugly

I apologize for the horrible quality, but this was snagged from the road.  Basically a late '80's Toyota Supra, modified to include a body kit with a gigantic Toyota emblem grille and - confusingly - Nissan 350Z headlights.  I had to do a double take just to understand what I was looking it.  You would think that with the number of people that graft Toyota Celica headlights onto their abominations, that that would be the go-to headlight for ruining a Toyota.  Especially if you're faithful enough to the brand to turn the entire front end of the car into a giant Toyota logo.

Aftermarket Juke

Japanese Nissan tuner Impul had tried it's hand at the Juke, and in the process actually made it look worse... A silver ground effects kit clashes with the black along the lower body of the Juke, negating the effect it had of visually reducing the height of the body. Up front to spoiler only exaggerates the odd stock 3 hole air intakes, which look as if they were made for launching torpedoes. The look is topped off with a gigantic rally-type spoiler that a WRX would envy, and - of all things - window visors (which need their own dedicated autofug posting).

'49 Ford Fairlady DAMnation

Found this research DAMD, but unfortunately I can't find any more pics. Looks like a 300ZX/Fairlady morphing into a '49 Ford, and I think it's safe to say this actually looks WORSE than previous attempts.

To Infiniti and Beyond...

Yeah - I may have used that tag line before. But these guys aren't above recycling, so why can't I be? The ironically named Japanese maker of bodykits knowns of DAMD, make the kits you see here. Turn your Infini G35 / Nissan Skyline / Nissan 350Z / Nissan Fairlady into a convincing Aston Martin ripoff from the headlights forward! Possibly a link to James Bond in here, as he's also molested many fair ladies.

To Infiniti and Beyond

This is one Pathfinder whose path should never have been found.

Bedazzling

While it might appear to be just an ugly paint job, the devil is in the details. First, note that it seems some one took a Bedazzler to all the shut lines. Also note that the hood pins are chained to the front bumper. I'm not sure that's good for the paint finish.

Also, if you think those rims look oddly familair - they're taken from an SRT8 300C.

2010 Fuglies

Here they are – the first annual Fuglies: a recap of the last year of who gained the most traffic on my blog. “Congratulations” to the losers winners.

Gold Nissan Juke

The gold winner this year is the Nissan Juke, which blew away all other contenders. Nissan Juke pageviews accounted for a whopping 7.2% of the total pageviews for the site, and it also garnered the most traffic via internet searchs, with related keywords accounting for 18.7% of incoming traffic. Easily one of the most controversial new car releases of the year, apparently the little “SUV” actually drives quite nice. A shame that it’s wrapped in metal not everyone can enjoy.

Silver Mohs Ostentatienne Opera Sedan

The Mohs Opera Sedan (I give up trying to type Ostentatienne any more) deservedly gains the second place spot, with 3.2% of all pageviews for the year. I was a bit surprised by this as it’s a relatively obscure car, but it’s been made more well known recently when some high school students restored one in an auto body class in 2009.

Bronze Mitsuoka Galue

Trailing the Opera Sedan slightly with 3.1% of total pageviews, the Mitsuoka Galue takes bronze. Mitsuoka is gaining popularity on the internet due to it’s bizarre creations, so this one was no surprise. Also worth noting is that it received the second most hits via the internet search, with related keywords accounting for 10.6% of traffic.

Other worthy contenders worthy mentioning are listed below

Here’s the top 10 for pageviews:

1. Nissan Juke – 7.2%
2. Mohs Ostentatienne Opera Sedan – 3.2%
3. Mitsuoka Galue – 3.1%
4. Ferrari 456 Venice Convertible – 1.9%
5. Donfeng h30 – 1.6% (*this is most likely a statistical abnormality – most of the pageviews were from people looking for rear-view pictures of the Hyundai Elantra Touring, which must be rear on the internet).
6. Easy Rods Thunderbird – 0.8%
7. Lamborghini Coatl – 0.75%
8. Sbarro Windhawk - 0.7%
9. Mohs SafariKar – 0.5%
10. Fenice Milano Rolls Royce – 0.4%

Here’s the top 5 for keyword search results:

1. Nissan Juke – 18.7%
2. Mitsuoka Galue – 10.6%
3. Sbarro Windhawk – 2.6%
4. Mohs Ostentatienne Opera Sedan – 2.1%
5. Lamborghini Coatl – 1.1%

The Altimate Predator

A.) Elaborate themed paint job - especially non-automotive themes like this one based on the Predator franchise - pretty much guarantee fugliness.

B.) How the hell is that guy driving?? Is he 4 feet tall or is his seat completely reclined?

Fug with the Animals

The new-for-2002 Nissan Murano and Infiniti FX were - and still are in my eyes - high points in SUV design. Sleek and angular, the both look better than their replacements.

2002 - Sleek

2009 - Shriek

While still mostly attractive, both SUVs have grown more curvy and organic, in the process lost the creased wedginess that made them unique.

2002 - Understated

2009 - Overwrought

The largest offense however, are front and centre. The clean, simple face of the Murano has become an overwrought, Gigeresque metallic spider/lamprey hybrid.



Meanwhile the sculpted face of the Infiniti has gained a grimace and beady headlights that Infiniti calls the look of a "Bionic Cheetah". Remind me more of an angry warthog without it's tusks...

Bionic Cheetah, or Angry Warthog?

Nissan Maxima: The Fugly is in the Details

Prior to the millenium, the Nissan Maxima was a mid-size sedan known for it's sporting intentions but not it's stunning looks.


For 2000, Nissan attempted to change that. However, what was previously a slightly boring looking and anonymous everycar instead became an awkwardly proportioned everycar. And what's up with the rear end? It looks as if during the clay model stages someone kiboshed the rear end design by slicing it off with a clever, and attaching the rear end design from another car two sizes too small.


For 2004, the car grew in size but gained an attractive new wedge-like shape. But there was still something strange about the rear end.


What exactly are these small pieces of body panel between the tail lights and the trunk? They've always bugged me, as the mess up the body lines. Are they to make rear end repairs more expensive? Why not just have the tail lights meet the bumper cut line?


Nissan again reworked the Maxima for 2009, this time restoring some of the sporty flavour lost with the Maxima grew in 2004. It's a taut and muscular design (although some might argue it's a bit too curvy to the point of looking overweight) that gains more than a few details from the 370Z. Including another strange detail - the L-shaped headlights. Although I've grown to them over the past couple years (I don't think I would personally classify them as fugly after seeing them a few times), they're still a very polarizing design detail.

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.

2010 Paris Motor Show, Day 1: Nissan Townpod

I’m amazed. Day one of the 2010 Paris Motor Show is surprisingly restrained and fugly free. The French have been remarkably toned down this year, with concept cars that pale in comparison to previous years. Although some would claim that the Lamborgini Sesto Elemento Concept should take home the title of “Ugliest Car in Paris, Day 1”, I’m giving this designation to the Nissan Townpod Concept.

Looking like a cross between a Scion, Lightning McQueen, and a refrigerator, the hefty-looking white EV is described by Nissan as the following: “The innovative position of the headlights also allows a coupe-esque bonnet line, not dissimilar to Nissan Z, which feeds in to a visor-like wraparound, blue tinted glass house, reminiscent of Nissan Cube, while the galls to body proportions hark back to the rat-rods of the fifties.” Yeah, I don’t get that either. Bonus point for a the organic fluorescent yellow-green front passenger area, which I imagine feels like driving the car sitting inside an infected sinus cavity.

*PS: I'm not limiting my show coverage to one car per day. I just didn't happen to think there was anything else worth posting. I actually like the controversial Sexto Elemento (although I admit it's trying a bit too hard)...

Split Personality

Want to make your Murano look like the result of the drunken union of a Mazda CX9 and a Porsche Cayenne Turbo? Then this is the kit for you.

If the Fast and the Furious franchise has taught us anything, it's that Supra tail lights look good on any car (or truck).

Micra C + C = Maxima Booty

Like many folding hardtop convertibles, the Nissan Micra suffers from awkward proportions when it's roof isn't stowed. Unfortunately, it's much more exaggerated on such a small car. The car has the same stepped appearance to the rear end as the Ferrari California and Lexus IS-C, but the rear end looks huge compared to those cars.

Continental Kit

You can only see a portion of the front, but this appears to be one of those Japanese Neoclassic cars. Possibly of the home-made variety. Gets extra fug points for the fender fenders and cow hide interior.

Great Wall Motors Wingle

Given the history of cloning current cars, I'm unsure if the resemblance to a Nissan Frontier from the A-pillars back is a result of cloning or that this is a licensed copy. If it is a licensed copy, I highly doubt Nissan saw the styling of the front end before the made their decision. It kind of looks like the clay model hit a wall before marketing gave the green light on the design.

And what's with the name? It sounds like something preschoolers call male naughty bits. Doesn't sound very macho.

Not labeling this under "Attack of the Clones", as I think it's a case of paying for a license of a Nissan design rather than blatantly cloning it.

Nissan 350F

This is the second hideous Nissan that seems to have ties to a higher power - note what appears to be a Jesus fish on the rear bumper.

Standard glued on detailing is present, as is the ricey rear spoiler. A few notable details though that push this car to the extreme. One is the strange feelers protruding from the front bumper. Curb feelers perhaps? Second is the screwed on homemade side skirts and front air damn. Not sure what they're made of, but it almost looks like baseboard molding. The picture below show them in detail, and they do look like wood... That picture also showcases the pièce de résistance - two mismatched, screwed on fake side exhausts.

Attack of the Clones: Infiniti Camry?

Maybe it's just me, but I was behind a 2010 Infiniti M the other day and thought it was a 2010 Camry at first - I found the Camry's revised tails with the clear portion in the centre look a lot like those on the M, and the trunk lids both his a similar Bangle-butt thing going on....