Durango Redeux

Thought I would post this to lift Mopar fans spirits. Autoblog recently posted a review of the Durango, which featured a beautiful monochromatic black Durango with gunmetal rims. Absolutely sinister. Probs on the design, even if it looks a little Enclavey.

Photos copyright ©2010 Drew Phillips / AOL

Photoshop < Actual Photos

I know it seems like I'm ragging on Chrysler a lot, and part of me feels as if it's unfair. The companies been through hard times and is trying to restructure itself as best it can. But things like this bug me, due to their half-assed attempt.


The 2011 Jeep Compass, I have to say, is not fugly. The did a remarkable job of curing the fugly it once suffered from with little more than a new nose. Bravo!

However, did you really have to photoshop some of the first official images of the new car SUV? This is the publics first polished view of the car, and I'm sure those not graphically aware will think there's something slightly odd about those monochromatic reflections and flat looking colour. The cincher? Whoever did it painted right over the three holes below the 7 slot grille.


One has to ask - couldn't they just take pics of the Compass painted the right colour? Or at least keep it the colour it used to be. Or, you know, hire someone to photoshop it correctly. And as a graphic artist it pains me to say I'd rather see it one of the two previous options - however talented you are, things look most real when they're actually real. For me it taints their image when it wouldn't cost much more to do things right for a vehicles launch (or at least plan in advance and making and bring a red Compass with you).

*EDIT - looks like there's a whole series of them, some work better than others. I'm guessing they only had a grey Compass at the time of shooting. Below you can see a similar situation with the 3 slots, and this time the Compass badge of the door has a blue tint, like it wasn't cropped out. I admit convincing colour changes like this are difficult, but those areas look a bit sloppy.

Vital Evolution 7

It sounds like a bad straight to VHS movie, but Vital Evolution 7 is actually a highly customized Mitsubishi GTO/3000GT. With a paint job that looks like an experimental safety car from the 70's, it's isn't exactly stealthy. Also, I doubt covering the rear window in plastic aids rearward visibility. Or is legal for that matter. At least you don't have to worry about the giant wing blocking your vision in the rear view mirror.

Reverse Nephrectomy

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

The Fuglies

In January I'm going to roll out "The Fuglies", my awards (well, photoshoped images of awards) for the cars that have generated the most traffic to my site in the past year*. The top three will receive gold, silver and bronze (with the top 10 receiving honourable mentions). The top three received much more traffic than I thought they would, separating themselves from the rest by such a degree that I could have named them months ago. You'll see who they are in a couple weeks.

* I realize that I only returned to blogging again in late January of 2010, but I don't think it would have made any difference for the main offenders as their traffic outshines all the others. And when better to sum up the year than January?

Fenice Milano Strikes Again

A little late on the draw here, but Fenice Milano has decided to tackle a much less expensive car than it's last. But this gold plated Fiat 500 they call the Bianca is no less extravagant (or tacky). Hopefully we don't see these around when Fiat 500s start appearing at Chrysler showrooms next year.

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).

Asma Panamera takes your breath away

Asma - Asthma - get it?

Tuners of the Porsche Panamera have to tread very lightly in the styling department. The stock Panamera is already polarizing, so changes can have disastrous results.

The car you see here is the product of the Asma Design. Maybe the thought they could hide the car's awkward proportions by fitting as many "speed holes" as they could on the rear bumper. And then filling those holes with red LED lights.

Also, being in the market of modifying luxury cars, you would think they would have access to a better camera than the one on their cell phone.

Chevrolet Runs Deep

Chevrolet has coined a new slogan that almost gained as much ire on the interwebs as the notorious Chevy Volt Song:

Chevy Runs Deep


All I can think of when I hear that slogan is Ice Cube's song "It Was a Good Day" - and most people seem to have a similar sexually based connotation.

"And my Chevy runs deep,
so deep, put her ass to sleep."

Chevrolet still hopes you have long term amnesia

*NOTE: This is not a typical AutoFug post in that I don't think these cars are necessarily ugly (unless previously featured). Think of it more as an AutoRant.

So Chevrolet is about to introduce a new Aveo. Yet, they've decided that for North America they're going to rename it. The reasoning?

"The Sonic represents a new beginning for Chevrolet in the small car segment and so we felt it was time to give it a new name. The new car is roomy, stylish and fun to drive, and Sonic is a youthful, energetic name that helps convey what this vehicle is about."

In other words: "The Aveo was so craptacular that we decided to rename it, hoping that the old feelings of hatred will stay with the Aveo name." Sound familiar?


Yes, Chevrolet has been down this road before. Twice actually. The first time it was the Cavalier, with the Cobalt being so groundbreaking that it deserved a rebranding. Yes it was a new car, but it proved itself to be hardly as revolutionary as GM hyped it as being. Sure, the SS will go down in the annals of automotive history as being a pretty solid cheap sports car, but the "cheap basic transportation" vibe through the rest of the lineup carried through, albeit in a better package. Regardless of how much better it was than the Cavalier, it also lacked the polish of it's Japanese competitors, still relegating it to the Cavalier's second tier status.


The second time this occurred was with the same car (in that it's a compact sedan for all you Chevrolet fanbois). Like history repeating, again the Cobalt is being rebranded as the groundbreaking Cruze. Again it's an entirely new car, but this time it's an entirely new concept: instead of going for the lowest common denominator (low price and subsequent lower than average quality teamed with above average American power), the Cruze is a bit more expensive (and better built) and a bit lower powered than some of it's competition. Only time will tell if it's received by the public as "just another Cavalier".

Basically, I find it a bit lame to rename a car in hopes that people will forget the old one. For one it's basically implying that we're all stupid. And secondly, why not just make a quality car in the first place - one that people will actually want to buy and won't receive a tarnished reputation that you hope to erase from the public's memory? And I doubt this helps brand recognition either. I would think you would want people to remember the names of their cars, and hopefully remember them fondly.

In the case of the "Sonic", it looks pretty much exactly like a newer Aveo should. If it looks like a duck and sounds like a duck, it's probably a duck.