A Genesis Coupe, a Yaris, and a Dacia walk into a bar…

The Baojun 630 is GM’s attempt at a low priced car for the Chinese (around $7000 in fact). The result is a strange “second world everycar” – somehow, just by looking at it, you can tell it’s a cheap car whose build quality is suspect. It’s awkward proportions suggest that it’s an older platform with fancy modern duds that recall several other current cars (not unlike the redressed Fiat platforms used well beyond their best before dates by manufacturers in several Eastern European countries). To be specific, it looks like a Toyota Yaris with the face of a Dacia Sandero grafted on. It even borrows the Hyundai Genesis Coupe's aggresive "Z" body detailing.

Buick Cutrate Cutlass

I had almost forgotten about one of the most forgettable cars of the 90's until I saw one watching TV last night. The 1997-1999 was one of the worst cases of badge engineering from GM in the 90's, with little differentiating it from the Malibu. Making things worse, it was also far worse to look at than the Chevy, with some brutally ugly taillights. It also stuck out like a sore thumb - at this point Olds had adopted sleek Aurora based styling. The Cutlass tried to fit in, but the Malibu wasn't exactly sleek and the car ended up looking more Chevy than Olds.

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.