Style Theft - The Taillights on the new accord put me over the edge...

Okay. We all have seen the pictures of new cars being photographed wrapped in butcher paper so no one will know what they look like before production. But seriously, it is getting a little obvious these days.

Look at the taillights on the Audi A4 which was redesigned 2 years ago..





Allright. Made a good study. Now look at the taillights on the new Honda Civic redesigned LAST year...





Is it just me or is this getting out of hand at Honda. Also, while we know the Japanese have very little sense of style that does not involve pagodas or neon, is this type of wholesale copying warranted.

Here's another one that has been bugging me for years...

The 1996-2003 Volvo C70 Coupe. First model year was 1996. Volvo not known (in earlier years) for its cutting edge design, nevertheless hired a California design team. Look closely...





Now, check out the Honda Accord Coupe from 2003...




This is a bad picture of it but I couldn't find a better one on short notice. The overall dimensions of the two cars are almost identical. The slope from the top to the trunk is almost identical. Also, while the taillights are more angular, they are pretty obviously inspired.

Now, prior to 1996 there were no cars that had that type of taillight white in a horizontal line between red.

Now, I also maintain that the Lexus SC 400 was actually a Porsche 928...

good thread, kinda interesting! (first car thread post)

AND, sadly. It is not limited to Honda.

Take another look at the 1996 Volvo C70 Coupe...





And now take a look at the 2005-06 Mercedes CLK ...






Mercedes has sunk to copying Volvo. Did Honda buy Mercedes when I wasn't looking. I need answers people

Honda will end up dominating the industry, they made hatchbacks famous. Google EK and see how many euro manufactures have built a car simillar to it. Nissan is coming up big next year, but I'm sure German makes are gonna bitch about it.

what's really interesting is the volvo looks like a ford sable sedan

And the new Volvo looks like a new BMW. Yeah, that how car industry goes nowadays.

Quote:

Originally posted by Ascaris

And the new Volvo looks like a new BMW. Yeah, that how car industry goes nowadays.

I think the new BMW's looks Japanese. I really likes the 5 and 3 series froma few years back. Now, not so much.

Keep in mind though, that many of these companies have merged together. Volvos and Fords will tend to have similaritie because Volvo is now a division of Ford. Chrylers are very influenced by partner Marcedes-Benz. Im not advocating stale styling at all...in fact I think it is a shame that there seems to be a lack of vision in many manufacturers nowadays

And they all have black tires..

Quote:

Originally posted by sickman

And they all have black tires..

i thought i was the only one who noticed...black tire stealing bastards!

impressive, you've done your home work

Interesting, I do see the similarities, but do I believe Honda sent spys to Audi and Volvo to steal the designs..No.

Its kinda like music when artists change a chord or note, there are only so many different notes before you are bound to have some similar sounding music riffs..

The Porsche 928 was a classic design, and I did like the Lexus SC as a great sports/luxury car as well, but they are quite different..No pop up oval headlamps on the Lexus, not evenm are they in the same place, and even though teh tail lenses are somewhat similar, they are both radicaaly different cars...Just my two cents

Quote:

Originally posted by Stone-Cold

Interesting, I do see the similarities, but do I believe Honda sent spys to Audi and Volvo to steal the designs..No.

Its kinda like music when artists change a chord or note, there are only so many different notes before you are bound to have some similar sounding music riffs..

The Porsche 928 was a classic design, and I did like the Lexus SC as a great sports/luxury car as well, but they are quite different..No pop up oval headlamps on the Lexus, not evenm are they in the same place, and even though teh tail lenses are somewhat similar, they are both radicaaly different cars...Just my two cents

I don't think that they are sending spies over there. There are one to two years difference in the production runs. I think that they just looks at what the european designers do and they copy the cars. There are a few other examples but I have to see them on the road to remember them.

I think that a good question would be, how many Japanese production cars are made that do not trace their design routes to a previous model european car. I say an old Maserati that looked exactly like an Acura NSX. Clearly a new version. If I find a pic, I'll post it.

to be more innovative just remove the steering wheels and rely on voice commands
"Right! Right! *Screeeech!* *Crash!* My other right you dumb piece of shit!!!"

@ Mr. Big...Dude ...you may be on to something!