Car Designers given a letter grade, by Car and Driver Options

[DB9]

Not super in-depth, but interesting nonetheless.

http://www.caranddriver.com/features/10q3/..._graded-feature

I don't think I would've given GM an "A", but you just gotta smile at the fact that Toyota/Lexus got the only "D".

[Razor]

A- for GM is ridiculous.

Saab doesn't deserve a B+, they're FAR too boring.

B- for Porsche is far too harsh considering they gave BMW a B+, but then again what do you expect from C&D? The BMW dick is permanently grafted into the C&D editor's mouth.

Kia and Hyundai I agree with.

Chrylser deserves more like a C, also, while Ford deserves a B+ or higher.

[clarkma5]

Car and Driver love GM. I don't think an A- is entirely too crazy, though, they have a lot of nice looking cars coming out. I think the B+ for BMW is a little over the top though. Also, the A- for Ferrari...frankly, I'd give them about a C right now for design.

Porsche I would give a B+, Subaru I would give a C-...otherwise the list looks OK to me.

[dukenukem]

I would rate Ford way better than just a B. I would infact have given Ford and GM both A-.

[SwissWhiskey]

Everyone interprets everything differently, for evidence look no further than the posts above. To be honest an Italian or French magazine should done this because the US has never had an idea what design or style is. (with a few exceptions...)

BMW deserves a C+ at the max. Ferrari too. GM should get a C+ or B- just for making an effort, but they still look like they are made out of plastic. Volks and Audi love making every car look the same. They lost their balls after the Scirocco...

[MustangAficionad...]

Ford has the same grade as Chrysler, do they proof read these things?

[dukenukem]

Ford has the same grade as Chrysler, do they proof rear these things?

Apparently not.

[MustangAficionad...]

Apparently not.

Lolz

[Cyclone]

I think that any car company that is still around because of a government financial bailout should be automatically given an F.

[moe]

Chrysler deserves less than a B. Sure everything they're doing now is a step-up and pretty decent, but hardly inspired. I suspect Ford's grade was dragged down by Lincoln, which I really can't argue with. GM doesn't deserve an A- either, should've been more like a B. Porsche needs a lower grade than a B-, and I'd probably give Mazda a B+ or an A-. Other than that it's all good.

[nismo]

I think that any car company that is still around because of a government financial bailout should be automatically given an F.

[shandyman5]

Chrysler deserves less than a B. Sure everything they're doing now is a step-up and pretty decent, but hardly inspired. I suspect Ford's grade was dragged down by Lincoln, which I really can't argue with. GM doesn't deserve an A- either, should've been more like a B. Porsche needs a lower grade than a B-, and I'd probably give Mazda a B+ or an A-. Other than that it's all good.

With the exception of the Panamera which is an "eh" designed car looks wise. I think Porsche deserves a B+ or higher.

[clarkma5]

I'm gonna be one of those who defends the Panamera, I think it's a cool and unique looking vehicle. They do look rather large in person, but you have to remember it's basically a full-sized sedan/hatch.

I understand why people may not like it, but just keep in mind that dissent is hardly unanimous regarding that car.

[DB9]

I don't think Porsche deserves anything above a B. All their designs are essentially the same form-factor, just made into an SUV, sedan, coupe, etc. I have no problem with their design, just the fact that they have really only had 1 main design for years.

I think they could totally go a little more "radical" with the Panamera, especially since many dislike how it looks now. They could try and implement something new and original for a change.

[clarkma5]

They could try and implement something new and original for a change.

Show me another car anywhere on the market that looks like a Panamera, please.

[shandyman5]

I'm gonna be one of those who defends the Panamera, I think it's a cool and unique looking vehicle. They do look rather large in person, but you have to remember it's basically a full-sized sedan/hatch.

I understand why people may not like it, but just keep in mind that dissent is hardly unanimous regarding that car.

Agreed, while I myself like the Panamera and find it to be one hell of a sedan in both "turbo" and "s" form. Many people do not agree with you and me on the looks factor. It is a cool car backed by one hell of a lineup. The new Cayenne looks so SEXAY as well.

Show me another car anywhere on the market that looks like a Panamera, please.

There isn't one.

[DB9]

Show me another car anywhere on the market that looks like a Panamera, please.

Their whole lineup. The only thing thats different about the panamera is that it has 4 doors and a hunchback. Even the hunchback isn't that unique anymore because of the 911 speedster.

I never said that porsche's designs looked like something from another car company, just that every model looks the same.

[clarkma5]

Says the guy whose username is "DB9"...Aston Martin produces car after car that are near indistiguishable and people eat it up.

I don't think a Panamera looks much like a 911. One is a fastback 2+2 sports coupe and the other is a large luxury grand touring shooting brake. I can tell a Panamera instantly from any other car in the Porsche lineup, or any car in the world...I have to say I have to double or, sometimes, triple-take to tell a V8 Vantage from a DB9, or a DB7 from a DB9, in most cases.

The hypocrisy is ridiculous. If you think it's ugly, fine, but give me a break on the "it looks like every other Porsche" bullcrap. It is a fundamentally different shape, size, and proportion; if you have trouble telling apart a Panamera from anything in their lineup, you're blind.

[moe]

Says the guy whose username is "DB9"...Aston Martin produces car after car that are near indistiguishable and people eat it up.

I don't think a Panamera looks much like a 911. One is a fastback 2+2 sports coupe and the other is a large luxury grand touring shooting brake. I can tell a Panamera instantly from any other car in the Porsche lineup, or any car in the world...I have to say I have to double or, sometimes, triple-take to tell a V8 Vantage from a DB9, or a DB7 from a DB9, in most cases.

The hypocrisy is ridiculous. If you think it's ugly, fine, but give me a break on the "it looks like every other Porsche" bullcrap. It is a fundamentally different shape, size, and proportion; if you have trouble telling apart a Panamera from anything in their lineup, you're blind.

Hahahaha, never thought I'd see the day. Clarkma, your fanboy is showing.

I'm not a big fan of the Panamera (although I admit, I was in the earlier days), but in the right color, with the right rims it's very attractive...in the way that plus sized models are.

[clarkma5]

Can anyone here honestly say they can't tell a Panamera from a 911 at a glance? That's my only question. Hate it if you want, but I'm tired of this "all porsches look the same" crap. They're no more guilty of that than most manufacturers, including their direct rivals.