First Look: Ford Fiesta

Finally, just like the Ford Mondeo, the for Fiesta has arrived to Kuantan. If I'm not mistaken, the Fiesta was launched in Kuantan last Wednesday as it was unloaded from the truck and displayed in the showroom. Knowing this, I decided to come back home to Kuatan to see it for myself.

I've been eying the Fiesta for so long through pictures and snapshots on the internet, and to me, this Fiesta is a real beauty queen in class. When compared to the Jazz and the Yaris, or even the Myvi, the Ford definitely stands out. See for yourself.

 

However, this was the first time I saw the Fiesta right in front of my eyes, and believe it or not, I was nervous. In Kuantan, the Ford dealer has been relocated. Before this, they we in the same line of stores with the Hyundai and the Honda showroom. Apparently Ford hasn't been selling lately, therefore could not afford to stay there and move to a much smaller showroom.

Anyway, when I was driving to the Ford showroom, I stopped at the big crossroad where the BMW Bavaria dealer is located. As I was waiting, I could see a small red spec in the distance, and I thought, that has to be the Fiesta. Which is amazing since I wasn't wearing my glasses.

So when I got there, the first Fiesta I saw was a blacan red hatchback Fiesta parked right outside the dealer. It was a stunning sight. The Ford Fiesta was definitely better looking in real-life and a lot of its features were distinguishing. The Kinetic Design curves really show and immediately is separated itself from its competitors. The Fiesta did not have an awkward look to it at all. It was sheer perfection from the outside.

However, there were a few things that turned me off a bit. The interior where the driver will spend most his time with the car in. The first thing that I noticed was the dashboard. Apparently for has decided to use a different material for the dashboard by using what seemed like a much cheaper plastic. This gave the dashboard a hard-touch feel to it and that really disappointed me. Despite that, the dashboard was no "average Joe". The dashboard had spaceship look which made it stick out among others in its class. The steering was leather and had a nice leather stitching that made me keep rubbing my hands on the wheel. Almost everything was plastic, but what car is this class wasn't.

When I looked at the door from the interior, it seemed a bit boring. It was all black, even the handle was lost in it. The whole door trim was plastic, but not what you'd expect in a Viva or Myvi. The door was definitely solid and has the same feeling that the Focus or the Mondeo has when it shuts.

Now, I'm quite a small guy, but the low roof line was a bit too low even for me. Nevertheless, the interior was rather comfy when it  wasn't moving. I don't know how it would feel when it starts to move, but the seats are nicely cushioned and had a funky pattern on it.

*will continue later*

First Impressions : BMW 6 Series Concept

In the First Impressions segment, I will just skim the car's designs from the surface. There won't be any detailed comments.

This is the concept for the next gen. BMW 6 Series. For those who may not be familiar with the existing 6 Series, it's the one below.

 

The new 6 is an entirely new car and not a facelift. There are so many design ques from the 8 Series concept which was reveal much earlier and the new 5 Series. I've never been a fan of the current 6 Series. I didn't like the way the headlamps were designed. I love the 3 series coupe and the M3 though. The 3 Series had a more mean-boyish-aggressive look to it.

The 6 just lacked personality. It's only pretty because it bore the highly prestigious badge. For now, I'm getting the same vibe from the concept of the 6 Series.

Ford's Makeover for the Mondeo..

Just as we were about to appreciate the 2007 Ford Mondeo here in Malaysia, the UK will already be getting a newly facelifted Modeo.

Ford Modeo 2007

The New 2011 or 2010 Ford Mondeo

 

 

 

 

Concept Cars : Ford Start Concept

This is the new Ford Start Concept, which made its debut at the Beijing Motor Show 2010.

Beauty or Beast: 2011 Hyundai Elantra

Beauty or Beast is where I talk in more detail about the styling and the design of cars. This is my first time doing it, so it might be a bit sloppy. I've split this critique into 3 parts; (1) what makes it pretty?, (2) what makes it ugly?, (3) what does it remind me of?, and (4) some technical facts.

2011 Hyudai Elantra

1. What makes this car pretty?

Quite a lot. I've been staring at this picture for quite some time. I really think that this may be the most beautiful Hyundai I've ever looked at by far. To me, the most distinguishing feature in the styling of this car is all the curves.

This picture has obviously optimized all the lines on this car. According to the video in the precious post, this design concept is called "Fluidic Sculpture". So the lines on this car should have a fluid-like nature to it. The body styling is based on a coupe-saloon which explains the lower roof-line. The front wheel arches are swollen to make it look athletic, giving the impression that it can grip the road like a hungry tiger. The rising lines on the sides, from the front doors give the car a sense of in-motion, and the lines connect to the rear-wrapping taillights to highlight its curve. A very popular trend nowadays; a built-in skirting makes this car look executive. The headlamps are stretched to hood of the car above the wheel arches also supporting the in-motion look. I think bigger lights make cars look more modern. The face of the car has a serious and sharp expression, almost sinister with tricks up its sleeves. The nose of the car is extended forward further make it look like it's moving at high speeds. And if view from the side, I think the body of the car is one of the most pleasant figures to looks at. The way the car gradually rises to from the nose to the rood, then slides down to the rear almost the edge of the boot. The extended c-pillar makes the boot seem shorter and more compact.

Now on to the rear, if you've noticed, the rear lamps are using the long-LED style lights seen on BMWs. This give the car a more premium look on the dark. But even without the lights, the high boot or bonnet and it's solid and compact rear style is enough to make this car look expensive.

2. What makes this car ugly?

I can't think of any right now, except for the lines connecting the top-grill and the bottom-grill. I thing the car looks better without it.

3. What does it remind me of?

Of course it looks a lot like its big brother, the Hyundai Sonata released earlier this year. Many the design ques from the Sonata has been adapted onto the Elantra.

The front windshields looks like the Honda Civic's, while the front hood and the extended headlamps resembles the Ford Fiesta. The rear end of the Elantra reminds me of the rear end of Lexus GS.

The soon to be Elantra is one of the prettiest small-sized saloon I've looked at. I like it so much, I actually stared at it for quite some time. Not many cars get this much attention from me accept for Ford cars. Hyundai has always been one of the brands I often ignore, but not anymore. Which makes the 2011 Hyundai Elantra a BEAUTY.

Sneak Peak: 2011 Hyundai Elantra / Avante

For so long, I've always hated the way Hyundai cars looked. I also didn't like it because it's an under-performing, low-quality styled, and cheap looking car. It looked ugly in my eyes, but I think that's about to change. I've just watch a video on the new 2011 Hyundai Elantra/Avante. In Malaysia, it's call the Elantra. The current one is not that bad, better than the previous one. But this new one really caught my eye. It's a small sized sedan, the same segment as the Civic, Carolla, Focus, and Sylphy.

Here's a glimpse of the new Hyundai Elantra.

As you can see, this car is more curvy than the previous one. Much, much more. You see, lately, I think curves and bulges have been the secret to good looking cars for quite some time now. This is something that Hyundai has finally grasp.

You can see a lot of design ques from the latest Sonata which was recently released, I forgot when. There goes my credibility.

Overall, I believe the Koreans have found the right styling. The Kia Forte is a good looking car, even though I think it copied the Honda Civic, but a bit boxy. "Give the Koreans a chance man!"

Introduction

You know how guys stare at "hot" women who expose themselves too much? That's how I look at cars, only without getting turned on. I love looking at cars. For me, a car is art. Every car has its unique identity and I like distinguishing between the different styling. A car's design is like language. The Japanese design language is different from the American design language as well as the European design language. There's always an element in the styling that reflects the language design. Sometimes, it's just fun to appreciate how a car looks rather than emphasizing so much on the technical specifications. Art is subjective. That's what makes it fun.