Why are French cars so ugly

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Skython

Skython

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Skython11
French cars used to look good, like the Renault Alpine, the Peugeot 205 Group B, but then they got ugly, Renault and Peugeot especially, Renault Megane, Escpace, Avantime, Peugeot 308, Peugeot 407, hideous.

And I was wondering what you guys think about French styling, so, is it good or bad???
 
I could do without the entire Peugeot range looking like a bunch of humpback whales, but I actually think most Citreon's look nicer today than they did 10-15 years ago (Xantia notwithstanding).
Renaults are kind of a case-by-case basis.
 
I tend to think that most all new cars are ugly, regardless of national origin.

There are exeptions of course, but most modern designs look unappealing to me.
 
Heldenzeit
I tend to think that most all new cars are ugly, regardless of national origin.

There are exeptions of course, but most modern designs look unappealing to me.
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+2.

Almost everything modern looks the same...

French cars only somewhat avoid it by being ugly to the point of being different... And therefore somewhat appealing.
 
Heldenzeit
I tend to think that most all new cars are ugly, regardless of national origin.

There are exeptions of course, but most modern designs look unappealing to me.
Click to expand...

+3

There are very few companies that actually make better looking cars now than they did before.
At least as far as cars go that can be afforded by the general public.
 
The new DS3 is so ugly! Yes, most new cars look the same, nowaday's it's either a dumb looking grin like a Mazda 3 or Peugeot 206, or a gaping mouth like a Nissan GT-R, Mitsubishi Lancer Evo XI, even the new Audi Quattro concept... Many new cars also have a huge belt line. Why can't cars look light and athletic? Why do they all have to look porky and brawny?
 
sanmusa
Many new cars also have a huge belt line. Why can't cars look light and athletic? Why do they all have to look porky and brawny?
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Agreed. Seems like a lot of manufacturers want to produce tanks instead of cars :lol:
And given the weight, they're getting closer and closer.
 
sanmusa
Why do they all have to look porky and brawny?
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Part of that is due to legislation. There must be a gap of 7cm (IIRC) between the bonnet/hood and the hard top of the engine. This is to help a pedestrian by giving them a "crumple zone" in the event of a collision. The easiest way to do that is to have a high bonnet/hood.
 
I quite like the DS3, and the Clio Sport is OK, but for the most part French cars are pretty awful styling wise.

A shame, as the French do have a good history of designing interesting cars.
 
Luminis
+3

There are very few companies that actually make better looking cars now than they did before.
At least as far as cars go that can be afforded by the general public.
Click to expand...

+4
i only like the new Mercedes W204 amg most new cars dont look really nice these days.
 
I'd say that pretty much across the board, the French do a good job of making a boring car (at the very least) look interesting. Unfortunately, no one else does that, especially with the offerings that we have in America. Nevertheless, the French created this, so I'm less likely to call their vehicles ugly:

1959-citroen-ds-lg.jpg


For whatever reason, Citroens always look amazing to me.
 
The Laguna Coupe would like a word with you:

renault-laguna-1.jpg


I agree with Toronado. Peugeots are currently awful, Citroens have improved in the last five years or so and Renaults can be hit and miss. The Laguna Coupe above is probably the best looking car to come out of France since Daan's old 406 Coupe, and I also rather like the Citroen C6 which has a sense of elegance that few other marques will never quite understand - it's a true successor to the old Citroens DS, GS and SM.

I quite liked the "big bum" Megane, and it's still a design that looks modern today. Likewise the Avantime which has some great details.

I like that the OP used the Group B 205 as an example of a French car that looked good. I'd put forward that like most other Group B cars it's stylistically pretty hideous - it's "beauty" is very much a) in the eye of the beholder and b) more an aggression than anything actually aesthetic.

As for modern cars generally looking worse, it just depends what you consider "worse". There are some fantastic designs around right now and that companies are still managing it despite safety legislation and other requirements is something to be commended.

I'd certainly tend to say that modern cars are a lot better looking than their 80s or 90s counterparts. The "retro" boom has a lot to answer for: there's a hell of a lot of vehicles that were considered incredibly bland back in the 80s that people seem to think are cool now. Just about everything made in Japan between 1980 and 1990 for a start. If anything, cars today look less similar to each other than they have for decades.

Unless you live in the States, or work at an Audi dealership.
 
I've got over Peugeot's goofy grin, what irritates me is when they make a car as frumpy looking as the 308:

peugeot-308-3-large.jpg


I mean what is that?
 
I for myself think that citroen is one of the best looking budget cars in the european market. Maybe not the best but they are certainly not the worst too either - my vote would have to go to Fiat
DS3 - C4 - C5 - Citroen GT
 
Heldenzeit
I tend to think that most all new cars are ugly, regardless of national origin.

There are exeptions of course, but most modern designs look unappealing to me.
Click to expand...

Yeah, this. Some of the new hot Renaults look okay. You can't say all french cars are ugly considering some of the classics they've made in the past. The Citroen DS alone renders any argument against them void.

Strangely, I used to find the DS exceptionally ugly... when I was a teenager, and thought riced-up CRX's were cool.
 
I can't help but not find a really ugly French car. If Peugeot-Citoren would offer cars here in the Etats-Unis*, I'd spring for it. They've made some wicked designs and I love them for it. Sorry, but the fanboy just entered the room. :D I love Citroen the most, though.

*United States
 
I really like the old Peugeot 406 coupe. It had nice smooth, simple lines. The 407 was ok, but it had that gaping catfish grille.
 
GT_Prologue5
I can't help but not find a really ugly French car. If Peugeot-Citoren would offer cars here in the Etats-Unis*, I'd spring for it. They've made some wicked designs and I love them for it. Sorry, but the fanboy just entered the room. :D I love Citroen the most, though.

*United States
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dude, they did. Peugeot was the last non-german/non-high end maufacturer to pull out of the US back in 91. they sent us big 405 and 505 wagons! i even found one of the last US Peugeot ads.


and some of us LIKE the Pugs!
 
actually, some people would call that ugly. reminds me of an Avantime that shrank in the wash, and then got a Nissan nose slapped on it :P
 
Sniffs
actually, some people would call that ugly. reminds me of an Avantime that shrank in the wash, and then got a Nissan nose slapped on it :P
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I would, for one. Not a fan of the DS3, it's a slightly odd mix of bulbous lines, odd details and uncomfortable proportions. Citroen's upcoming DS4 is much more of a looker.

I wouldn't say it looks like the Avantime either though, but then I think the Avantime is a fantastic bit of design.
 
They make up for it with the sound (starts at 2:20):D


That being said, 80% of new cars have wild proportions and lines, no matter what nationality.
 
Personally I think at the moment renault have some cracking looking cars, I quite like the C6 citroen too. However, the smaller offerings aren't too nice to look at though, and the peugeot bipper/nemo/fiorino and peugeot boxer/relay/ducato vans are the ugliest things I have ever seen, I swear even the graham sharknose is prettier than them.
 
I think the problem here is that 'ugly' doesn't necessarily mean something looks 'bad'. Take the DS3 - it's not beautiful, but at least it's interesting to look at. Same case with the old C4 3dr - it's not beautiful in the way that the Laguna Coupe is, but it's a head turning bit of design. And even Peugeot's 508 comes under the same category, I'd say. The rest of their lineup can go to hell, of course.
 

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