Certainly a revolution is taking place in the auto world. Automakers around the world are moving away from internal combustion engine cars and moving towards either hybrid or all-electric vehicles. You have a lot to do to catch up with the current kings at Tesla, but they’re all moving as fast as possible to make it work. Something that may have been a point of contention among many is the styling of these new electric cars that are entering the market.
If we look at the vast majority of electric cars, their design is little different from that of conventional internal combustion engine cars. And that’s a real shame. An electric vehicle doesn’t need the same grille or general design language as a normal car, so many manufacturers miss the opportunity to make cars their best. This is especially true when we look at the terrible creations of Mercedes and BMW. But some auto companies have indeed shown that you can make a nice looking electric car, and with some pretty awesome retro styling. We need more of that on the road and also smaller electric vehicles. Here’s why.
The best designs currently on offer
about BuyaCar
This is a great starting point to check out the best electric vehicles currently on the market that will take up this styling kit. The two best currently on offer are undoubtedly the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and the Honda e. The Honda e is certainly the leader in its class when it comes to styling. Outwardly, it looks a lot like the very first Honda Civics. And it’s extremely gratifying, as is the fact that this is a really small car compared to so many other electric vehicles. Honda didn’t just take a Civic and put in a battery. This is a completely new design. Even the interior is amazing, again with a retro feel, comfy seats and a multitude of screens.
via The Independent
Hyundai’s Ioniq 5 is an entirely different matter. It’s much bigger and has a lot more range than the Honda, which unfortunately leaves the Honda in the lurch. Like Honda, Hyundai removed the grille from its new EV as the electrical components only require a smaller cooling duct at the lower end of the front apron. The same cannot be said of the really terrible looking koda Enyaq. The design of the Ioniq 5 is, as Hyundai itself says, refreshing. It’s very retro-modern, with some pointy edges and some smooth edges that look a bit like something from the 1980s. It’s minimal, subtle, and just that good.
Why aren’t more manufacturers pursuing retro?
via Auto Express
Designing an electric vehicle to look retro is not something manufacturers have to do. They can design any car they want. But we have to ask, why don’t more of them take this path. Take a look at the new BMW iX. It has a terrible grille, it’s utterly massive, and it looks like a regular chunk of an SUV. Little imagination went into this design, and that is sometimes the crux of the problem. The automakers seem to lack imagination.
via Wired
Even the kings at Tesla, who know how to build a fast electric car with a high level of comfort and a large battery, are to blame for this. The Tesla Model X is way too big, and every other Tesla right down to the Cybertruck looks on like any other car you can buy in the market. There is nothing creative or otherwise about their designs. The only plus point is that Tesla eliminated the grille, which the big manufacturers just have to follow. These points may sound trivial, but an electric car is an opportunity for a company to start over on a completely blank sheet of paper, and many just don’t take advantage of that opportunity.
Reducing the size of cars
about Opel
We also have to look at the size of the new cars. What makes the Honda e so particularly refreshing is that while larger than the first Civic, it is a much smaller vehicle than most of the other cars on the road while also sporting that fantastic retro look. Cars are too big now. That’s a fact. The size of SUVs is just a joke and completely unnecessary. The Honda e needs more range, yes, but isn’t it great to see a brand new EV with such cute and small proportions? And there is still enough space for four people to sit comfortably in it. Opel’s Manta GSe ElektroMOD concept is yet another example of how an electric vehicle can be made with much better proportions than anything else on the market today. Plus, it really stands out from the crowd.
More retro designs? Yes, please!
about car and driver
Okay, so not every new EV has to be retro. The Kia EV6 isn’t, and this is a great looking car. But there’s no doubt that cars like the Honda e, Ioniq 5, and Manta ElektroMOD really stand out and attract you. You will notice them on the street. And the Honda e in particular shows that an electric vehicle doesn’t need a disgustingly large iX-style SUV. You just don’t do it. This electric revolution is a chance to break away from the boring and boring world of style that seems to plague almost all modern cars and to reshape the future of automotive design. Let’s hope manufacturers learn and seize this opportunity with both hands.
Sources: Motor Trend, BuyaCar, The Independent, Auto Express, Wired, Opel, Car And Driver
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About the author
Henry Kelsall
(Articles published in 1815)
Everything from JDM cars to classic jets is covered. Contributor to HotCars since Fall 2018. Writes features, news and list articles.
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