http://blog.wired.com/cars/2008/02/giugiaro-builds.html

3/3/2008 9:34:15 AM

why?

That would be like having a rottweiler that barks and bites like a chihuahua.

3/3/2008 10:08:36 AM

That looks like something an 8 year old would draw and all his classmates would think it's totally badass.

3/3/2008 10:14:50 AM

Looks like it weighs 5000lbs.

Does it come with one of those jet engines from the cars in THX 1138?

3/3/2008 10:42:52 AM

Quote :

"why? That would be like having a rottweiler that barks and bites like a chihuahua."

Quote :

"Get past the bodywork, though, and you'll find an impressive sports car that is as quick as it is soulless. Giugiaro says the all-wheel-drive, mid-engined car accelerates from zero to 62 mph (100 kph) in 4.05 seconds and tops out at 155 mph."

i do like the title of the article though: "Giugiaro Builds the World's Ugliest Prius, But Boy Is It Quick"

3/3/2008 11:48:17 AM

He said look.

i would like a prius to look how it does but perform how that car does... sleepers are more my style

3/3/2008 11:56:17 AM

You guys remember this, shown also at Geneva, exactly 3 years ago:

http://www.worldcarfans.com/2040324.008/toyota-alessandro-volta-concept-car-unveiled-at-geneva

2004 Toyota Alessandro Volta Concept

Quote :

"Italdesign-Giugiaro and Toyota have collaborated to produce a stunning new concept for the Geneva Motor Show. It features the new Lexus RX400h's hybrid powertrain, combined with a carbon fibre chassis and sports car body engineered and produced by the famous Italian style and development company. With a top speed of 155 mph, 0-62 mph acceleration in a scorching 4.03 seconds, and a range of some 430 miles, the Toyota Alessandro Volta concept car proves it is possible to offer high performance in a car whose green credentials are unimpeachable. The car is named after Alessandro Volta, the Italian scientist who discovered the battery. The striking Hybrid Synergy DriveO powertrain combines a 3.3-litre V6 petrol engine with 2 powerful electric motors which provide the Alessandro Volta with a total output of 408 bhp (300 kW)."

About the new car:

Quote :

"The Quaranta borrows its hybrid powertrain from the Toyota Highlander Hybrid and the Lexus RX400h: a 3.3-liter V-6 and the Hybrid Synergy Drive system with a combined output of 268 horsepower and 213 pound-feet of torque. "

So, it has the same engine, and looks almost the same... so they just reskinned [their own creation].


Anyway, how the hell can anybody call it ugly???


Here is the "Toyota":

3/3/2008 1:22:04 PM

I just came

3/3/2008 2:03:33 PM

Quote :

"Anyway, how the hell can anybody call it ugly???"

You're right, "ugly" doesn't begin to describe the hideousness that is that car. At least in the first set of pics. The red version with the black trim is better.

3/3/2008 3:33:26 PM

Quote :

"Anyway, how the hell can anybody call it ugly???"

The silver car and the red car that you posted look nothing alike. The silver one has a single line that flows from the front bumper to the rear hatch. The red one is actually somewhat attractive. The silver one is a heinous turd.

3/3/2008 3:55:25 PM

After looking at it again it looks a lot like a big MS mouse.

3/3/2008 4:11:27 PM

Quote :

"The silver car and the red car that you posted look nothing alike."

"Nothing alike"? Right. That's like saying the F40 and the F50 are "nothing alike".

Of all the cars on the planet, the one that resembles the Quaranta the most is the Toyota Volta.

Quote :

"The red one is actually somewhat attractive."

[emphasis added]

You must be a famous car designer.

3/3/2008 4:25:52 PM

Yes, they share a similar shape. So does the Lamborghini Murcielago. What's your point?

Look at the lines that make the car...


The silver car has a single line that starts at the front bumper, goes all the way up the hood, up the windshield, across the roof, down the hatch, and into the rear of the car. The red car has broken lines. It has fenders that pronounce upwards instead of just outwards. The line from the hood and the line for the windshield are completely broken as the line from the windshield flows towards the front wheel instead of the front bumper.

The headlights are different.

They both have exhaust exiting in front of the rear wheel, but on the red car they carried that as a line towards the front wheel. The red car also has some additional vents above the rear wheel that don't exist on the silver car.

One car has a distinct A pillar and B pillar. The other car does not.


These are all huge differences and just the tip of the iceberg. Sorry if you don't see it.

[Edited on March 3, 2008 at 6:38 PM. Reason : l]

3/3/2008 6:37:33 PM