2006 Wheels Car of the Year: what will win in a very strong field?

[STREETFIRE]

anyone think the VE looks awkward because it's so tall? if i ever bought one i'd like the roofline dropped about 2 inches.

No. It looks great. Full stop.

[clutch-monkey]

I think it's got too much body, actually. the window line is fine, it's just very slabby in it's design.

yeah, and it's compounded by being considerably taller imo, especially when you see it next a VZ or a falcon. looks too chunky from some angles because of it

[fpv_gtho]

I think they look awkward cause theyve got the wheelbase and rear overhang of a statesman, the front overhang of a mini and the roofline of a coupe. I prefer the typical 3 box design the Falcon still has.

[STREETFIRE]

Short front overhang + coupe roofline = ultimate pwnage.
It doesn't look awkward. I've heard Ford fanboys saying what you said.

[clutch-monkey]

imo it does look awkward/unresolved, and the ass is grotesquely fat. And you can hardly accuse me of being a ford fanboy LMAO

[STREETFIRE]

IMO it doesn't and you're in the minority here. And I was talking to fpv gtho when i mentioned ford fanboys.

[fpv_gtho]

Who gave him a double dose of attitude?^^

[clutch-monkey]

IMO it doesn't and you're in the minority here.

probably, and i don't care: because after all, i don't have to drive them.
there's something to be said for light weight cars, rather than a 1800kg+ saloon, for a daily driver.

[STREETFIRE]

Who gave him a double dose of attitude?

You did and now I'm angry

[fpv_gtho]

Well before you go bust a cap in some fool, maybe next time you choose to label others as fanboys, you think about how you may be viewed when you express such strong pro-Holden, anti-Toyota views.

[motorsportnerd]

Short front overhang + coupe roofline = ultimate pwnage.
It doesn't look awkward. I've heard Ford fanboys saying what you said.

There's only one fact when it comes to styling - a cars styling is always a matter of personal taste. You think the VE looks great - great that's your opinion.
I think the VE looks good, but not great. I like the shape of the roofline curve and the way the car looks hunkered down - but it still looks way too tall.
As for the Aurion - it looks much better in the flesh. I don't like the grille and there's too much front overhang, but its got a nice overall hunkered down look. Saw a ZR6 with the body kit in silver the other day and thought it looked nicely understated in that colour.
But styling is always a matter of personal preference. I don't think you can "own" anyone with statements on styling.

[clutch-monkey]

- but it still looks way too tall.

oh good, i had hoped i wasn't the only one to think that

[SlickHolden]

When the camry was first out i still stand by what i said i thought it looked good. Aurion, Now it's very hard too pick them unless behind one. You really need too find the sporty models in the cool colours too pick it easy.


Now guys dudes, With the VE you just all need too see it above base model
Take these 3 as a example.. 3 angles low roof line.


And now going into the city everyday we have been seeing VE after VE. Plenty of SV6's SS's And a good amount of SS-V's. Some Calais-V's also, But plenty more Berlinas then Omega's. And we seem too see a good amount of them Vw's GTI's. Camry/Aurion's pass as well, I wish they used the same name Toyota with the camry Aurion because they are hard too pick. The Camry SX6.. Or replace the camry name with Aurion which sounds better.

[motorsportnerd]

Slick - don't you wash your cars before taking photos?

I still think the VE does look a bit tall compared to your VP, but to an extent, that's the current design trend. Also dictated a bit by safety legislation. Truth be told, the Aurion/Camry and the Mits 380 are too tall as well.
Older designs form the 90s (all Commodore through to the VY, Falcons up to the current BF and the 90s Camry's) had lower roof lines. The modern look is for the front to be low, the back high and a raised roof line that flows to the rear and also to allow for more head room in a roll-over. There is a practical problem with this sort of design - it makes it hard to see out the rear due to the rear being so high.
Still, design trends will change again, and the "tall" thing is a minor criticism from my point of view.

[fpv_gtho]

The big difference is the proportions between glasshouse and bodywork. On the street, a VP might look fairly normal but up against a VE, it looks like it could do with a chopped top.