[Multimodal]

There's no dispute that the G8x has a highly controversial design, especially on its front end, but also other elements such as the G80's sharp rear fender flare and the G82's loss of the Hofmeister kink. We don't need to discuss the pro and con of all that. I am more interested in how the reception of other controversial automotive designs evolved over time, especially those generally disliked at their introduction and viewed fondly in retrospect.

What comes to mind for you? And is the G8x likely to become widely loved or will it always be a bold, acquired taste?

For example, I think of the 2014+ Jeep Cherokee. I remember hating this when it first came out. It was an abomination to Jeep design heritage (though better than the hideous 2007 Jeep Compass which still looks like it's made of Play-Doh). However it has aged relatively well, especially in Trailhawk trim, and with the 2019 design update I no longer personally hold it against people if they choose to buy one.



HotCars.com has the following list of 8 Ugly Cars That Were Actually Really Good:

8. Porsche Panamera



7. Jaguar XJ220



6. BMW M3 G80 / M4 G82 Competition



5. Fiat Multipla



4. Citroën 2CV



3. BMW X6 G06



2. Infiniti QX80



1. Mini Coupe

[Serious]

Originally Posted by Mr. Maboomba

There's no dispute that the G8x has a highly controversial design, especially on its front end, but also other elements such as the G80's sharp rear fender flare and the G82's loss of the Hofmeister kink. We don't need to discuss the pro and con of all that. I am more interested in how the reception of other controversial automotive designs evolved over time, especially those generally disliked at their introduction and viewed fondly in retrospect.

What comes to mind for you? And is the G8x likely to become widely loved or will it always be a bold, acquired taste?

For example, I think of the 2014+ Jeep Cherokee. I remember hating this when it first came out. It was an abomination to Jeep design heritage (though better than the hideous 2007 Jeep Compass which still looks like it's made of Play-Doh). However it has aged relatively well, especially in Trailhawk trim, and with the 2019 design update I no longer personally hold it against people if they choose to buy one.



HotCars.com has the following list of 8 Ugly Cars That Were Actually Really Good:

8. Porsche Panamera



7. Jaguar XJ220



6. BMW M3 G80 / M4 G82 Competition



5. Fiat Multipla



4. Citroën 2CV



3. BMW X6 G06



2. Infiniti QX80



1. Mini Coupe

Z3 M coupé
E60 M5

[Multimodal]

The E60 is a great one. I remember how much criticism BMW got for Chris Bangle's flame surfacing and the "bangle butt" of the E65. Over time that design technique has come to define modern automotive design so much that Jalopnik called Chris Bangle a prophet: https://jalopnik.com/we-were-all-wro...het-1664079107

[TrentMeister]

Originally Posted by Mr. Maboomba

The E60 is a great one. I remember how much criticism BMW got for Chris Bangle's flame surfacing and the "bangle butt" of the E65. Over time that design technique has come to define modern automotive design so much that Jalopnik called Chris Bangle a prophet: https://jalopnik.com/we-were-all-wro...het-1664079107

Look at those puny grille's

[..Rush..]

I would say our beloved 1 series.

For some reason, when they first came out, all of these automotive writers panned the car design, and called our cars ugly.

I actually like the design of our cars.

[bmw1racer]

Originally Posted by Mr. Maboomba

6. BMW M3 G80 / M4 G82 Competition

NOT.

[02M3ForMe]

The new Supra. Lots of people hated it until they started showing up at dealerships and on the road. It seems like a lot of people got on board with the styling.

[Law]

Generally speaking, the designs of Bangle-era Flame Surfaced BMWs were controversial and not universally loved (quite the opposite at times) during their time but have aged exceptionally well, even if they might not be considered classically beautiful.

Granted, the later LCI updates did help the designs grow on people but I personally think time has been kind to them.


E85/E86 Z4 & Z4 M





E60 / E61 M5








E65/E66 BMW 7 Series

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by Law

E65/E66 BMW 7 Series

I always liked the E60/61 and E85/86 since they first premiered so can't speak on those, but for the E65, for me it wasn't until the facelift that I started to like it, simple changes really go a long way. I always thought the front of the pre-LCI looked depressed.



One of the Bangle designs that I still don't like however has to be the E63/64 6-Series, that one just hasn't grown on me over time.

[FinalRenegade]

Originally Posted by Mr. Maboomba

8. Porsche Panamera

Sorry that Panamera is still ugly as sin, I can't believe it was released in the same era as the A7,6 series Gran Coupe and CLS lol, what a disaster

current generation is absolutely stunning tho!

[n55f15]

The 996. Personally I’m not a fan, but know plenty of people who love it

[VisualEcho]

The one that comes to mind is the Europa, which I still dislike, but it's pretty loved in the community.

[Darth One]

I dunno guys, every single picture of a car in this thread so far still looks pretty terrible to me all these years later.

With the exception of the Z4, which i never thought was ugly to begin with. I guess the Panamera deserves partial credit for how Porsche has smoothed it out over the years, but it still looks ungainly and disproportionate.

[Vivek.]

I came here to say E65/66, but to be fair I always liked that design, especially the facelift.

E60 (I'm grouping the M5 in here since only the fenders and bumpers changed from the base) I thought was bland and boring, borderline ugly when it came out. Still do if I'm honest. OP you're the first person I've seen to consider the Fiat Multipla a beloved design

[Multimodal]

Originally Posted by Vivek.

OP you're the first person I've seen to consider the Fiat Multipla a beloved design

The only one I named was the Jeep Cherokee KL (2014+). All of the others came from a linked article. Most of those cars are hideous.

[Germanauto]

All the vehicles OP posted are still viewed as ugly.

As others have alluded to, the Bangle cars are generally viewed favourably. Personally I think the E60 looks nice in 550 and M5 trims, but the more basic models still look somewhere between weird-to-ugly to me. The E65 had some unconventional bits early on but the LCI fixed everything. Best looking 7-series second only to the E38 in my opinion.

[Multimodal]

Originally Posted by Germanauto

All the vehicles OP posted are still viewed as ugly.

Not very good prospects for the G80 to mature into something attractive...

[F13]

Originally Posted by ..Rush..

I would say our beloved 1 series.

For some reason, when they first came out, all of these automotive writers panned the car design, and called our cars ugly.

I actually like the design of our cars.

+1

[brad850csi]

Did anyone ever think the XJ220 was every ugly?

The E60/61 has always appealed to me apart from the headlights and the LCI E65/66 is a pretty car, the Z4M has always been a good looking car in my mind.

As for every other car in this thread - they were ugly new and still ugly now.

[Tuxedo]

Originally Posted by ..Rush..

I would say our beloved 1 series.

For some reason, when they first came out, all of these automotive writers panned the car design, and called our cars ugly.

I actually like the design of our cars.

I love the 1er, to their claim the front is dowdy with the poor fit and finish especially were the hood headlamp and fender meet. 1M's front does look better, I do enjoy the lines along the car rear looks great.

Looks as age applies really doesn't matter imo it's the forgotten bmr long and short of it. It's the best car I've ever had don't even care what it looks like.

[cb804]

Do one off cars count?

How about the Ferrari 250 GT SWB Breadvan...

[bmw1racer]

Originally Posted by cb804

Do one off cars count?

How about the Ferrari 250 GT SWB Breadvan...

Like the Europa, it's got one hell of a blind spot in the rear fender sides.