...Mean Dodges, It's the headlights and the fenders!!
One of the most interesting things I have noticed recently with many of the auto manufacturers is that the designers have really learned how to place human expression into a vehicle. Why do some of the latest vehicles look "mean" well, the headlamps are the first place to start.
The headlamps sort of resememble the way a person, or any animal for that matter, in an angry mood would hold their eyes. The headlamps start out wide at the edges of the vehicle and taper down towards the center. The top edges of the circular portions of the headlamps are also part of it. They are shaded at the top, simliar to the way an angry person's eyebrows would cut off the top edge of their pupil. Take a look at the headlamps for instance on the charger above..the latest siverados are the same way and see if you notice this!
Pickup trucks are sold on "toughness" they are supposed to be able to haul big loads, tow trailers, crawl up rocks and dirt roads, and that sort of thing. A tough appearance will tend to make the onlooker feel that the vehicle is more capable of these things than another...notice the "tough look" on pickup trucks really didn't come about till the mid 90's when people started using them for personal transportation more than work vehicles. Company buyers, the previous buyers of trucks look more at the real spec's to find out how the vehicle would perform before making a purchase and a personal buyer.
The fenders are a bit more animalistic than the headlamps, although if one thinks of the way a prize fighter holds their sholders before a fight. What comes to mind with me though is a cat that is stalking prey, and is getting ready to pounce. The animals sholders will be high on their body, and their stance is wide in order to make a powerful, precise leap. The wide fenders used in the latest Dodges sort of resemble this stance...like a cat ready to pounce!
Of course, facial expressions also work the other way too. The market for the Dodge Neon and the VW beetle is shooting for is people who want a fun little toy car that's not so serious. For that reason, those vehicles hoods curve up in sort of a smile. The headlights are perfectly round, resembling the bright eyes of a spirited, happy person! What comes to mind for me is a small child. The Mazda Miata's grill opening sort of resembles a person who is having a howling good time. When ever I see one of those cars, it sort of subconsiously says to me WHOOOOHOOOO!
One of the most interesting things I have noticed recently with many of the auto manufacturers is that the designers have really learned how to place human expression into a vehicle. Why do some of the latest vehicles look "mean" well, the headlamps are the first place to start.
The headlamps sort of resememble the way a person, or any animal for that matter, in an angry mood would hold their eyes. The headlamps start out wide at the edges of the vehicle and taper down towards the center. The top edges of the circular portions of the headlamps are also part of it. They are shaded at the top, simliar to the way an angry person's eyebrows would cut off the top edge of their pupil. Take a look at the headlamps for instance on the charger above..the latest siverados are the same way and see if you notice this!
Pickup trucks are sold on "toughness" they are supposed to be able to haul big loads, tow trailers, crawl up rocks and dirt roads, and that sort of thing. A tough appearance will tend to make the onlooker feel that the vehicle is more capable of these things than another...notice the "tough look" on pickup trucks really didn't come about till the mid 90's when people started using them for personal transportation more than work vehicles. Company buyers, the previous buyers of trucks look more at the real spec's to find out how the vehicle would perform before making a purchase and a personal buyer.
The fenders are a bit more animalistic than the headlamps, although if one thinks of the way a prize fighter holds their sholders before a fight. What comes to mind with me though is a cat that is stalking prey, and is getting ready to pounce. The animals sholders will be high on their body, and their stance is wide in order to make a powerful, precise leap. The wide fenders used in the latest Dodges sort of resemble this stance...like a cat ready to pounce!
Of course, facial expressions also work the other way too. The market for the Dodge Neon and the VW beetle is shooting for is people who want a fun little toy car that's not so serious. For that reason, those vehicles hoods curve up in sort of a smile. The headlights are perfectly round, resembling the bright eyes of a spirited, happy person! What comes to mind for me is a small child. The Mazda Miata's grill opening sort of resembles a person who is having a howling good time. When ever I see one of those cars, it sort of subconsiously says to me WHOOOOHOOOO!
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