A decade of daring to be different

It’s been said that a great design is one that polarises opinion, dividing onlookers into two distinct camps; those who love it and those who absolutely loathe it.
As another decade draws to a close, I took a look at some of the most controversial, mass-produced car designs to hit our pothole-afflicted roads over the last 10 years.

This list is in no particular order.

E65 BMW 7 SERIES (Launch year: 2001)

BMW has always been an exciting brand that often gets people talking animatedly, but this model of their luxury 7 Series absolutely shocked the world with its radical design.

Chris Bangle, BMW’s chief designer at the time, kicked off BMWs new design direction with this 7 Series and if his only goal was to cause one heck of a stir, then he hit the bull’s eye.

Unfortunately for BMW, this 7 Series will probably forever hold the title of its most widely criticised model. Motoring journalists and car testers everywhere generally hated the “eyebrow” lookalike headlamps, clamshell boot lid and new-age technological features found inside the car.

What do I think? While it certainly wasn’t a classically beautiful design, I found it immensely cool and with an unmatched presence on the road. Its extremely advanced control interface has mostly been copied by other brands and BMW has gradually simplified the controls to the point where current Beemers are drastically ergonomically improved.


HONDA CIVIC HATCHBACK (Launch year: 2006)

The current Civic is a dramatic change from the model that preceded it. Seemingly inspired by the art of origami, the Civic is all about sharp lines and angles.



The front end has a somewhat bizarre strip of plastic that gives the illusion that you’re looking at one large headlight that stretches across the entire front-end of the car. The rear mimics this and includes a sporty fin integrated into the back window.

The interior is no less controversial, with a very space age feel to the controls.

The Civic has been generally accepted as a brave move by Honda and a thoroughly unique hatchback that hasn’t really had its practicality affected by the design.
In fact, it’s one of the most spacious vehicles in its class.

I think it’s truly stunning and makes the Golf look truly dull.


MERCEDES-BENZ CLS (Launch year: 2004)

Mercedes-Benz has generally reserved its design flair for its more niche sports models such as the SLK.

Then, they designed the CLS.

A car with all the performance, luxury and most of the practicality of a regular Merc but one that Batman wouldn’t mind using as a courtesy car while his Batmobile went in for a service.



I’m not a huge fan of Mercedes design, but I think this car is gorgeous and slightly scary. In black and with tinted windows, it must make for the ultimate getaway machine.



FIAT MULTIPLA (Launch year: 1998)

Yes, the Mulipla first went for sale in 1998, but I simply couldn’t exclude it from this list.
Fiats emanate from the same passionate country that produces Ferraris, so a bit of design flair here and there was always part and parcel of Fiat’s range of cars.




The Multipla was launched not too long after the Renault Scenic as a rival MPV (multi-purpose vehicle).

It was said to be designed around the 6 passengers it could accommodate, and this is clear upon entering the expansive interior. In those terms, Fiat produced a winner.

But the exterior was another story. Some found it endearing (judging by its impressive sales figures, or perhaps they just felt sorry for the poor thing…) but most agreed that the combination of 6 circular lights stacked in pairs at the front, oddly proportioned and oversized windows and a dumpy rear-end made for one of the ugliest vehicles ever seen.


BMW X6 (Launch year: 2008)

Still relatively new, the X6 takes 4X4 and sports car and moulds them together into one extreme package.




It looks spectacular from every angle and is absolutely huge, but can’t accommodate any more people and their stuff than a Toyota Corolla can.

Still, it is a beautiful beast in my eyes and has proven to be a positive image-builder for BMW.


CHRYSLER PT CRUISER (Launch year: 2000)

For most of its life, the Chrysler PT has been burdened with a lacklustre engine that did absolutely nothing to match the vehicle’s personality.
That said, its appearance had many doing double-takes when it was released.


It looks like its come straight out of the 20s and had been modified to fit in with 21st century design cues.
Much of its novelty has by now worn off, but I think it looks awesome and would make any kid proud if they’re dropped off at school in it.


RENAULT MEGANE II (Launch year: 2002)

The Megane had to fend off the class-leading Golf and therefore had to be something special (and to be honest, the same holds true to this day).



Renault probably realised it couldn’t match the Golf based purely on how good the car was, so they drew upon their charismatic French roots and came up with what was a mould-breaking design at the time.

Everybody was talking about the tiny but incredibly eye-catching rear window and the Megane’s shapely butt. I thought it was incredible in 2003 and now, well, it’s merely quite nice. Amazing how one’s perspective changes in a few short years.


BMW 1 SERIES (Launch year: 2004)

Yes, I know. I’m making mention of yet another BMW. But the truth is that this decade saw a raft of radically different BMWs finding their way onto our roads.






The 1 Series would have been controversial no matter what it looked like. 10 years ago, the mere concept of BMW producing a hatchback to compete with the Golf would have been as shocking as Porsche building a 4X4 and yet, both ideas have seen fruition today.

The 1 Series was BMWs first dedicated hatchback (the 3 Series Compact was the closest the company had previously gotten).
The brand new model was widely criticised for its strange looks and lack of interior space, but was widely praised for its strange looks and riveting dynamics.

I think it’s overpriced and that the cheaper models are underpowered but that it’s a sporty, funky car and a worthy first attempt from BMW in this segment of the market.


PORSCHE CAYENNE (Launch year: 2002)

Porsche has staked its claim as the maker of the perfect sports car in the shape of the technically, aesthetically and passionately perfect 911. For them to risk producing a 4X4 was an idea that many found difficult to stomach.



However, Porsche is also known for hardly ever putting a foot wrong, and the Cayenne has become a success for the brand. In fact, it has become Porsche’s best-selling model.

That doesn’t mean it isn’t ugly and bloated in appearance. The post- face lifted models are a lot better, but the original design lacked the cohesion of Porsche’s other models. Apparently, buyers didn’t care at all.


Despite all these vehicles not being universally acclaimed, all can claim to be a success to some degree.
Proof that bucking the trend and creating one of your own is sometimes a really smart idea.