Land Rover LRX

[2o6]

I love it.

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/01/geneva-08-preview-land-rover-lrx-puts-on-a-tux-looks-sharp/

[Cookie Monster]

Holy high beltline Batman!

[2o6]

How did I miss the first concept?

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/13/detroit-2008-land-rover-lrx-lights-up-motor-city/

[2o6]

Holy high beltline Batman!

I think it looks good on this car. Remember, this is smaller than the LR2. Think Fiat Panda.

[Cookie Monster]

I think it looks good on this car. Remember, this is smaller than the LR2. Think Fiat Panda.

Doesn't mean it has to feel as if you're sitting in a well.

[2o6]

Doesn't mean it has to feel as if you're sitting in a well.

Yeah, but high beltlines are a bit of a safety precaution. Too many soccer moms in surburbans not paying attention.

[Cookie Monster]

Yeah, but high beltlines are a bit of a safety precaution. Too many soccer moms in surburbans not paying attention.

That makes no sense whatsoever.

[2o6]

That makes no sense whatsoever.

Glass is not as strong as Metal. Why do you think Subcompact cars typically have higher beltlines than compact and midsize ones?



Why do you and Call_911 so quick to dismiss me? Shut up and listen for once.

[Cookie Monster]

Glass is not as strong as Metal. Why do you think Subcompact cars typically have higher beltlines than compact and midsize ones?



Why do you and Call_911 so quick to dismiss me? Shut up and listen for once.

It also cuts down visibility and makes the car look like ass.

[2o6]

It also cuts down visibility and makes the car look like ass.

THINK ABOUT IT. A HIGHER BELTLINE MEANS MORE SECURITY. MORE AND THICKER SHEETMETAL PROTECTS MORE OF YOUR BODY.

[SVT666]

I think if done properly high beltlines look great.  This concept as a whole does not.

[2o6]

I think if done properly high beltlines look great.  This concept as a whole does not.

I like elements of it, but otherwise it's a bit mediocre.

[SVT666]

I like elements of it, but otherwise it's a bit mediocre.

Your original post says you love it.

[2o6]

Your original post says you love it.

[S204STi]

Overall I really dig the latest run of Land Rovers.  This is a bit excessive in some areas but overall appealing in an aesthetic way.

[nickdrinkwater]

Looks fantastic, but I like it better in white.

Looking forward to the production model.

[Galaxy]

I like a lot of details here, for example the rear tail lights but overall someting bothers me about this concept. I can't quite point my finger at it.

[sandertheshark]

Holy high beltline Batman!

Jesus Christ.

I have a new theory about the ridiculously high beltlines on seemingly every new car:  All new cars are designed by old men in Florida.

[Tave]

Jesus Christ.

I have a new theory about the ridiculously high beltlines on seemingly every new car:  All new cars are designed by old men in Florida.

I know they had something to do with this........metamorphosis. And it had a high beltline to begin with!

[ChrisV]

High beltlines are nothing new. In fact, high beltlines were the standard for most cars from the teens through the '50s. And still teh norm on exotic sports cars and chopped top customs.

[Submariner]

THINK ABOUT IT. A HIGHER BELTLINE MEANS MORE SECURITY. MORE AND THICKER SHEETMETAL PROTECTS MORE OF YOUR BODY.

Thicker sheetmetal provides more safety?

Are you joking?

[Tave]

High beltlines are nothing new. In fact, high beltlines were the standard for most cars from the teens through the '50s. And still teh norm on exotic sports cars and chopped top customs.

I don't think anyone said the high beltline is new. The fact that it's part of design vocabulary proves it's not.

A couple people have pointed out (rightly) a recent design trend raising the beltline on almost EVERY car. It's not always a recipe for success. It was for the Chrysler 300. It wasn't for that Sebring, IMO.

[giant_mtb]

THINK ABOUT IT. A HIGHER BELTLINE MEANS MORE SECURITY. MORE AND THICKER SHEETMETAL PROTECTS MORE OF YOUR BODY.

That's quite funny.  And what about the guy who thinks "oh, I have a high beltline so nothing will bother me" and then he gets in an accident because he couldn't even see the accident coming 'cause the only windows he could remotely see well out of was the front window and the sunroof?  Cars are safe, high beltline or not. 

[Raza]

Visibility is safety. 

This is ugly. 

Hideous seems to be the new sexy.  Between this, the Rampage, the A-BAT, and likely other concepts, it's obvious that we're trending towards ugly.  I think we'll eventually see Rosie O'Donnell become the new masturbatory fantasy of the younger generation.

[nickdrinkwater]

Raza, I keep seeing you refer to the 'younger generation'.  Aren't you one of them?

[Madman]

Higher beltlines are also a result of European pedestrian impact regulations that went into effect a couple of years ago.  According to EU law, there has to be space between the top of the engine (8cm, I think?) and the hood/bonnet to absorb the impact of an inattentive pedestrian bouncing off your car.  In making the front of the car taller, designers have also had to raise the beltlines in order to retain some sense of proportion.  Some cars, like the Jaguar XK8, use a hood/bonnet designed to pop up in the event of a pedestrian collision, but this is an expensive solution.

Since most cars today are sold globally, even cars designed and built outside the EU are still designed to comply with this regulation.  Lights and bumpers can be easily changed for different local regulations, but the whole front end of a car can't.


Cheers,
Madman of the People

[Laconian]

Higher beltlines are also a result of European pedestrian impact regulations that went into effect a couple of years ago.  According to EU law, there has to be space between the top of the engine (8cm, I think?) and the hood/bonnet to absorb the impact of an inattentive pedestrian bouncing off your car.  In making the front of the car taller, designers have also had to raise the beltlines in order to retain some sense of proportion.  Some cars, like the Jaguar XK8, use a hood/bonnet designed to pop up in the event of a pedestrian collision, but this is an expensive solution.

Since most cars today are sold globally, even cars designed and built outside the EU are still designed to comply with this regulation.  Lights and bumpers can be easily changed for different local regulations, but the whole front end of a car can't.


Cheers,
Madman of the People

I don't think compliance with European regulations compels manufacturers to take it to the ridiculous extreme that they do. The design of the 300 and Magnum predate the ped crash regulations by several years.

Eventually we'll have no windows whatsoever and will have to feel through traffic using the Force.

[ChrisV]

I don't think compliance with European regulations compels manufacturers to take it to the ridiculous extreme that they do. The design of the 300 and Magnum predate the ped crash regulations by several years.

As I've said before, they were patterned more after the '50s lead sled concept...







Whether people here like them or not, a large percentage of the automotive enthusiast population does.

Eventually we'll have no windows whatsoever and will have to feel through traffic using the Force.

Much like those of us that have driven a delivery/work van or pickup with bed cap.





Of course, when talking high beltline, low side windows and poor visibility, we have to talk exotics:

[Laconian]

When you're so fast that everything's behind you, rearward visibility is meaningless.

[280Z Turbo]