We need a new sub forum for "The Future"....

[2o6]

It looks like a mid-engine car.  Which isn't surprising, because it's a mid-engine car. 














Unless you want to tell me that all of them look like front wheel drive cars, I don't know what the fuck you're talking about.

MR and FF coupes can often times share similar proportions.


The i8 reminds me of a FWD coupe, Eclipse, etc. Short cowl, very short hood, things that are dictated by the fact there's an engine hanging over the front axle among other other packaging reasons.


I'll have to see it in person, but I'm not digging it.

[MexicoCityM3]

Very short hood in fwd cars? Really?

[12,000 RPM]

Very short hood in fwd cars? Really?

[MexicoCityM3]

[12,000 RPM]

Modern FWD coupes tend to have shapes that look MR. The Peugeot RCZ, the Audi TT, the Honda Civic, they are all super cab forward with short noses and could be MR

[MX793]

Cab-forward is a styling trend easiest to pull off with a FF (or MR/RR) drivetrain layout.  FWD does not inherently create or force a cab-forward design.

[FoMoJo]

Cab-forward is a styling trend easiest to pull off with a FF (or MR/RR) drivetrain layout.  FWD does not inherently create or force a cab-forward design.

Imo, cab-forward is less of a styling trend than the result of efficient packaging in FWD vehicles...the advent of vehicles as appliances.

[12,000 RPM]

Cab-forward is a styling trend easiest to pull off with a FF (or MR/RR) drivetrain layout.  FWD does not inherently create or force a cab-forward design.

It's definitely prevalent today... Mazda is probably the only company making small FWD cars with long noses.

[MX793]

Imo, cab-forward is less of a styling trend than the result of efficient packaging in FWD vehicles...the advent of vehicles as appliances.

It's definitely prevalent today... Mazda is probably the only company making small FWD cars with long noses.

It is indeed a nod towards packaging efficiency as much as it is about styling.  It allows more interior space for a given footprint.  Its prevalence is a reflection on the consumer demand for better interior efficiency, especially in more congested markets (like Europe and Asia).

[FoMoJo]

It is indeed a nod towards packaging efficiency as much as it is about styling.  It allows more interior space for a given footprint.  Its prevalence is a reflection on the consumer demand for better interior efficiency, especially in more congested markets (like Europe and Asia).

I suppose there is some attempt to mimic current styling trends, but there is nothing to excite...

[pendyman]

The i8 could look like this?:



That is gorgeous.

If they had showed this car in all black from the start, I think they might have people lining up.

When I win the lottery, it will be the third car on my list. Or maybe second.

[2o6]

Cab-forward is a styling trend easiest to pull off with a FF (or MR/RR) drivetrain layout.  FWD does not inherently create or force a cab-forward design.

Packaging and market dictates a more space efficient design these days, which generally means stubbier hoods and shorter noses. You still at the end of the day have to meet the needs of your clientele.

You do know how large the engine is, and which way it's oriented right? In a transverse FWD setup all that hood is unnecessary.

It's definitely prevalent today... Mazda is probably the only company making small FWD cars with long noses.

The only car with a long nose is probably the Mazda 2 (which is stupid) and the Mazda 3 (which is dictated by the fact it's a cut down Mazda 6). The Mazda 6 is about normal.

[12,000 RPM]

Mazda 6 isn't a small FWD car :)

[MexicoCityM3]

I talked to BMW Mexico corporate and got them to send their only i8 to our club track event this Saturday.

Will post review.