Defacing a Mondeo

Now Europeans have been able to do pretty much everything better than other countries. We have a cultural heritage that America could not compete with, and another area in which we rule is cars. In America, it is deemed impressive if a car can do 20 mpg, whilst here, cars can do 70 mpg with a light foot. But that isn't where my argument really lies, it's more about how the poor people of America have had to put up with cars that look like European cars, that have just driven into a brick wall. The monstrosities that have come out of Ford's and GM's design room really beggars belief, but at least, they haven't made any of our nice European cars ugly in the pursuit to tempt car buyers to buy something economical. Until now.

Ford in America has finally come round to the fact that in Europe, Ford does things a bit (read: significantly) better, so they've essentially copied the Ford Mondeo. But one thing they haven't changed is good ol' American values. Which is of course, making things devoid of any curves. Out goes the sculpeted headlights, in comes in the rectangle ones. Liked the strong shoulder line of the mondeo? Gone. What Ford has done is reckless vandalism.

But alas, the styling of America is gradually leaking into the hearts of designers in europe. Take for example the brand new Toyota Avensis. An unappealing slab of silver boringness. The overly too big front with bulging headlights and oversized grill smacks of dullness, and this is from a company that used to pride itself on innovation.

News: Ford Focus RS

Time to look at the news, starting with the Ford Focus RS. It'll cost about £25k, have about 300bhp, and it really is one of the most hateful cars I have ever seen in my whole life. I saw the vomit green concept of it back at the 2008 British motor show, and it looked truly amateur. This is a sad thing, as fast fords used to be my one soft spot. Whenever I saw an Escort Cossie' I'd go all weak at the knees. The whale tail spoiler and wide wheel arches made the car fun, and the engine was tuned by the masters, Cosworth. But something has gone recently.

It started with the Ford Fiesta ST, which never had enough power, and looked ridiculous with the optional go faster stripes that ran along the front of it. This time Ford has taken it that bit further though: they've taken a ford focus, festooned it with unattractive accessories, painted it with whatever they had left out of their paint shop and then painted parts of it black to make it look more sporty. Any grown man who drives this car will look juvenile.

But that's just my opinion.

Roman