I don't buy this. I mean, this info just sounds a bit too much like internet forum hash. Besides, spy shots have shown the 998 mule with the double-bubble roof and a (faux) ducktail testing. But that's a different car entirely.
@Deartháir wonders why Gawker won't believe...: Hi, I'm Meat Steakhands, a close, but lesser-known associate of Herr Beefpile, bringing you live updates from Stuttgart.
With the most recent news of Porsche re-employing their use of the "Duck-tail" in their line of sports-cars, the animal rights and environmental movements in Germany have been up in arms! As I can see behind me, there are at least 3 people outside Porsche Headquarten, standing in a very straight line and orderly opposing the supposed usage of these "Duck-Tails" in these cars. Oh, wait! One of the Protesters just made an angry gesture in the direction on Porsche headquarters! Oh the humanity! So much disorder! Mein Gott!
Reporting live from the war zone, I'm Meat Steakhands. Back to you, Stud.
Edited by Schm, enjoying his first desert winter. . at 07/21/09 8:59 PM
Schm, enjoying his first desert winter. . was starred
Schm, enjoying his first desert winter. . was unstarred
@Schm wishes he could bring back the funny. .: I think you safely brought back the funny, and fully intend on referring to you as Meat Steakhands from now on. That was absolutely epic.
Before the Porsche haterade gets opened,i'm gonna go on record & say i like it & i don't care if a ZR1 or a GTR is faster round ze ring,that's a fine looking car.
As much as I love the original ducktails, I believe they probably don't have the most aerodynamic design, so I wouldn't be surprised if it was a little different from the one pictured. Probably rounder on the sides, or something. I'm not quite the expert on the matter...
I'm not sure what I'd prefer though, a classic ducktail or a slightly updated design, incorporating the latest developments in aerodynamics... Either way, I'm sure Porsche will do a fine job with whatever they end up doing.
@Syrax: It's amazing how different the "GT" 911s are from the Turbo. The Turbo is fast but ultra-isolated. The GT3 and especially the GT3RS make you feel like McQueen.
@Syrax: And you just made me laugh out loud!!! Gee, it's nice to be back! My pictures won't post, but I don't mind just as long as I can comment. Yippee!
It has been a while. I was a bit resistant to the new system, and at first, it didn't work at the office where I do most of my posting. I still don't think I like it, but I'll make it work...
Do I detect a little of the boat-hull styling of the 1600 in that high gunwale line encircling the deck? I hope so, and I hope the sketch grows into it and takes on some more of his father's characteristics. This DUKW has a long way to go before it becomes a swan.
Group me with the "shocked if it happens", and with the "even more shocked if it makes it to the states".
For the last 10 years, manufacturers have been showing us awesome, then running awesome through the focus groups until it comes out mangled crap. The only exceptions to this are put at rediculous price points where very few can afford them.
I hope the front end doesn't look anything like the front end in that drawing, that's far worse than anything Bangle dreamed-up. I can't tell what the hell is going on with those headlights, and just because they're round doesn't make them retro. As for 'eye-brow' turn signals? WtF? Quick name a eye-brow-turn-signal wearin' auto?
@SlowMo: I hope it looks exactly like that. The Bangle hating needs to stop, because current Bimmers are way better than the boxes on wheels that we used to have. The eyebrows might be the headlights, with giant fogs.
And taking retro cues doesn't mean remaking the old car. If that car was in showrooms I'd buy it yesterday.
Also, just because something was ruined by bean counters and non-designers on one car doesn't mean it'll fail on everything else.
I'd love to see the design you'd come up with, and no you can't just use the old car.
@Clay Davis: I actually like a lot of the Bangle cars
/ducks
I just know that many of the commenters around here love to pile the hate on anything he is/was associated with so to say that something is worse than Bangle is a great insult in the Jalopnoverse.
@Clay Davis: "Because current Bimmers are way better than the boxes on wheels that we used to have"
Are you trolling? By boxes on wheels you aren't referring to the E46, E39, E38, E36, E34, E30, E28, E24, E21, E12, E9, are you? Try and imagine yourself 50 years from now looking back at the BMW time line, how do you explain the era when Bangle took over?
BMW's teutonic design language was conservative, clean, coldly precise, etc. and that's why I loved them. I don't hate Bangle's designs, I actually like some of them, I just hate that he had to use BMW as the platform to launch them into the world. I liked BMW just the way it was, Mercedes would have been a much better fit for Bangle.
@SlowMo: I hated the Bangle designs before I came to Jalopnik, and now that I'm here, I continue to admit that I like the 3-series and I wouldn't mind a 5er estate and I loooove the Z4.
It isn't really a rallying thing, it's more like... Bangle styles vehicles controversially. A lot of people are vocal about hating them, but last I checked they're still selling BMWs all over the place, so.
@ConnorW: But at the time, E38 and E39 was considered too conservative. After Bangle they went from a small - yes, small - manufacturer to a world player.
"I liked BMW just the way it was, Mercedes would have been a much better fit for Bangle."
That's my main problem with Bangle. At that time, BMW couldn't afford to do risky designs. Mercedes could. But because of those designs they're where they are today.
Are you trolling? By boxes on wheels you aren't referring to the E46, E39, E38, E36, E34, E30, E28, E24, E21, E12, E9, are you? Try and imagine yourself 50 years from now looking back at the BMW time line, how do you explain the era when Bangle took over?
The E46, E38, E39 were styled after Bangle took over.
@MR42HH: It was my understanding that these designs were already in development when Bangle took over, and it wasn't until the next generation that he could steer the design from ground up.
@Syrax: Yeah, the hatch is very strangely proportioned.
I actually like the looks of the 1-coupe, but the ones I do see (and there aren't many) are driven by bleach-blonde hoebags who could drive through a brick wall at any moment.
On top of that, again, it's way too close to the 3 in price and weight. A relatively economical yet fun to drive 1 would be perfect.
07/22/09
07/21/09
07/21/09
I do look forward to the brown leather interior, however. More cars need this leather, and more cars need to learn how to execute it properly.
07/21/09
With the most recent news of Porsche re-employing their use of the "Duck-tail" in their line of sports-cars, the animal rights and environmental movements in Germany have been up in arms! As I can see behind me, there are at least 3 people outside Porsche Headquarten, standing in a very straight line and orderly opposing the supposed usage of these "Duck-Tails" in these cars. Oh, wait! One of the Protesters just made an angry gesture in the direction on Porsche headquarters! Oh the humanity! So much disorder! Mein Gott!
Reporting live from the war zone, I'm Meat Steakhands. Back to you, Stud.
07/22/09
07/21/09
07/21/09
07/21/09
07/21/09
07/21/09
07/21/09
07/21/09
07/21/09
07/21/09
07/21/09
As much as I love the original ducktails, I believe they probably don't have the most aerodynamic design, so I wouldn't be surprised if it was a little different from the one pictured. Probably rounder on the sides, or something. I'm not quite the expert on the matter...
I'm not sure what I'd prefer though, a classic ducktail or a slightly updated design, incorporating the latest developments in aerodynamics... Either way, I'm sure Porsche will do a fine job with whatever they end up doing.
07/21/09
07/21/09
07/21/09
07/21/09
07/21/09
07/21/09
07/21/09
07/21/09
07/21/09
07/21/09
07/21/09
07/21/09
07/21/09
07/21/09
It has been a while. I was a bit resistant to the new system, and at first, it didn't work at the office where I do most of my posting. I still don't think I like it, but I'll make it work...
03/17/09
03/17/09
...oh, yeah, fuck it then.
03/17/09
03/17/09
For the last 10 years, manufacturers have been showing us awesome, then running awesome through the focus groups until it comes out mangled crap. The only exceptions to this are put at rediculous price points where very few can afford them.
03/17/09
03/17/09
03/17/09
03/17/09
03/17/09
03/17/09
... wait for it...
Aztek!
YUK!
03/17/09
03/17/09
03/17/09
03/17/09
And taking retro cues doesn't mean remaking the old car. If that car was in showrooms I'd buy it yesterday.
Also, just because something was ruined by bean counters and non-designers on one car doesn't mean it'll fail on everything else.
I'd love to see the design you'd come up with, and no you can't just use the old car.
03/17/09
/ducks
I just know that many of the commenters around here love to pile the hate on anything he is/was associated with so to say that something is worse than Bangle is a great insult in the Jalopnoverse.
03/17/09
03/17/09
Are you trolling? By boxes on wheels you aren't referring to the E46, E39, E38, E36, E34, E30, E28, E24, E21, E12, E9, are you? Try and imagine yourself 50 years from now looking back at the BMW time line, how do you explain the era when Bangle took over?
BMW's teutonic design language was conservative, clean, coldly precise, etc. and that's why I loved them. I don't hate Bangle's designs, I actually like some of them, I just hate that he had to use BMW as the platform to launch them into the world. I liked BMW just the way it was, Mercedes would have been a much better fit for Bangle.
03/17/09
It isn't really a rallying thing, it's more like... Bangle styles vehicles controversially. A lot of people are vocal about hating them, but last I checked they're still selling BMWs all over the place, so.
03/17/09
"I liked BMW just the way it was, Mercedes would have been a much better fit for Bangle."
That's my main problem with Bangle. At that time, BMW couldn't afford to do risky designs. Mercedes could. But because of those designs they're where they are today.
03/18/09
Are you trolling? By boxes on wheels you aren't referring to the E46, E39, E38, E36, E34, E30, E28, E24, E21, E12, E9, are you? Try and imagine yourself 50 years from now looking back at the BMW time line, how do you explain the era when Bangle took over?
The E46, E38, E39 were styled after Bangle took over.
03/18/09
03/18/09
03/17/09
03/17/09
03/17/09
03/17/09
I actually like the looks of the 1-coupe, but the ones I do see (and there aren't many) are driven by bleach-blonde hoebags who could drive through a brick wall at any moment.
On top of that, again, it's way too close to the 3 in price and weight. A relatively economical yet fun to drive 1 would be perfect.
03/18/09
I like the hatch enough to have one. Couldn't rock the coupe.
What's bad looking about that?
03/18/09