We already know that car enthusiasts use the same part of their brains to identify cars as they do to identify faces. And people who write about cars have refered to their "facias" for ages (between discussions of headlight "eyebrows" and beltlines). But what's more, who among us, as we looked out from the rearward seats in our parents' station wagons — didn't picture the oncoming cars as having personalities?
Think back to the Ford Pinto, looking placidly oblivious to its gas-tank combusion risk, or the Chrysler Cordoba, whose piercing gaze belied the toothlessness wrought by its emission-control systems. Subtle design changes to cars faces nearly always changed their "personalities" in our weird, little minds. Now, Automotive DesignLine reports on a survey, which gauged respondents' reactions to some cars' faces. Which had the greatest face? The Lamborgnini, at 45%. (Yes, the rich are different from you and me.)
Till Our Cars Have Faces [Automotive DesignLine]
Related:
What s in a Name? For Carmakers, Sometimes More Than Intended [internal]