Ridiculous 2021 Audi styling

The reason for large grilles on modern cars is two-fold - increased market presence and economic.

The first basically means that the manufacturers logos and family 'faces' are larger and therefore more prominent - basically you're giving them free advertising.

The second reason is probably more important to the manufacturer - larger grilles basically means more air and less material. This makes the part cheaper to produce, but costs are kept at least the same, so they're making more profit.

The Audi grille has always traditionally been 4 sided - reflecting the 4 ring logo and the 4 companies that came together to make Audi. With the introduction of the early millennial models, they started chamfering the top corners off, making a 6 sided grille. This then became an 8 sided grille with the introduction of the Q2.

The e-tron models don't actually need grilles - not the size of the monstrosities they do - a small slot with condensers behind (for the climate) would suffice. This is what the Tesla's have and they work superbly.
 
Its so vulgar, and have no respect for rule number 1 in design.Form follows function.No need for a grille, for a long time.
I think Audi has been in this position several times; should we go for the looks, or the function?
At first, thinking, aha, no function, but every other brand has a grille.So lets make it into a element of its own.And make a point out of it.They started early with big ugly grills.
The schizophrenia is obvious, changing the sweet dolphinface of the A2 midlife.(I like both)

The future of Audi stays with the team that made A2.Sad that they let BMW i3 take over the marked, with their half good copy, and did not have a response.
Maybe we could hope for the A2 EV retro?
Group buy anyone?
 
Last edited:
Fredaudi said:
Its so vulgar, and have no respect for rule number 1 in design.Form follows function.No need for a grille, for a long time.
I think Audi has been in this position several times; should we go for the looks, or the function?
At first, thinking, aha, no function, but every other brand has a grille.So lets make it into a element of its own.And make a point out of it.
The schizophrenia is obvious, changing the sweet dolphinface of the A2 midlife.(I like both)

The future of Audi stays with the team that made A2.Sad that they let BMW i3 take over the marked, with their half good copy, and did not have a response.
Maybe we could hope for the A2 EV retro?
Group buy anyone?
Click to expand...
Even ICE cars don't always need grilles, judging by the A2
If I still have mine when it gives up I might try an EV conversion I suppose xD
 
Indi said:
Even ICE cars don't always need grilles, judging by the A2
If I still have mine when it gives up I might try an EV conversion I suppose xD
Click to expand...
The A2 has everything the future wants. Alu frame, and space for batteries.
I have for a long time been thinking that refurbishment and midlife upgrades for any car should be something a manufacturer should offer, or be obliged to offer.Elon M should take this into his business model.Refurbish and techupgrade programs for customers that have a strange feeling sending a perfect alubody to forever growing scrapyards.
 
Last edited:
In my view, the high point of Audi Styling was the early 'nineties to the mid two thousands. It was clean and understated.

Now, it seems to me that some Skoda models have taken that styling direction. ?
 
Fredaudi said:
Its so vulgar
Click to expand...
I find this an excellent choice of word. That's exactly what it is: vulgar. It looks like it's going to inhale pedestrians.

Fredaudi said:
Form follows function.
Click to expand...
Absolutely. This is one of the many reasons why I like the A2 so much; everything is dictated by its function, but yet the finished product is still elegant.

philward said:
I think Audi lost the front end styling plot over15 years ago then the introduced third generation A4.
Click to expand...
Agreed. Whilst the first of the 'goatie grilles' wasn't too bad, it marked the beginning of a slippery slope into general hideousness.
 
Last edited:
I remember when Rolls Royce and Bentley were taken over by the Germans. Seeing the first Rolls with its giant tombstone on its snout, I had an OMG moment. Then the Bentley came along with a tasteful front end and I thought 'VW seems to know what they're doing'.

Now we have the Bentayga and gigantic grilles! It's such a shame!

FAB 1 had more restrained styling!
 
timmus said:
I find this an excellent choice of word. That's exactly what it is: vulgar. It looks like it's going to inhale pedestrians.


Absolutely. This is one of the many reasons why I like the A2 so much; everything is dictated by its function, but yet the finished product is still elegant.


Agreed. Whilst the first of the 'goatie grilles' wasn't too bad, it marked the beginning of a slippery slope into general hideousness.
Click to expand...
I have remarked on another thread that I think the A2 just fine and will be appreciated in future as not following the fashion of its time. Therefore it will achieve 'classic' status because of that. It might be the last car ever where the engineer had more clout than the accountant!

Comparing it to its contemporaries would be like comparing the Citroen DS to other cars in 1955.
 
A bit of black paint and that's the A2 fully updated :D

IMG_6966.JPG
 
16DAC49A-1DA6-4AFE-B24A-06BC8BA05ECE.jpeg
Planet of the grilles, Is not only that, I think car designs, has turned more aggressive over the last 15 years.Even small cars should have aggressive lines.Looks ridiculous.

​

 
Last edited:
I well remember, driving on autobahns at the legal speed limit about ten years ago, feeling that I was being intimidated by huge Audi grilles tailgating me. I told my family I'd never, ever, be seen driving an Audi....
 
longdog said:
I well remember, driving on autobahns at the legal speed limit about ten years ago, feeling that I was being intimidated by huge Audi grilles tailgating me. I told my family I'd never, ever, be seen driving an Audi....
Click to expand...
Yep, the car has a look of impatience, even if the driver is as calm as Buddha.
 
Generally modern styling has also had to cope with modern regulation on protection of pedestrians - so big grills and raking design is to make the cars look lower than they actually are.

I quite liked the design of the last TT and only just sold mine on after having 5 in a row (the best looking aside from maybe the R8) - IMO the model 3 LR that I'm getting as a replacement is function over design. Its not a fantastic car to look at if I'm honest but its got one of the best drag coefficients in the business as 0.23. Better even that than A2 :)

Another month to wait though :(
 
I remember they used to say 20 years+ back that doctors/architects/dons would drive Audis or Saabs because they wanted a quality car with restrained styling!

I wonder what they buy now?
 
cheechy said:
Generally modern styling has also had to cope with modern regulation on protection of pedestrians - so big grills and raking design is to make the cars look lower than they actually are.

I quite liked the design of the last TT and only just sold mine on after having 5 in a row (the best looking aside from maybe the R8) - IMO the model 3 LR that I'm getting as a replacement is function over design. Its not a fantastic car to look at if I'm honest but its got one of the best drag coefficients in the business as 0.23. Better even that than A2 :)

Another month to wait though :(
Click to expand...
I agree that the later TT shape looks (to my eyes) better than the blobby A2 era model. What is a model 3 LR?
 
More than the grill has changed.


“That 2021 grill is definitely my style. Tell Charles I'm going to be late. Where do I sign?”

Audi has changed its position in the market.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top