living: autocade

It’s that time of the year again, when Lucire announces the most stylish cars of the coming year. Our finalists reviewed

CARS are the great consumer product, and fashion dictates what you drive as much as what you wear. And like clothing and make-up, last year’s model can, sometimes, look dated. SUVs, once fashionable, all of a sudden seem outmoded and unfriendly (mind you, we have been saying that since 2000); but then, as small cars become more popular, they might seem just a little too common to be stylish.

So in 2007, which models stand out? Which car suits the Lucire reader—the independent, globally minded woman?

The winner will be announced in issue 22 of Lucire and public feedback is welcome.

DaimlerChrysler AG

Mercedes-Benz CLS

It’s hardly new, but those lines that looked so extreme back then seem right for 2007. The high waistline helps with a cocooning feeling when you drive it, and it’s not as OTT as the big S-Klasse.

Ford Motor Company

Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster

Chopping the roof of an Aston always guarantees plenty of attention, and the V8 Vantage Roadster is sure to continue that tradition. We can’t think of any Aston convertible that wasn’t a sexy accessory to the independent woman.

Ford Mondeo (CD345)

Featured briefly in issue 21 of Lucire, the Mondeo that James Bond drove in Casino Royale is the best expression of Ford’s ‘Kinetic Design’ ideas. A snappy handler, and a great looker—and since BMW 3-series outsell the Mondeo, you can’t call it common any more.

Ford S-Max

The Europeans have already voted this their Car of the Year, and we see plenty there. It’s a wonderful mix of sportiness and practicality, and you don’t look like you’re on the school run driving it. One of our much talked-about models in Lucire in 2006.

Volvo C30

Also in issue 20, Volvo’s confident Scandinavian design is translated into three-door hatchback form, with a look that’s far more distinctive than an Audi A3’s.

Tesla Motors

Tesla Roadster

In Lucire issue 20, the Tesla is the second all-electric sports car (after the Venturi), but by virtue of being cool and Californian (started by a bunch of computer types who brought fresh thinking into automaking), it’s bound to get the appeal of Hollywood types. And maybe a few more people.

Volkswagen AG

Audi R8

Based around Lamborghini bits, the Audi R8 is a Germanic interpretation and a foray into a new market for the Ingolstadt automaker. It’s a surprise entry in this magazine—but we can’t get over how it reminds us of those futuristic show cars from our childhood.

Honorary mentions

Holden Commodore

Sold as a Chevrolet in South America, South Africa and the Middle East, and a Vauxhall in the UK, the Holden Commodore updates the traditional line, but makes them more Tonka toy-like with chunky lights and an exaggerated front fender. But the extra weight and fuel consumption are marks against it, when a diesel should really have been part of the launch programme. No excuses.

Nissan Qashqai

Recognizing that people are tired of everyday, humdrum hatches, Nissan fields the Qashqai, a vehicle that blends sports car, SUV and MPV ideas. The last car to cross-over different segments so successfully was the Nissan Murano.

Opel Antara

Germanized version of the Daewoo Winstorm. The Winstorm may have been styled by white guys, but it still looks Asian, even when they call it a Chevrolet or Holden Captiva. The Antara takes Opel themes and the result is a more international design. Sportiness in a SUV—it’s possible, but Nissan’s Qashqai shows how much further this design could have gone.

Pontiac Solstice

And Saturn Sky and Opel GT. The price is right, but GM’s need to sell this under different brands means no model tends to express a particular brand’s values successfully.

Worth the wait

Audi A5

This is a sexy-looking coupé that wears the single-frame grille best, of all the Audis so far.

Jaguar XF

We’re so confident of Ian Callum’s design abilities that we can make a punt for the XF without seeing it.

Renault Laguna

Laguna should blend Renault’s fluid design ideas with an adventurous approach.

Renault Twingo

The city car of ’08? We shall see, but first indications (of a show car) are positive.

Avoid

Brilliance BS6

Underdeveloped Red Chinese car. In theory, Brilliance should do very well, since it partners with BMW in Red China. But the BS6 falls short on so many areas, it makes the Shanghai-built Roewe 750 (née Rover 75) look great.

Chrysler Sebring

Why couldn’t Chrysler have scaled down the 300 and make this look the business? Instead, this Crossfire four-door looks clumsy by comparison. Toyota is celebrating with its Camry and Aurion.

Citroën C-Crosser and Peugeot 4007

Grafting French grilles on to a Mitsubishi Outlander back is unconvincing. The last time they mixed an Allied country with an Axis power in France, we got the Vichy régime. This is not much prettier.

Daewoo Kalos and Gentra

Naughty, naughty. Kalos is a low scorer on Euro and Australian NCAP safety tests—and to add insult to injury, it’s sold in Australasia as a Holden Barina, and is less safe than the car it replaces. Called the Chevrolet Kalos or Aveo in some countries.

Ssangyong Rodius

Ugly as sin in 2006. Ugly as sin in 2007. The less said about this mutated Greyhound bus-in-MPV mode, the better.

Previous winners

2001 Audi A4 Avant

2002 Audi A4 Cabriolet

2003 Peugeot 307 CC

2004 Aston Martin DB9

2005 Mercedes-Benz SLK

2006 Aston Martin V8 Vantage