Example of "American School" upscale automotive style (2010, heated seats, engine)

[pinetreecity]

What do you think of when you think of an "American Style" automobile? I'm talking about upscale automobiles.


Of course, things like style and looks are hard to quantify. To me, "American School" consists of the following qualities:

• Open, airy interiors with good lighting and soft touches.
• No complete dominance of smooth surfaces in the interior. (Check the doors in the picture.)
• Long hoods and roomy trunks
• A certain profile that I can't really describe.
• Soft ride
• Quiet cabin.

Here are some pictures that represent one of the purest examples of "American School" upscale automotive style. This is an automobile from about 12 years ago.

There is a certain irony here, but no surprise if you know the manufacturer. In a way, it's a masterpiece. The designers truely "got it".

What do you consider "American School"?

Pictures linked from Edmunds site.

http://www.edmunds.com/pictures/VEHICLE/1997/Mitsubishi/14686/1997.mitsubishi.diamante.8012-E.jpg (broken link)

http://www.edmunds.com/pictures/VEHICLE/1997/Mitsubishi/14686/1997.mitsubishi.diamante.7950-E.jpg (broken link)

http://www.edmunds.com/pictures/VEHICLE/1998/Mitsubishi/13274/1998.mitsubishi.diamante.7886-E.jpg (broken link)

[GTOlover]

http://www.yosax.com/car_images/2009-cadillac-cts-v-car.jpg (broken link)

I think of RWD and a monster V-8 that has tons of power with a smooth ride on the freeway and room for 4 and lots of trunk space and leather all around with a side of heated seats

[Vinsanity]

my dad used to have a base model of that generation Diamante. it was a fine car that did have a smooth ride and engine, but being a base model, the interior was simply nothing special. the seat fabric was nice and durable, but the plastic trim pieces were coming apart from the panels after a few years. Also, the car was really not that roomy in the inside, especially compared to many of today's midsize Camcord type cars. It was designed in the mid-90's during a time before cars inflated in size to accommodate supersized American booties. Funny thing is that the styling does convey a car notably larger than its actual size. Nowadays, cars seem to have the opposite effect; modern compact cars don't look too big, but some are pushing 3000 lbs with impressive interior volume to accommodate 4 adults.

[getmeoutofhere]

Originally Posted by pinetreecity

What do you think of when you think of an "American Style" automobile? I'm talking about upscale automobiles.

Cheap plastic, shoddy construction, bean counter approach to style, and bits and pieces wearing down and breaking off after a few months / years.

[Lux Hauler]

Originally Posted by GTOlover

I think of RWD and a monster V-8 that has tons of power with a smooth ride on the freeway and room for 4 and lots of trunk space and leather all around with a side of heated seats

Yep.