#tl;dr in my personal project one of the big things is that (one) military has had to evolve alongside gryphon riders for a long long time

[tovaicas]

not me importing my anti-air defense worldbuilding h/cs into ishgard bc I can

[phoenixtakaramono]

I need to get this off my chest.

TL;DR please do your research before jumping on the bandwagon. Also, the reason why something could be popular is the amount of attention that is generated which, in turn, generates curiosity. Publicity of all sorts–both negative and positive–brings awareness to any sort of medium.

Why are certain franchises/ fandoms doing well? How is hype contributing to its overall popularity and sheer existence? The answer we usually say is, “well, it’s the fans, right?” Some people might also say, “because the content’s good due to so-and-so!”

Not just that. It’s also largely due, ironically enough, to the contribution of naysayers (the “antis”) or those who jump on the bandwagon of whatever’s popular at the moment.

Both crowds raise awareness to any franchise. You have the support of its fans and you have its controversial side. Counterculture and counter-counterculture feed into the franchise’s relevancy.

I’m going to use ‘Killing Stalking,’ a R18+ manhwa by Koogi, as an example for the current Tumblr hype on the latter end of 2016 to 2017 presently. I’ll admit I have a bias, but I’ll do my best to stay objective. For those who don’t know, it’s a controversial Korean webcomic about a stalker with BPD who chooses the wrong “favorite person” to fixate on. Little did he know, upon breaking into his victim’s house, that the very same handsome bloke he’s grateful for having saved him from a traumatic experience in the military is actually a serial killer with a Mother Complex.

…Yes, what a Shamalyan-ian plot twist. (Honestly, this is not that big of a spoiler. It is called ‘Killing Stalking,“ after all.)

Thusly we find ourselves reading a story about the stalker stuck in a delicate situation as the captive of the very man he thought to be the charismatic nice guy that society loves (you know the type). Think the Korean version of 'Misery’ and 'Psycho’ if you want the basic idea. Although, fair warning, that description doesn’t encompass everything.

You wouldn’t necessarily think this IP would become viral, right? KS can be graphic, its contents can make the audience feel squeamish, it has shock value, it features an unlikely protagonist, the story revolves around two blokes in an unhealthy situation, etcetera etcetera. If I was being honest, it’s a bit overrated. It’s not some groundbreaking IP that its dissenters are making it out to be. However, some pluses: the art’s decent considering it’s a Korean manhwa, I will give Koogi that (even with the curious artistic decision to forgo the eyes at several panels, and their amusingly panda-eyed main characters). Also, the main character…wow, what a turnabout. Questionable actions notwithstanding, I honestly never thought I’d come to root for him (currently what I feel up to ch17), but his POV is the vessel for how we see this situation unfolds between him and his captor. There is something to it that makes me morbidly curious for how Koogi is going to end this.

Everyone came to KS for some reason or another (usually because it’s the hottest trend of the moment), with certain expectations already set. I’m certain how people have noticed tumblr users popping up, asking “just what is this franchise I keep hearing about anyway?” Or even “why is this franchise popular?”

I’d discovered KS because of the number of discourse on my dashboard. (Yes, “antis.” How ironic. Also, big irony, the bigger the fuss is made, the more people find out about it. Any vocal disinclination, however noble it was intended or perhaps self-serving if someone was doing this to get attention, is bringing the franchise they hate relevancy instead of letting it fade into obscurity.) Case in point, being the curious person that I am, ignoring my hipster tendencies (wow, this is like once a blue moon), I went to check KS out to see what has gotten the tumblr subculture in a tiff over this time. And I am certain all of us have seen more and more people jumping on the hype train.

I can see why some people would be deterred. KS is not for everyone. And there are those, keeping in mind that not everyone is a writer or have not become desensitized or are perhaps younger/ inexperienced, who legitimately want to warn others of reading such disturbing content. The road to hell is paved with good intentions. It’s better to just let them be because, a mood-killer as negativity is, let them vent or express their opinion. Like fans, this is how they form their community: finding other like-minded people.

However. Misinformation. Yes, let’s discuss this.

The Internet is prone to exaggerations. And however objectively we write, there will always be a small hint of bias leaking through. That’s why it’s better for us to form our opinions ourselves once we have done our research. This way, we can tell claims from facts than relying on hearsay.

If you’ve done your research and have read the whole thing before forming a opinion, what you write publicly online will probably sound legitimate to other strangers if you’ve done your research. You’ll sound credible. You’ll sound like someone who strangers could believe to an extent. What you’ve learned about making persuasive arguments/ essays and whatnot is shining through. It means those lessons have actually stuck in your head. (On that note, there is psychology to getting people to listen. It’s the same for effective constructive criticisms; you shoehorn in the pros with the cons, to soften the blows.)

You do your reading first, form an opinion, and you go about arguing against or for it to convince your audience. Very few people can pull off skimming the readings and then writing an objective opinion piece that fools readers into thinking that you know what you’re talking about. You’ll have to have experience pulling bollocks out of thin air, and not everyone can do that.

So, if anyone claims this-and-that without doing their research, but those who have read it to its entirety know that claim isn’t true…then that person has lost credibility. There’s no point seriously reading their opinion anymore. If someone also devolves into insults or juvenile rhetoric (or the written equivalent of sticking their fingers in their ears and then sticking their tongue at you, blowing a loud raspberry), there's little point talking to a brick wall.

I’m of the opinion that if you truly loathe something, the ultimate revenge is not letting it get to you. Don’t give them attention. Let them fade into obscurity. The more you shout, the more attention you’re bringing to it…and it may not always be the result you want. There’s no point wasting effort on something that is just going to drain you emotionally. Your time is valuable. Just let a franchise run its course, and eventually hype will wane as hot trends always do.

Do I think KS is for everyone? NO! GOLLY, IT’S R18+ FOR A REASON. In my childhood, I remember Korean webcomics were infamous for their depiction of horror and urban legends that were suppose to jumpscare you as you scrolled down.

Do I think though KS deserves the attention it’s getting? Ah, that’s debatable…but it’s certainly not the demon-spawn people are making it out to be. The contents are certainly not impacting my opinions negatively of people who have mental illness or have suffered trauma. If anything, KS has brought the notion of BPD into my awareness. I also doubt anyone is genuinely desiring to be in the main character’s situation, or wanting a relationship like that. (That’s the beauty of the Internet. You learn to take such assertions with a grain of salt. I’d like to think they’re usually tongue-in-cheek exaggerations rather than genuine romanticization. Also, fantasies are just that. Imagination. Which means it is in their head. In their own privacy, which we cannot control, unless this is some freaky Orwellian schtick.)

It’s good to have both good and bad representation. How do we know what is bad representation if they don’t exist? If we only see good after good (well, realistically, it gets tiring to see the same ol’ portrayal whether it’s good or gruesome), then we eliminate people’s understanding of what is bad. The scarcity of something means an increase in demand.

I’ll leave it at this: you seclude several people in a cave. They have never been outside. Chained down, they are not allowed to turn their heads. All they see is the blank wall before them, projecting writhing shadows because of the fire behind them. This wall is all they know. The wall is their world. “The inmates of this place do not even desire to leave their prison; for they know no better life.” Now, assume you let one prisoner go from their bonds. Are they enlightened by this newfound burden of knowledge about the manufactured reality or do they wish to go back to that reality in denial?

[jonathanbelloblog]

The New-Car and Concept Hits, Misses, and Revelations from 2018

As usual, the 2018 auto shows in Detroit, Chicago, Geneva, New York, and Los Angeles got the staff to arguing about which new cars, trucks, SUVs, and concepts were hits, which were misses, and which had us scratching our heads. Here’s a look back at some of the highlights and lowlights of the past year, with prospects for those models and concepts in 2019 and beyond.

HIT: Genesis Essentia Concept And the winner of the “Wait, that’s a Hyundai?” award goes to this breathtakingly beautiful concept car. What a work of art.—Aaron Gold

Star of the New York show, and probably the auto show season. It’s exactly the sports grand touring (electric vehicle) design that Genesis needs in order to build up its luxury brand credibility.—Todd Lassa

OUTLOOK: Production by 2021 confirmed. Genesis’s limited production halo will be a purely electric sports car—not an SUV.

HIT: Infiniti Q Inspiration Concept It features Infiniti’s interesting VC-Turbo variable-compression engine technology, and if the next production Q70 ends up looking like the Q Inspiration, I won’t complain.—Mac Morrison

Beautiful, even if it does look like it cribbed a bit off the Porsche Mission E’s sheet. The only thing I don’t like about this car’s sleek, relatively understated styling is the unlikelihood that it will make it to production without a dozen added ungainly flourishes.—Nelson Ireson

Too bad it’s not the actual car, because with its mean, chunky mug, massive panoramic glass feature that extends down the back, its wide, sweeping rear end, and floating four-place seating and console, this is a package that shouts luxury and exudes future cool.—Mike Floyd

After generations of uninspired flagship sedans, the Q Inspiration’s cues promise a return to the spirit of the original Q45.—TL

OUTLOOK: An Infiniti flagship that looks something like this will come. And without the distinctive C-pillar “Nakamura kink” curlicue featured on all current models.

HIT: Lamborghini Urus I came into the Motor City prepared to write a half-dozen jokes at the Urus’s expense, but after seeing it in person, I’m smitten.—A.G.

MISS: Lamborghini Urus I can give the Urus a pass because Lamborghini has done an SUV before, but I can’t forgive its uninspired, Aventador nose on a Q7 body.—TL

OUTLOOK: Will outsell the LM002 by far. And a multitude of forthcoming variants and special editions will keep it at the top of Lambo’s charts for a long time.

REVELATION: Toyota Supra achieves the perfect balance Chief engineer Tetsuya Tada says a key goal of the new Supra was that it must achieve a perfect 50:50 front-to-rear weight balance. From the sound of it, the team has nailed the brief. The Supra will not come with a manual transmission, which is a surprise to virtually no one.—MF

OUTLOOK: The production Supra finally bows at the ’19 Detroit show. With Akio Toyoda in attendance.

HIT: Mercedes-Benz G-class Like Jeep’s Wrangler, it’s a serious throwback that now doesn’t always have to make you feel as though you just bought a used car from the mid-’90s. Expect to smile more than ever when you drive one, or see one coming your way.—MM

The ever-so-massaged styling keeps the former-generation’s rugged looks with some considerations given for new technology. Plus, the doors still have that military-grade sound when they shut.—Billy Rehbock

You might not be able to tell the new G Class is new at all if you only see it from the outside. The interior, on the other hand, is now much better executed, from ergonomics to materials to design. Too bad its starting price is more than a good annual salary.—NI

REVELATION: Dr. Z still likes Detroit Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche has a real fondness for The Motor City. He revealed the new Geländewagen at the historic Michigan Theater with erstwhile Hummer enthusiast/Governator/failed The Apprentice host Arnold Schwarzenegger.—TL

OUTLOOK: Mercedes will not attend the 2019 Detroit auto show. No Dieter Zetsche this year. But at least we have Akio Toyoda.

HIT: BMW X2 The slick new X2 is a refreshing break from the cookie-cutter SUVs—sorry, SAVs—we’re used to seeing under the Bimmer badge. Here, finally, is a BMW ute that manages to avoid both the frumpiness of the X3 and X5 and the silliness (and uselessness) of the X4 and X6.—AG

MISS: BMW X2 It looks like the designers were bored. So am I.—NI

OUTLOOK: Another Bimmer destined to cut into 3 Series sales. It’s a crossover. Of course it will cut into 3 Series sales.

HIT: Hyundai Veloster Hyundai’s next-generation Veloster is an evolutionary step in design and promises to be a genuine hot hatch. The N Performance model is particularly attractive with 275 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque sent through a six-speed manual.—BR

The Mark II Hyundai Veloster reminds me of the Mark II Honda CRX.—TL

HIT: Hyundai Veloster N Give us a simple car with a big engine and a buttoned-down suspension and chances are we’ll rave about it, because chances are it’ll be pretty darn good. If it doesn’t torque-steer like a lubed weasel, the Veloster N should be a gem.—AG

OUTLOOK: The Veloster N is a gem. After all these years, Hyundai has learned how to tune a chassis.

REVELATION: A Trumpchi by any other name GAC has committed to importing its first model, the three-row GS8 sport/utility, to the U.S. market by the fourth quarter of 2019.—TL

OUTLOOK: 50/50. Depends on whether President Trump or President Xi wins the trade war.

HIT: Volvo V60 station wagon The second car on Volvo’s “60” platform is the largest, widest, and important to this pick, the lowest wagon in its class by overall height, which at this point includes very little that is sold in the U.S. Volvo isn’t expecting the crossover- and sport/utility craze to turn soon – after all, the automaker makes bags of money on the XC90 and XC60 – but if anything on the road draws modern customers back to the station wagon, this will be the car.—TL

REVELATION: Will wagons make a comeback with non-enthusiasts? Judging from the number of them on the show floors, it certainly looks like the station wagon is staging a comeback. There’s the Buick Regal TourX, Mercedes-Benz E400 4Matic Wagon, and the Volvo V90 that all look good and give us fans some hope.—Ed Tahaney

OUTLOOK: Probably not. Buick insists on calling its Regal TourX wagon a “crossover/utility,” and it’s still not selling.

HIT: Lagonda Vision Concept Laser projection taillights, completely feasible for production. Lift up roof over rear seats. Electric vehicle possibilities emphasized. Car is length of Rolls-Royce Ghost, but with more interior space than the Phantom.—Robert Cumberford

MISS: Lagonda Vision Concept My first impression was, “nice lines, nice proportions.” But when the car spun on its turntable to where I could see two grownups lounging in the back seat, I couldn’t get it out of my head that this is a cartoonishly large car, especially for an Aston Martin.—TL

OUTLOOK: Some version of this must be headed to production . . .  . . . as long as Aston Martin calls it an “SUV.”

HIT: Porsche Mission E Cross Turismo Concept It looks like an electric concept that Porsche might have drawn back in the days of the original 901-model 911, with none of the bulky body heft of virtually every modern car. In that regard, it’s the opposite of both the Tesla Model X and the S.—TL

MISS: Porsche Mission E Cross Turismo Concept Huge knobby tires. It’s really a strange beast. Hard to grasp its place in the world.—RC

OUTLOOK: To be produced as a variant of the Porsche Taycan. Watch out, Tesla Model S and X.

MISS: Volkswagen I.D. Vizzion Concept Suicide doors and ultra-flush cabins are cool, but those features have also become a de rigueur part of self-driving concepts. The disappointing part is the adherence to three-box design and this concept’s more-than-striking resemblance to a Tesla Model S.—Basem Wasef

OUTLOOK: The I.D. Buzz deserves more buzz. The modern Microbus makes for a better VW EV.

HIT: Subaru Viziv Concept Subaru has been working up some really solid concepts of late, and the Viziv is the best yet, with angles in all the right places up front, chunky fender flares and a take on Subaru’s trademark hood scoop. It’s an aggressive, yet modern looking design that Subaru would be well advised to push out basically as-is.—MF

It used to be that Subaru would show a nicely designed concept predicting a future model, and then the realities of production would result in something less than handsome. But the latest Impreza and Crosstrek are reasonably attractive, and now it looks like the next WRX/STI might benefit from those compact models’ looks. Better news is that the Viziv Concept hints that the WRX/STI could be offered in wagon form again.—TL

MISS: Subaru VIZIV Concept Six-sided grille frame, five-sided wheel openings front and rear, three-side headlamp openings. Decent looking, but excessively complex surfaces, retro hood scoop, really convoluted lift gate shape.—RC

OUTLOOK: A WRX/STI worth waiting for, if they do end up looking similar. Yes, but do enthusiasts buy Subies for the looks?—MF

HIT: Cadillac XT4 Has there ever been a good small Cadillac? The former Standard of the World has been trying and failing for the better part of four decades, but it looks like they finally got it right. The XT4 is cute and playful, a little cheeky even, and yet it still has the dignity and stateliness of a proper Cadillac. The XT4 may prove to be t from Performance Junk Blogger Feed 4 http://bit.ly/2Ayuwdp via IFTTT

[eddiejpoplar]

The New-Car and Concept Hits, Misses, and Revelations from 2018

As usual, the 2018 auto shows in Detroit, Chicago, Geneva, New York, and Los Angeles got the staff to arguing about which new cars, trucks, SUVs, and concepts were hits, which were misses, and which had us scratching our heads. Here’s a look back at some of the highlights and lowlights of the past year, with prospects for those models and concepts in 2019 and beyond.

HIT: Genesis Essentia Concept And the winner of the “Wait, that’s a Hyundai?” award goes to this breathtakingly beautiful concept car. What a work of art.—Aaron Gold

Star of the New York show, and probably the auto show season. It’s exactly the sports grand touring (electric vehicle) design that Genesis needs in order to build up its luxury brand credibility.—Todd Lassa

OUTLOOK: Production by 2021 confirmed. Genesis’s limited production halo will be a purely electric sports car—not an SUV.

HIT: Infiniti Q Inspiration Concept It features Infiniti’s interesting VC-Turbo variable-compression engine technology, and if the next production Q70 ends up looking like the Q Inspiration, I won’t complain.—Mac Morrison

Beautiful, even if it does look like it cribbed a bit off the Porsche Mission E’s sheet. The only thing I don’t like about this car’s sleek, relatively understated styling is the unlikelihood that it will make it to production without a dozen added ungainly flourishes.—Nelson Ireson

Too bad it’s not the actual car, because with its mean, chunky mug, massive panoramic glass feature that extends down the back, its wide, sweeping rear end, and floating four-place seating and console, this is a package that shouts luxury and exudes future cool.—Mike Floyd

After generations of uninspired flagship sedans, the Q Inspiration’s cues promise a return to the spirit of the original Q45.—TL

OUTLOOK: An Infiniti flagship that looks something like this will come. And without the distinctive C-pillar “Nakamura kink” curlicue featured on all current models.

HIT: Lamborghini Urus I came into the Motor City prepared to write a half-dozen jokes at the Urus’s expense, but after seeing it in person, I’m smitten.—A.G.

MISS: Lamborghini Urus I can give the Urus a pass because Lamborghini has done an SUV before, but I can’t forgive its uninspired, Aventador nose on a Q7 body.—TL

OUTLOOK: Will outsell the LM002 by far. And a multitude of forthcoming variants and special editions will keep it at the top of Lambo’s charts for a long time.

REVELATION: Toyota Supra achieves the perfect balance Chief engineer Tetsuya Tada says a key goal of the new Supra was that it must achieve a perfect 50:50 front-to-rear weight balance. From the sound of it, the team has nailed the brief. The Supra will not come with a manual transmission, which is a surprise to virtually no one.—MF

OUTLOOK: The production Supra finally bows at the ’19 Detroit show. With Akio Toyoda in attendance.

HIT: Mercedes-Benz G-class Like Jeep’s Wrangler, it’s a serious throwback that now doesn’t always have to make you feel as though you just bought a used car from the mid-’90s. Expect to smile more than ever when you drive one, or see one coming your way.—MM

The ever-so-massaged styling keeps the former-generation’s rugged looks with some considerations given for new technology. Plus, the doors still have that military-grade sound when they shut.—Billy Rehbock

You might not be able to tell the new G Class is new at all if you only see it from the outside. The interior, on the other hand, is now much better executed, from ergonomics to materials to design. Too bad its starting price is more than a good annual salary.—NI

REVELATION: Dr. Z still likes Detroit Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche has a real fondness for The Motor City. He revealed the new Geländewagen at the historic Michigan Theater with erstwhile Hummer enthusiast/Governator/failed The Apprentice host Arnold Schwarzenegger.—TL

OUTLOOK: Mercedes will not attend the 2019 Detroit auto show. No Dieter Zetsche this year. But at least we have Akio Toyoda.

HIT: BMW X2 The slick new X2 is a refreshing break from the cookie-cutter SUVs—sorry, SAVs—we’re used to seeing under the Bimmer badge. Here, finally, is a BMW ute that manages to avoid both the frumpiness of the X3 and X5 and the silliness (and uselessness) of the X4 and X6.—AG

MISS: BMW X2 It looks like the designers were bored. So am I.—NI

OUTLOOK: Another Bimmer destined to cut into 3 Series sales. It’s a crossover. Of course it will cut into 3 Series sales.

HIT: Hyundai Veloster Hyundai’s next-generation Veloster is an evolutionary step in design and promises to be a genuine hot hatch. The N Performance model is particularly attractive with 275 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque sent through a six-speed manual.—BR

The Mark II Hyundai Veloster reminds me of the Mark II Honda CRX.—TL

HIT: Hyundai Veloster N Give us a simple car with a big engine and a buttoned-down suspension and chances are we’ll rave about it, because chances are it’ll be pretty darn good. If it doesn’t torque-steer like a lubed weasel, the Veloster N should be a gem.—AG

OUTLOOK: The Veloster N is a gem. After all these years, Hyundai has learned how to tune a chassis.

REVELATION: A Trumpchi by any other name GAC has committed to importing its first model, the three-row GS8 sport/utility, to the U.S. market by the fourth quarter of 2019.—TL

OUTLOOK: 50/50. Depends on whether President Trump or President Xi wins the trade war.

HIT: Volvo V60 station wagon The second car on Volvo’s “60” platform is the largest, widest, and important to this pick, the lowest wagon in its class by overall height, which at this point includes very little that is sold in the U.S. Volvo isn’t expecting the crossover- and sport/utility craze to turn soon – after all, the automaker makes bags of money on the XC90 and XC60 – but if anything on the road draws modern customers back to the station wagon, this will be the car.—TL

REVELATION: Will wagons make a comeback with non-enthusiasts? Judging from the number of them on the show floors, it certainly looks like the station wagon is staging a comeback. There’s the Buick Regal TourX, Mercedes-Benz E400 4Matic Wagon, and the Volvo V90 that all look good and give us fans some hope.—Ed Tahaney

OUTLOOK: Probably not. Buick insists on calling its Regal TourX wagon a “crossover/utility,” and it’s still not selling.

HIT: Lagonda Vision Concept Laser projection taillights, completely feasible for production. Lift up roof over rear seats. Electric vehicle possibilities emphasized. Car is length of Rolls-Royce Ghost, but with more interior space than the Phantom.—Robert Cumberford

MISS: Lagonda Vision Concept My first impression was, “nice lines, nice proportions.” But when the car spun on its turntable to where I could see two grownups lounging in the back seat, I couldn’t get it out of my head that this is a cartoonishly large car, especially for an Aston Martin.—TL

OUTLOOK: Some version of this must be headed to production . . .  . . . as long as Aston Martin calls it an “SUV.”

HIT: Porsche Mission E Cross Turismo Concept It looks like an electric concept that Porsche might have drawn back in the days of the original 901-model 911, with none of the bulky body heft of virtually every modern car. In that regard, it’s the opposite of both the Tesla Model X and the S.—TL

MISS: Porsche Mission E Cross Turismo Concept Huge knobby tires. It’s really a strange beast. Hard to grasp its place in the world.—RC

OUTLOOK: To be produced as a variant of the Porsche Taycan. Watch out, Tesla Model S and X.

MISS: Volkswagen I.D. Vizzion Concept Suicide doors and ultra-flush cabins are cool, but those features have also become a de rigueur part of self-driving concepts. The disappointing part is the adherence to three-box design and this concept’s more-than-striking resemblance to a Tesla Model S.—Basem Wasef

OUTLOOK: The I.D. Buzz deserves more buzz. The modern Microbus makes for a better VW EV.

HIT: Subaru Viziv Concept Subaru has been working up some really solid concepts of late, and the Viziv is the best yet, with angles in all the right places up front, chunky fender flares and a take on Subaru’s trademark hood scoop. It’s an aggressive, yet modern looking design that Subaru would be well advised to push out basically as-is.—MF

It used to be that Subaru would show a nicely designed concept predicting a future model, and then the realities of production would result in something less than handsome. But the latest Impreza and Crosstrek are reasonably attractive, and now it looks like the next WRX/STI might benefit from those compact models’ looks. Better news is that the Viziv Concept hints that the WRX/STI could be offered in wagon form again.—TL

MISS: Subaru VIZIV Concept Six-sided grille frame, five-sided wheel openings front and rear, three-side headlamp openings. Decent looking, but excessively complex surfaces, retro hood scoop, really convoluted lift gate shape.—RC

OUTLOOK: A WRX/STI worth waiting for, if they do end up looking similar. Yes, but do enthusiasts buy Subies for the looks?—MF

HIT: Cadillac XT4 Has there ever been a good small Cadillac? The former Standard of the World has been trying and failing for the better part of four decades, but it looks like they finally got it right. The XT4 is cute and playful, a little cheeky even, and yet it still has the dignity and stateliness of a proper Cadillac. The XT4 may prove to be t from Performance Junk Blogger 6 http://bit.ly/2Ayuwdp via IFTTT

[jesusvasser]

The New-Car and Concept Hits, Misses, and Revelations from 2018

As usual, the 2018 auto shows in Detroit, Chicago, Geneva, New York, and Los Angeles got the staff to arguing about which new cars, trucks, SUVs, and concepts were hits, which were misses, and which had us scratching our heads. Here’s a look back at some of the highlights and lowlights of the past year, with prospects for those models and concepts in 2019 and beyond.

HIT: Genesis Essentia Concept And the winner of the “Wait, that’s a Hyundai?” award goes to this breathtakingly beautiful concept car. What a work of art.—Aaron Gold

Star of the New York show, and probably the auto show season. It’s exactly the sports grand touring (electric vehicle) design that Genesis needs in order to build up its luxury brand credibility.—Todd Lassa

OUTLOOK: Production by 2021 confirmed. Genesis’s limited production halo will be a purely electric sports car—not an SUV.

HIT: Infiniti Q Inspiration Concept It features Infiniti’s interesting VC-Turbo variable-compression engine technology, and if the next production Q70 ends up looking like the Q Inspiration, I won’t complain.—Mac Morrison

Beautiful, even if it does look like it cribbed a bit off the Porsche Mission E’s sheet. The only thing I don’t like about this car’s sleek, relatively understated styling is the unlikelihood that it will make it to production without a dozen added ungainly flourishes.—Nelson Ireson

Too bad it’s not the actual car, because with its mean, chunky mug, massive panoramic glass feature that extends down the back, its wide, sweeping rear end, and floating four-place seating and console, this is a package that shouts luxury and exudes future cool.—Mike Floyd

After generations of uninspired flagship sedans, the Q Inspiration’s cues promise a return to the spirit of the original Q45.—TL

OUTLOOK: An Infiniti flagship that looks something like this will come. And without the distinctive C-pillar “Nakamura kink” curlicue featured on all current models.

HIT: Lamborghini Urus I came into the Motor City prepared to write a half-dozen jokes at the Urus’s expense, but after seeing it in person, I’m smitten.—A.G.

MISS: Lamborghini Urus I can give the Urus a pass because Lamborghini has done an SUV before, but I can’t forgive its uninspired, Aventador nose on a Q7 body.—TL

OUTLOOK: Will outsell the LM002 by far. And a multitude of forthcoming variants and special editions will keep it at the top of Lambo’s charts for a long time.

REVELATION: Toyota Supra achieves the perfect balance Chief engineer Tetsuya Tada says a key goal of the new Supra was that it must achieve a perfect 50:50 front-to-rear weight balance. From the sound of it, the team has nailed the brief. The Supra will not come with a manual transmission, which is a surprise to virtually no one.—MF

OUTLOOK: The production Supra finally bows at the ’19 Detroit show. With Akio Toyoda in attendance.

HIT: Mercedes-Benz G-class Like Jeep’s Wrangler, it’s a serious throwback that now doesn’t always have to make you feel as though you just bought a used car from the mid-’90s. Expect to smile more than ever when you drive one, or see one coming your way.—MM

The ever-so-massaged styling keeps the former-generation’s rugged looks with some considerations given for new technology. Plus, the doors still have that military-grade sound when they shut.—Billy Rehbock

You might not be able to tell the new G Class is new at all if you only see it from the outside. The interior, on the other hand, is now much better executed, from ergonomics to materials to design. Too bad its starting price is more than a good annual salary.—NI

REVELATION: Dr. Z still likes Detroit Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche has a real fondness for The Motor City. He revealed the new Geländewagen at the historic Michigan Theater with erstwhile Hummer enthusiast/Governator/failed The Apprentice host Arnold Schwarzenegger.—TL

OUTLOOK: Mercedes will not attend the 2019 Detroit auto show. No Dieter Zetsche this year. But at least we have Akio Toyoda.

HIT: BMW X2 The slick new X2 is a refreshing break from the cookie-cutter SUVs—sorry, SAVs—we’re used to seeing under the Bimmer badge. Here, finally, is a BMW ute that manages to avoid both the frumpiness of the X3 and X5 and the silliness (and uselessness) of the X4 and X6.—AG

MISS: BMW X2 It looks like the designers were bored. So am I.—NI

OUTLOOK: Another Bimmer destined to cut into 3 Series sales. It’s a crossover. Of course it will cut into 3 Series sales.

HIT: Hyundai Veloster Hyundai’s next-generation Veloster is an evolutionary step in design and promises to be a genuine hot hatch. The N Performance model is particularly attractive with 275 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque sent through a six-speed manual.—BR

The Mark II Hyundai Veloster reminds me of the Mark II Honda CRX.—TL

HIT: Hyundai Veloster N Give us a simple car with a big engine and a buttoned-down suspension and chances are we’ll rave about it, because chances are it’ll be pretty darn good. If it doesn’t torque-steer like a lubed weasel, the Veloster N should be a gem.—AG

OUTLOOK: The Veloster N is a gem. After all these years, Hyundai has learned how to tune a chassis.

REVELATION: A Trumpchi by any other name GAC has committed to importing its first model, the three-row GS8 sport/utility, to the U.S. market by the fourth quarter of 2019.—TL

OUTLOOK: 50/50. Depends on whether President Trump or President Xi wins the trade war.

HIT: Volvo V60 station wagon The second car on Volvo’s “60” platform is the largest, widest, and important to this pick, the lowest wagon in its class by overall height, which at this point includes very little that is sold in the U.S. Volvo isn’t expecting the crossover- and sport/utility craze to turn soon – after all, the automaker makes bags of money on the XC90 and XC60 – but if anything on the road draws modern customers back to the station wagon, this will be the car.—TL

REVELATION: Will wagons make a comeback with non-enthusiasts? Judging from the number of them on the show floors, it certainly looks like the station wagon is staging a comeback. There’s the Buick Regal TourX, Mercedes-Benz E400 4Matic Wagon, and the Volvo V90 that all look good and give us fans some hope.—Ed Tahaney

OUTLOOK: Probably not. Buick insists on calling its Regal TourX wagon a “crossover/utility,” and it’s still not selling.

HIT: Lagonda Vision Concept Laser projection taillights, completely feasible for production. Lift up roof over rear seats. Electric vehicle possibilities emphasized. Car is length of Rolls-Royce Ghost, but with more interior space than the Phantom.—Robert Cumberford

MISS: Lagonda Vision Concept My first impression was, “nice lines, nice proportions.” But when the car spun on its turntable to where I could see two grownups lounging in the back seat, I couldn’t get it out of my head that this is a cartoonishly large car, especially for an Aston Martin.—TL

OUTLOOK: Some version of this must be headed to production . . .  . . . as long as Aston Martin calls it an “SUV.”

HIT: Porsche Mission E Cross Turismo Concept It looks like an electric concept that Porsche might have drawn back in the days of the original 901-model 911, with none of the bulky body heft of virtually every modern car. In that regard, it’s the opposite of both the Tesla Model X and the S.—TL

MISS: Porsche Mission E Cross Turismo Concept Huge knobby tires. It’s really a strange beast. Hard to grasp its place in the world.—RC

OUTLOOK: To be produced as a variant of the Porsche Taycan. Watch out, Tesla Model S and X.

MISS: Volkswagen I.D. Vizzion Concept Suicide doors and ultra-flush cabins are cool, but those features have also become a de rigueur part of self-driving concepts. The disappointing part is the adherence to three-box design and this concept’s more-than-striking resemblance to a Tesla Model S.—Basem Wasef

OUTLOOK: The I.D. Buzz deserves more buzz. The modern Microbus makes for a better VW EV.

HIT: Subaru Viziv Concept Subaru has been working up some really solid concepts of late, and the Viziv is the best yet, with angles in all the right places up front, chunky fender flares and a take on Subaru’s trademark hood scoop. It’s an aggressive, yet modern looking design that Subaru would be well advised to push out basically as-is.—MF

It used to be that Subaru would show a nicely designed concept predicting a future model, and then the realities of production would result in something less than handsome. But the latest Impreza and Crosstrek are reasonably attractive, and now it looks like the next WRX/STI might benefit from those compact models’ looks. Better news is that the Viziv Concept hints that the WRX/STI could be offered in wagon form again.—TL

MISS: Subaru VIZIV Concept Six-sided grille frame, five-sided wheel openings front and rear, three-side headlamp openings. Decent looking, but excessively complex surfaces, retro hood scoop, really convoluted lift gate shape.—RC

OUTLOOK: A WRX/STI worth waiting for, if they do end up looking similar. Yes, but do enthusiasts buy Subies for the looks?—MF

HIT: Cadillac XT4 Has there ever been a good small Cadillac? The former Standard of the World has been trying and failing for the better part of four decades, but it looks like they finally got it right. The XT4 is cute and playful, a little cheeky even, and yet it still has the dignity and stateliness of a proper Cadillac. The XT4 may prove to be t from Performance Junk WP Feed 4 http://bit.ly/2Ayuwdp via IFTTT