The case of a Euro-Jap link and a confident Japanese

People say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Well, take compare the silhouette of the new 8th generation Honda Accord against the E60 generation BMW 5 series. From the pulled back headlamps to the Hoffmeister kink, even the tail lamps share the same signature design themes of the 5-series.



I shall leave all vehicle focused comments to Chips Yap , one of the most respectable and professional auto journalist I have ever come across. It is pointless for me to comment further on the car itself as I can’t do a better job than him.

Also, do take note while the Japan and USA market sells a different Camry from Asian markets, Honda uses for the same Accord for both USA and Asian markets. (European versions of Accord are only similar in name). Note the way to spot a USDM market Accord and a Asian Accord. The differences is in the tail lamp and headlamp clusters. USDM Accords have amber turn signals while Asian versions have clear lenses. Asian Accord have a slightly different tail lamp extensions as well.
 
 
USDM versions on the top and Asian versions below. (Images courtesy of AutoWorld)

5 years ago, when Chris Bangle penned down the designs of the controversial E65 / E66 7 series and E60 5 series, flame wars and hate mails were stroked on the Internet. There were even furious exchange of e-mails by BMW loyalists who do not like their timeless classic designs of BMW being tampered with by the American Methodist-preacher turned car designer. But he was determined to stick on with the controversial quantum-leap direction of his designs, or as he calls it “flame surfacing.”

With the support of BMW’s board to bring the brand to the next level for the 21st century market, Chris was adamant that while his designs are a little ahead of its time, he strongly believes that it will be the only way to harmonize the conflicting requirement of maintaining the right proportions to accommodate increasingly large passengers (it has been noted that the average size of humans have increased), the demand for larger interior space and but yet is strong enough to pass increasingly tough crash safety regulations. 5 years down the road, every other limousine from Mercedes S-class to the Lexus LS 460 all feature variations of the “duck-tailed” boot-lid pioneered by BMW. Even the Asian version of the Camry too features similar elements on its boot lid.

This is the culture of BMW that I respect. They are pioneers and never followers. The management of BMW gives free rein to its staff to do what is deemed necessary for the long term. Sometimes, they do things that are counter-intuitive, even to the extent of angering your loyal customers. But as with all things pioneer, sometimes you hit it sometimes you don’t. The i-Drive controls are a miss, but the concept remains a success nonetheless, with every other luxury manufacturer following suit.

Anyway, back to the Japs. While I reckon that the Accord is an excellent car in its own right, it is not my sort of a sedan. Even though I respect the values of the Honda brand (i.e. racing spirit, innovation challenging soul etc. as opposed to the clinical soulless large corporation style Toyota.), my personal choice would be another Japanese marque; the Mazda 6.



Mazda is one of the most under-rated brands in the world. And I liked it that way. Nobody carjacks a Mazda anyway!

Mazda’s built quality is superb, if not better than Toyota or Honda. And the driving experience is on another league compared to the Honda Accord or even the Toyota Camry. Think of it as a Japanese BMW. I also liked the fact that the Mazda is some sort of an acquired taste. The regular crowd-follower Joe might scoff at my choice, but it’s one of those things that you smile to yourself oblivious to what others say about you, knowing that you have a secret – that you know something others don’t. That you are able to appreciate something the herd mentality crowd of Honda and Toyota drivers can never understand. Mazda drivers are intelligent, understatedly cool, confident, and have nothing to prove. As opposed to the middle-management crowd of Toyota and Honda drivers with their over-sized egos and the need to prove themselves.

The Camry’s (Asian Camry) design come across to me a bit trying too hard, with strong cues from German marques, particularly at the rear end. Same thing goes to the new Accord. But the new Mazda 6 embraces its Japanese heritage and makes no apologies for it. It knows its own identity and builds on it. Never trying to follow others, nor trying too hard to be something it isn’t. Sums it all for a Mazda 6 driver doesn’t it?