The Wide-Hip Syndrome in Automotive Design
March 15, 2006 – 9:27 am by Dan Volkens
Filed under Design Reviews
Say what? Yeah, you may have never heard it coined like that before. I’m talking about cars whose body sits much wider than its wheels and tires. So when you look at it from the front or back… you guessed it.. it looks like it has wide hips.
Picture a rather large man/woman wearing tiny black shoes. Get it now? The body panels bulge out much wider than the wheels. Now I understand that on most automobile types, there’s going to be some overhang. But keeping it minimal is key.
When the wheels and body panels are lined up as closely as possible, it creates cleaner lines on the vehicle and gives it a stable, sporty flair. That’s what I love about German automotive design. You don’t typically find the Wide-Hip Syndrome on these babies. Clean, minimalistic, Bauhaus. The wheel and body meet together in perfect harmony.
For example:
See the difference? The Toyota Solara’s sides are widest around the upper tip of its rear bumper, and then the line swings inward as you follow it down to the wheels. The Volkswagen Jetta is just about widest at the wheels, and then slants inward as the line flows upwards. Notice how the Volkswagen looks more solid, stable and athletic versus the Toyota. It’s subtleties such as these that make or break a car’s overall design appeal.
Is your car fighting the battle of the bulge?
The Wide-Hip Syndrome in Automotive Design
March 15, 2006 – 9:27 am by Dan Volkens
Glad to see that VW’s kept that sturdy stance despite the redesign. I wonder how they compare in trunk space? I’ve heard there’a clamor in the market for larger storage areas, but don’t make it THAT obvious. I don’t think too many folks are gonna look at a car and say “Oh my gosh, that trunk must be huge! Honey, let’s buy one!!!”
Hey Toyota! How ’bout keeping the Solara away from the Krispy Kremes?
I know exactly what you mean! I love that about VWs. Even Mk3s had the same thing going on. The fender flaring around the wheel wells is another design element in VWs and other German cars that creates the same feelings of stability and athleticism.