People Like Their Cars Angry

Geometric morphometrics and pareidolia. These aren’t terms that generally matter to automotive designers or buyers, but they were essential in a study that found that not only do people see faces when they look at cars, they generally prefer ones that exude power.

Pareidolia is a phenomenon in which people see faces in everything from inkblots to clouds to cars. Researchers based their study around this concept and used geometric morphometrics to allow participants to rank cars on how they appeared, using human traits like sad, disgusted or extroverted.

The study’s results pretty much confirmed that all people like powerful-looking cars, like the BMW 5 Series, while they shy away from feeble-looking designs, like the Toyota Prius.

We’re not sure if this is the future of designing cars, but it probably means we’ll be looking at more big-mouthed grilles in the future.

People love angry-faced cars (MSNBC.com)

Comments

[Cj]

There a lot of people that I know that aren't "car people" that love Acura's new controversial grills. I guess big grills are "in". Another example would be the controversial big mouth Audi grills.

I cant really stand Acuras new grilles, looks like the Honda/Acura designers just ran outta ideas and decided to slap somthin on the car. the new BMW 5-series though, i really like the rear-ends on those cars, kinda reminds me of iron mans helmet, or some pissed off robot.

[J]

I would take cute over angry anyday. I've seen enough angry faced people everyday already.

[DL]

that's why you need to push the angry face of your car right up the rear end of the car in front of you and show them your tough side! j/k

remember when the Neon first came out with its "cute" ads with a big "Hi" on top? that image sold for a little while.

the Jag XF looks pretty angry too, although i liked the concept better when it was even angrier.

[Ken L.]

The automobile has always been an extension of your personality; so, you are what you drive.