Scion xB Owners Are Happy As Can Be
Thread Starter
Founder
SL Member
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 4,281
From: scionlife.com
Scion xB Owners Are Happy As Can Be
Retro Is Evil, Detroit Designers Say
http://www.globalauto.net/index.php?...d=413&Itemid=2
http://www.globalauto.net/index.php?...d=413&Itemid=2
Dipping back into the past can be a turn-off, according to a panel of leading Motor City designers – who have other ideas.
DETROIT – Retro is "an evil word in design," says Ralph Gilles, Chrysler Group vice-president of Jeep, truck, and component design, who led a panel discussion here on Tuesday with some of the top automotive designers in the country.
Instead of leaning heavily on the retro playbook, Gilles said a new tactic may be emerging at Chrysler. "Sometimes the exterior may not be the place to change," he said. "We're looking at refreshing the interiors of vehicles more often."
Gilles described himself as a "private worshipper of the [Scion] xB." "The people who do buy these are as happy as can be," he said.
"At Ford, we don't use the word 'retro,' we use 'heritage,' " said Pat Schiavone, Ford North American Car director of design. "I don't believe all designs will be heritage. Heritage will be important for American companies, but there is a place for futuristic design—not just for Boomers having a midlife crisis."
The designers shared the latest in studio slang, including words like "craptastic" and "unobtainium." Craptastic is "the quality of being fundamentally awful despite being well presented," said Kevin George, a Ford design manager. Unobtainium, they explained, is a "mythical material made up of super strength."
DETROIT – Retro is "an evil word in design," says Ralph Gilles, Chrysler Group vice-president of Jeep, truck, and component design, who led a panel discussion here on Tuesday with some of the top automotive designers in the country.
Instead of leaning heavily on the retro playbook, Gilles said a new tactic may be emerging at Chrysler. "Sometimes the exterior may not be the place to change," he said. "We're looking at refreshing the interiors of vehicles more often."
Gilles described himself as a "private worshipper of the [Scion] xB." "The people who do buy these are as happy as can be," he said.
"At Ford, we don't use the word 'retro,' we use 'heritage,' " said Pat Schiavone, Ford North American Car director of design. "I don't believe all designs will be heritage. Heritage will be important for American companies, but there is a place for futuristic design—not just for Boomers having a midlife crisis."
The designers shared the latest in studio slang, including words like "craptastic" and "unobtainium." Craptastic is "the quality of being fundamentally awful despite being well presented," said Kevin George, a Ford design manager. Unobtainium, they explained, is a "mythical material made up of super strength."
Senior Member
Scion Justice League of America
SL Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 5,594
From: Portland, Oregon
Golly.... they are slow to learn... Interiors People, INTERIORS! That's why I loved my VW's and That's why I love my Scions. and why I dread cheap interiored american cars.
Senior Member
SL Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,087
From: Bloomington, MN
Originally Posted by WeDriveScions
Golly.... they are slow to learn... Interiors People, INTERIORS! That's why I loved my VW's and That's why I love my Scions. and why I dread cheap interiored american cars.
im gunna hafta disagree,,, i do love my scion alot... but i wouldent say that the interiors are very good (there nice) but compared to other cars its pretty crappy... mostly everything is cheap plastic... the seats arent that soft... its like a rental car
again... this is just my opinion
after reading imy post i sfeel is hould clarify my point... the interiors LOOK cool... but when you get down too it there pretty cheap
Senior Member
SL Member
Scion Evolution
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 4,402
From: Cucamonga, CA RT66
Originally Posted by Flecs
Originally Posted by WeDriveScions
Golly.... they are slow to learn... Interiors People, INTERIORS! That's why I loved my VW's and That's why I love my Scions. and why I dread cheap interiored american cars.
im gunna hafta disagree,,, i do love my scion alot... but i wouldent say that the interiors are very good (there nice) but compared to other cars its pretty crappy... mostly everything is cheap plastic... the seats arent that soft... its like a rental car
again... this is just my opinion
after reading imy post i sfeel is hould clarify my point... the interiors LOOK cool... but when you get down too it there pretty cheap
Admin Emeritus
SL Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 14,570
From: University Place, WA
The xBs may have inexpensive interiors, but the look and feel of them is very good for an econo-box. Most important, though, are the actual ergonomics and layout (except for the original head units with buttons for volume...).
I've had new (American) cars that made me want to apologize for the interiors to passengers. I don't have that feeling with the xB.
Could they be nicer? Of course! But for the price they are well done.
What amazes me is a GVP of Daimler/Chrysler being open enough to compliment our little boxes like that.
I've had new (American) cars that made me want to apologize for the interiors to passengers. I don't have that feeling with the xB.
Could they be nicer? Of course! But for the price they are well done.
What amazes me is a GVP of Daimler/Chrysler being open enough to compliment our little boxes like that.
Senior Member
SL Member
Team N.V.S.
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 13,706
From: Sacramento, CA / Nor*Cal
Originally Posted by Flecs
Originally Posted by WeDriveScions
Golly.... they are slow to learn... Interiors People, INTERIORS! That's why I loved my VW's and That's why I love my Scions. and why I dread cheap interiored american cars.
im gunna hafta disagree,,, i do love my scion alot... but i wouldent say that the interiors are very good (there nice) but compared to other cars its pretty crappy... mostly everything is cheap plastic... the seats arent that soft... its like a rental car
again... this is just my opinion
after reading imy post i sfeel is hould clarify my point... the interiors LOOK cool... but when you get down too it there pretty cheap
Senior Member
SL Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 466
From: Suburban Philadelphia
I really think the Chrysler guy's comment had more to do with ergonomics and efficient use of space than with materials.
The point is that the Box is designed from the inside out. Passenger space, ingress/egress, headroom, etc. are not compromised in order to accommodate exterior styling cues that have no impact on the experience of actually driving and riding in the car.
It is this aspect of the xB's design that I most admire as well, and it's why I bought one.
RichC
The point is that the Box is designed from the inside out. Passenger space, ingress/egress, headroom, etc. are not compromised in order to accommodate exterior styling cues that have no impact on the experience of actually driving and riding in the car.
It is this aspect of the xB's design that I most admire as well, and it's why I bought one.
RichC
Member
SL Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 51
I had read in a few places that the xb interior was cheap and plastic....But I don't agree with that. All econo cars seem to have plastic inside. Have you been in a ford focus?? Now thats plastic. I read the mazda 3 and 5 have "refined" interiors....but the ones I sat in had hard black plastic everywhere. I like the pebbly "plastic" inside the xb. I love the cloth in the door armrests. And for me, 5-10 165, the seats are as comfy as any i've sat in.....and what seat dosent start to hurt your butt after a lengthy drive or flight? I love the seating position and the support. I just don't think "cheap" when i'm inside my box.
Senior Member
SL Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 106
From: Santa Clarita, California
What rusty door thing? I need info!
In short, they've been finding rust under the door gasket on a number of boxes in Hawaii. I haven't checked the thread recenly, so this might've changed, but last I saw it seemed to only really be a problem there. But again that might've changed.
As to the original topic of this thread -- Great quote! Thanks for sharing.
Senior Member
SL Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 820
From: TX
I got to say dug that interior is off the hook! but ya back to my point, ya sure other cars are nice and soft but thats because in a few years it will be like sitting on a bean bag full of nothing. I love 
the rigidity of the scion it gives it a comfortable, supporting, and LASTING feel.
the rigidity of the scion it gives it a comfortable, supporting, and LASTING feel.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Sparks_Scion_TRD_Parts
Exclusive Sponsored Sales
0
Dec 22, 2014 05:32 PM
minter66
PPC: Vehicles
0
Dec 15, 2014 01:45 PM
