Z28 to Get HUGE Air Scoop
We stumbled upon GM's NA VP of Design Bryan Nesbitt in a small, windowless room semi-populated by a brown-nose of bloggers (infiltrated by TTAC in search of free food). Justin and I arrived just in time to hear Nesbitt explain why station wagons are cool in Europe: because everything is smaller there and they shop more often and something about old guys not hang-gliding off of Mont Blanc. Anyway, the confab broke-up and I asked Nesbitt what he thought of fake hood scoops. After a moment of PR-related facial rictus, Nesbitt said he didn't personally like them, but you gotta keep the customer satisfied. Hence the new Z28 Camaro will have a massive [functional] hood scoop. Yes, but what of the Pontiac G8 faux intake? Nesbitt said that GM's design studio is at the mercy of its customers, specifically dealers demanding extra bling. For example, Lund Cadillac Hummer Saab (Phoenix) retrofitting the 9-7x with a 3X-sized Saab badge, telling Nesbitt to get with the program (sacrilege!). Nesbitt admitted that a large part of his job is making the best of an ugly situation. "I may not like Hawaiian shirts, but I can make sure it looks as good and fits as well as it can." Let's call it aloha aesthetics.
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I wish more of the management was so honest and straight forward. Good for him! I'm an American and I like sport wagons... GM? And small cars. And smallish camper vans. And GOOD small engines... GM? Hello?
Many folks have a lousy perspective when it comes to discerning integrity and false pride. I think its false pride that results in tasteless bling. Although bling can be inspiring and motivational, even its only a shadow of elegance and finese or whatever. No body is perfect. I like the article and its contents. As long as I now and/or learn better, the world is a better place. Thank you god.
I happen to agree with this opinion of large hood scoops.