Home > The Evolution of Trim,
19th November 2009
Okay this might not be the most riveting automotive subject
or article ever written, but it's just an observation
which is waiting to be pointed out. So here goes. I'll
keep it brief.
Over the years cars have changed in innumerable ways.
And just like fashion, automobile design likes to follow
trends. Sure there are some manufacturers who like to
cut their own path - and more power to these innovators.
But any time these pioneers come up with something which
sets them apart and appeals to the masses, everyone else
jumps on the bandwagon.
Even something as innocuous as exterior trim goes though
these ever changing cycles.
In the beginning most trim elements, grilles, door handles,
window surrounds etc. were finished in chrome. If they
weren't chrome then that meant they'd fallen off.
Then one day someone decided that swathes of matt black
plastic looked good tacked on all over the bodywork so
that became the 'in thing' for a while.
The 90s saw the widespread adoption of color coded trim
which meant that the door handles and bumpers better matched
the overall appearance of the car.
Then Audi decided to bring chrome back and started slapping
it all over their performance models like the RS4 and
others. It looked good, so after a year or two many other
manufacturers said to themselves; "Hey chrome's back,
lets do it too."
The latest trend to appear - which actually appeared first
with domestic electronic products like TV's and stereo
systems - is a tendency towards gloss black trim. As evidenced
by the vehicles like the Seat Ibiza Bocanegra.
Nobody knows what the next trim fad's going to be. Personally
I think a subtle brushed titanium look would be pretty
stylish if used on the right car.
All text © diseno-art.com 2009
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