LA Times: 12 Vehicle Designs that Most Influence Today's Cars

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Washington DC October 10. 2008
AIADA Newsletter

Have you ever noticed that many new cars look suspiciously alike? On closer examination, you may be able to differentiate one from another – the badge, a grille, the unique hood design, etc.

The L.A. Times has compiled a list of 12 vehicles that have had the greatest influence on more recent popular car categories.

One of them is the 1990 Mazda Miata MX-5. The Miata is the direct forebearer to every compact sports roadster of today - Z3, Z4, Boxster, Solstice, Sky. Today it is still the segment leader.

Also on the list of most influential designs is the 1990 Honda Accord.

The essential, game-changing, reliable Japanese sedan, the Honda Accord offers unrivaled affordability and reliability that still hooks almost half a million sedan buyers every year. In fact, it's pretty consistently the bestselling car in North America.

In the hatchback category the 1983 Volkswagen GTI takes the prize.

The almost immorally fun GTI spawned imitators from around the globe - including the Honda CRX and the Dodge Omni GLH. The GTI is still available today but, like any aging champ, is hindered by weight and a high sticker price.

For all 12 ground breaking designs, CLICK HERE.