Dude, we can't quite decide whether the grille should be placed high or low... but don't worry, we'll just do both!

That was my initial reaction to the AutoWeek cover shot of the 2013 Toyota Avalon

Is it just me, or does it look like the design committee couldn't agree where to put the grille, so they threw in two?

Experience the radically new, radically disturbing Avalon!


Hat tip: BadBlue Car News.

How many 22-year old cars still look modern and up-to-date in 2012?

Go back in time 22 years, say to 1989. Which car -- make and model -- could still be sold today without any cosmetic changes whatsoever?* Before you scroll down, take a guess: I think only one vehicle passes muster.

To stir your memory a bit, consider the following vehicles from the 1990 model year.

*Ignoring the massive books of new regulations, of course, which multiply like weeds and govern every aspect of our lives -- from shower-heads to bumper designs, to the size of toilet tanks to the kinds of light bulbs you are allowed to buy.

Well, this is a sweet unit. If you ever wondered how GM melted down, consider the following three words: Fake. Wood. Paneling.

This high-end Audi looks a little more modern than the wagon, but it still doesn't come close to today's sleek designs.

This Cadillac was another victim of a slow-moving company that punched out angular cars that looked boxes, only not as sexy.

The design of this subcompact hatchback was a bit ahead of its time, but certainly couldn't compete against its modern competition: the Toyota Yaris, the Nissan Versa, the Mini Cooper, etc.

People who owned these vehicles hated them. Slightly less reliable than the Hindenberg, these Jettas were mechanical disasters and looked like someone slapped wheels on a refrigerator. Rumor has it the body was made entirely of compressed rust.

So what's the answer? Try this bad boy:



I believe this vehicle -- the 1990 Nissan 300ZX -- would still sell well today.

Which is a real testament to its designers.


Images: Edmunds.com.

Question: What Happens When an Apartment Complex Catches on Fire in Thomas Friedman's Utopia? Answer: Ka-F***ing-Boom!

Thomas Friedman has a curious hankering for installing Red China's government here in the U.S.. He thinks that will make things run more smoothly. Like the trains, perhaps. He also thinks that we could become "greener", just like China.

ChinaHush offers another take on Friedman's Utopia. A recent apartment fire in Shanghai resulted in an unknown number of deaths (probably dozens) and injuries.

The root causes aren't just the bizarre, lax building codes (likely related to bribes more than standards), though they certainly played a part. Consider the response of the authorities.

Fire broke out at a 28 story apartment building in Shanghai at 2:00 in the afternoon, Nov15 (local time) causing at least 49 deaths.

The building was located at Jing An district and was under renovation. According to Xinhua’s report, over 100 were rescued out of the building of 156 households so far.

Well-known Chinese youth opinion leader Han Han happened to be at the scene and he had recorded what happened the whole time.



15:31, after one hour and 15 minutes, there was only one water hose. Until 16:20, there was only one water hose in this direction.

It took in excess of two hours and 20 minutes to get more than a single fire hose on-scene.

Thomas Friedman is a jackass.


Related:
• The Apple iPad, Slavery and Tom Friedman
• Thomas Friedman: a Crazed Sex Poodle Pining for China's Government Here in the United States

Quite the architectural debut

Trendir has a spectacular gallery of photos of a luxurious new home in Kuala Lampur.

This luxury house is quite the debut for Paris firm Jouin Manku, which was commissioned along with architecture firm YTL Design Group to take on this large-scale integrated architectural and interior design project...

...This modern home was the first of Jouin Manku’s architectural designs to be built, and talk about first impressions!

...Just when you thought this contemporary house didn’t have any more to offer, you’re surprised to find nine bedrooms, two dens, a family kitchen and a private dining area, a private library, a game room, a study, a foyer, a formal dining room, a ballroom, a chapel, 21 bathrooms, a swimming pool, indoor parking, two guest suites and guest parking...

You won't believe the home's fascinating and unique design characteristics.