PETALING JAYA: When the CarSifu team is not testing new cars or motorcycles or covering the car industry, it will always find something else to do. Well, this is one of the moments when our minds wander to what the best-looking grilles are.
Beauty, as they say, lies in the eye of the beholder. What is listed is subjective, so feel free to agree or disagree.
Here, in no particular order, are the seven car grilles we like.
The Peugeot 308 grille of 2011
Looks aggressive and sporty, we might say ala Aston Martin-style. Elevates the compact hatch above the ordinary.
Renault Fluence new ‘Passion for Life’ grille
There’s no complication here. Simple, clean lines make for a desirable signature look that should stand the test of time.
Kia Rio’s Tiger nose grille
It lends KIA a clear distinction for its identity (regardless of its variations) and has to be one of the most uniquely styled grilles ever created by Peter Schreyer.
Maserati GT and the oval grille
Simplistic in its design - almost unimaginative, yet there’s a certain sense of natural fluidity, power and strength that catches the eye when crowned at the centre with the company’s trident logo, which pays tribute to the Fountain of Neptune in Bologna’s Piazza Maggiore, where the company originated.
Current 508 Peugeot
The latest 508 moves away from the pre-facelift 508 which has an aggressive gaping mouth look. With a narrower design with horizontal slats, the grille throttles down on the sporty demeanour for elegance and upmarket feel.
Alfa Romeo 159 (from 2004-2011)
If the Alfa Romeo 159 executive sedan was a suit, it would be the sharpest threads on the block. The V-shaped grille is a fashion accessory like a stripped neck tie and heads will turn wherever it goes.
Mercedes-Benz 190E (W201)
This rectangular grille with the free-standing three-pointed star logo is immediately recognisable and in a word, classic (this model was produced between 1982 -1993). It matches perfectly with the equally rectangular headlamps making for a uniform and functional design of the front fascia.
So there you have it. Seven car grilles we are hot about.
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