Humans often find beauty in symmetry. Some say it’s because we have an innate need to create order, or because we associate it with health and efficiency. Think of the massive stone statues in Egypt, which showcase an astounding amount of symmetry. Who would waste all that time making the carving’s face perfectly symmetrical if it wasn’t important?
Symmetry has also made its way into car design since the dawn of the automobile. Think of how a typical car looks. It has two headlights, two wheels on each side, and the right side usually matches the left, save for very minor details like a single exhaust pipe or a steering wheel. However, some automakers have produced cars that were decidedly asymmetrical for reasons such as performance, aesthetics, or a plain “make-it-work” attitude.
The tables found below cover the model’s entry-level powertrain specs. The model years shown below mark the years that carried asymmetrical styling.
Mercedes-Benz 300TD
1988–1995
|
Engine |
3.0L turbocharged inline-six diesel |
|---|---|
|
Horsepower |
147 hp |
|
Torque |
201 lb-ft |
Kicking off our list is one of the most reliable cars ever to grace the earth’s asphalt. The Mercedes-Benz 300TD carried the legendary OM-family diesel engine under its hood. The turbocharged iteration was introduced in 1979, four years after the 300D entered the fold.
However, by 1988, Mercedes-Benz decided the mill needed a little extra cooling, since its turbo was getting so hot. To solve the issue, a single vent was machined into the model’s right-hand fender, without a matching one on the left. The vent fed cold air directly to the air cleaner, and turbos like cold, dense air.
Nissan Cube
2002–2014
|
Engine |
1.8L NA inline-four |
|---|---|
|
Horsepower |
122 hp |
|
Torque |
127 lb-ft |
The Nissan Cube hit the US market at the end of the 2000s, after being sold in Japan since 1998. At the time, the United States was enjoying a wave of square, toaster-shaped cars, as they’d been in fashion for a short time. Models like the Kia Soul and the Scion xB were also around at this time. Only the Cube boasted a strange styling cue. Its rear windows were different on either side: the right side featured a wraparound look, while the left didn’t. This was due to the large, side-hinged rear tailgate.
Hyundai Veloster
2011–2022
|
Engine |
1.6L NA inline-four |
|---|---|
|
Horsepower |
138 hp |
|
Torque |
123 lb-ft |
The Veloster was Hyundai’s sporty hatchback, in production from 2011 to 2022. At first, it was a popular little car, but over time, the sales began to decline sharply, leading to its axing 11 years after the model’s debut. Throughout its tenure spanning two generations, it carried a unique stylistic cue: different doors.
On the driver’s side, there was just one large door, as you’d find on a coupe. However, on its passenger side were two smaller doors, much like a sedan. This was done to mimic the look of a coupe, while also providing some of the practicality expected of a sedan or larger hatchback.
BMW X Coupe Concept
2001
|
Engine |
3.0L turbocharged inline-six diesel |
|---|---|
|
Horsepower |
184 hp |
|
Torque |
332 lb-ft |
In 2001, BMW unveiled something of a curveball: the X Coupe Concept. The public first saw the thing at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, and it was produced as a contrast to the BMW Z9 concept vehicle lineup.
While the X Coupe Concept was never meant for mass production, its main purpose was to show the world where the Bavarian automaker wanted to take its design language over the coming years. Apparently, this meant designing an asymmetrical rear hatch that hinged only on the right side of the car. Why? Well, since it’s a design concept, the better question is: why not?
Renault 4
1961–1992
|
Engine |
0.7L NA inline-four |
|---|---|
|
Horsepower |
24 hp |
|
Torque |
31 lb-ft |
You can’t see why theRenault 4 makes it onto our list just by looking at it; you have to get underneath the body to figure it out. While it appears normal, the Renault 4 actually has an asymmetrical wheelbase, with one side slightly ahead of the other by about 1.5 inches.
The reason behind the strange design was the pursuit of comfort. Its designers wanted to use a torsion-bar suspension with frame-width reach. To make this possible, the frame was staggered so the bars wouldn’t overlap. It ended up working well, and the Renault 4 is well-known for its extremely comfy ride, alongside, of course, its weird wheelbase.
Read the full article on CarBuzz
This article originally appeared on CarBuzz and is republished here with permission.
Read the full article here