As with any type of design, its appeal is always subjective. Sure, there are generally accepted vehicle facades that we all find attractive, and there are others that are extremely polarizing. However, no matter how you look at it, there is always some way to imagine a better version or look. That is why being an automotive designer is complicated; There’s an element of personal style, mixed with retaining brand identity, and not overdoing it with a host of experiments.
I mean, while we all admit that the new Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat is a monster of a high-performance SUV, and it has the look and feel to match, there could be a way to cheer it up a bit more. That’s what TheSketchMonkey has discovered, and all it takes is a simple reorientation of a couple of front bumper elements. As he explains, the Durango SRT Hellcat is without a doubt a Dodge; It has broad but rounded shoulders and lines, almost bulky and plump. But that’s fine, and that’s not the problem here, as that’s how it’s always been for Dodge and its vehicles. What bothers you is that there must be a central framing element to which all headlights, vents, and angles must be anchored.
7 7 Photos
Trust us we didn’t see this until you pointed this out – all of the design elements on the front of the Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat appear to be pointing up and at an interior angle, creating a triangle. The inner edges of the headlights, the edges of the open split grille, and the edges of the side vents where the fog lamps are located – all of these elements point upward to a point where they don’t converge. The front face essentially lacks a chin to round off the bottom, creating a kind of base. So how does TheSketchMonkey fix this? By literally rotating the side vents to form an inward-facing angle at a downward angle, joining the outer edges of the hood and headlight together, creating a face that’s fairly well framed and a little more aggressive.
We think it looks very sweet, and something that could easily be done in the aftermarket scene. Those bigger vents definitely look good in this high-performance SUV. So what do you guys think?
