I hope I can be forgiven for posting this off-topic question here. My car is a 987.2 Boxster, so that's why I'm doing it here.

Why have car and SUV grilles grown to such large sizes? As examples, Audis are large; Lexus (Lexi?) are enormous, and in my opinion quite ugly. Is there a functional reason, or is it marketing, or what.

TIA,

 

Certainly doesn't apply to all cars, but many are bigger/heavier/more powerful and just need more cooling capacity...

 

Definitely cooling on trucks and SUV's. Depending on the car / sedan it could be cooling or it could be an OEM's design choice as some sort of brand image.

 

Simple answer: lack of taste on the part of designers. I will not consider owning an Audi or Lexus just because of the grilles. Ugh!

 

I think its mostly cost- those open air dams use far less material and paint

 

They just keep getting bigger, and bigger....

 

If you look through all the constraints on car design these days; there is little wiggle room left for designers to make something their own. Also add in a culture in most car companies that design by committee....all that makes it through these days are designs that offend the minimum number of people. Instead of designs that excite the most number of people.

 

Bingo. Weight savings as well. Bigger grille less weight.

 

And it looks "sporty" and "aggressive"

Even if 80% of the vent slats are closed for aero purposes.

 

Yep, most of the grille space is blocked off or fake.

For many vehicles, a few more grilles are necessary for additional cooling, especially with how many cars, trucks, and SUVs have started using smaller displacement engines with turbos running high boost. They get hot!
Another reason is that collision sensors and radar are often hidden within the black of the grille.



As mentioned, a more "open" front end has always given a more sporty impression to the majority of people. Even the 986S and 987S got fake center grilles because it looks more aggressive.

Many reviews commented on how un-intimidating the Model 3 was when it came out, because of a lack of defining features on the front end.

 

I think Tesla front end would look way better with fake grille/vents. But that's just me. I like the old school look.

 

Look at the grille on the new BMW Q7! Apparently, these large grills are built to appeal to the Chinese market. They are hideous IMO. The Audi is the best of them.

 

You guys are missing the European pedestrian strike requirements. Cars like a 914 would cut a pedestrian off at the ankles and send them into the windshield. Big blunt front ends just knock em over.

Crash standards are driving design more than fuel economy these days. Now the front ends are huge, the A pillars fat, and the side windows are slots instead of a greenhouse. Drive an early 911 and look at the A pillar and low door sill compared to a 982 to see what I mean.