God is in the Details

Audi RS4 engine compartment


Lexus IS-F engine compartment

The pictures say more than I ever could. More here.

(For those who aren't total gearheads, we're looking at two comparable +/- $60K compact sedans with massive V8s stuffed under the bonnet.)

[photos by Jalopnik]

On a side note, it's somewhat interesting that - if I remember correctly - Ludwig Mies van der Rohe's classic quote was adopted as Lexus archrival Infiniti's very first marketing tagline. Here's the G35 for comparison. Audi still clearly kicks everyone's ass when it comes to beautifully designing every little thing down to the last detail. Germans...

While we're on the subject, I've been wanting to do a feature on engine compartment design for a while. It's such a rare treat when manufacturers practice solid Gestalt theory, it deserves to be rewarded. I'm asking all of our readers to send photos/links of exceptional under hood design to mike[at]burnlab.net. We'll create a little gallery post right here with the best examples.