German Car Zone

I mentioned in the BMW F01 7 Series thread that the E65 will likely end up being considered to be the most significant car of the first decade of the 21st century.


It set me wondering about this.

I thought we could have a discussion on it and then a poll to find the winner.

Try to be as objective as possible (I know it's difficult for some of you )

You don't have to like the car ...this has absolutely nothing to do with favourites ...it is about the most representative vehicle of our time.

This is just my own personal list ...but I would welcome your thoughts/criticism etc.

In no particular order of course:
Bugatti Veyron
Rolls-Royce Phantom
Mercedes-Benz SLR
BMW 7 Series (E65/E66)
BMW Z8
Mini Cooper S
Maybach 62
Audi R8
Porsche Carrera GT
Fiat 500
Ford GT
Hummer H3


The Cadillac CTS is another car I considered, but it still has not reached the international iconic status these others have.

The Mercedes S class is obviously going to be suggested ...but in real terms, it has not had any where near the impact, or captured the imagination of the world in quite the same way as the vehicles on my list.

Of course, this is conjecture, I look forward to discussing it


Please feel free to add/subtract to or from my list ...or make your own lists of possible candidates

The Mercedes S does not need to capture imaginations...it's ever present!

^ Yes ...but try to be objective. Its cultural impact has not been anything like what the E65's has been.

I must insist, this is not about favourites ....I am looking for the most iconic.

The 'S class', as a moniker is an icon in itself, there is no doubt about it, but lets be honest, the W22 is no more representative of the decade than a Lexus LS or VW Golf.

I am looking for a car that most eminently captures the spirit of the decade



BUT .....if you strongly believe the S class represents that ...then of course I will enjoy debating it

LOL I do understand what you mean Rob. I just wanted it to be aknowleged that the S is not just an icon for a particular decade. It transcends that. It's an automotive legacy. Now enough of my hot air...

I would most definitley choose the E65 as the most iconic car of this decade.

I don't believe a lot of those cars deserve to be on that list, including the Audi R8.

^ Interesting.

Even though I innitially thought the E65 too (based on the massive stir it caused around the world) ...I am now not so sure.

For example, The Rolls-Royce Phantom has become a cultural phenomenon in its own right -- no other vehicle has been subject to so much parody in the global popular culture.



The immediate recognition value of the Rolls-Royce Phantom makes it a hot contender for most iconic car of the decade.

Yes definitely if you are looking for an icon on a broader scale. In terms of influence on popular culture globally I would choose the Phantom. But if we're looking at relevance and influence on the automotive industry in particular, then the E65 would get my vote.

That both these car's came from the same company is testament to the outstanding decade it has been for the BMW automotive group. The company was on fire. Though I feel it's lost its footing a bit lately.

My quick thoughts:

Bugatti Veyron - Oustanding achievement thats for sure. though it hasn' even come close to matching the 'recognition' that the Mclaren F1 had in its hey day. More isolated to the automotive world I would argue.

Rolls-Royce Phantom - See above

Mercedes-Benz SLR - World recognised. But it's a well known fact it's a car of compromise and not what it should have been or was supposed to have been.

BMW 7 Series (E65/E66) - See above

BMW Z8 - Does not belong here

Mini Cooper S - World recognised as well, but not anywhere near as aspirational as the phantom.

Maybach 62 - Tough one here.

Audi R8 - A bold statement for Audi. But it's influence on the automotive world and pop culture has not been that great.

Porsche Carrera GT - Iconic, but I think the Phantom is moreso.

Fiat 500 - Maybe for europe. Not for the rest of the world.

Ford GT - Maybe for the US. Not for the rest of the world.

Hummer H3 - Iconic. In a vulgar cheap rip off kind of way.

I'll probably change my mind after hearing what all you clever people have to say.

^excellent overview ....and sound reasoning

Would there be any others you can think of to add to the list?















BTW Mohammed, I apologize if I came across as bossy earlier ...I do respect your opinions

My vote for most significant car of the decade goes to Prius. As much as I would like to diss the hybrids, there is no denying the impact it has/continue to have on the automotive industry.

My thoughts on other cars on the list:

Veyron: A most impressive white elephant.

Phantom: Made RR relevant again, but I don't see any larger significance to the automotive world.

SLR: How to not run your next supercar project.

E65: Made looking ugly, cool (pre FL). From a desgn pov, I think it shifted the paradigm for design from looking harmonius and pleasing to being unique and challenging. You can see a host of Japanese cars following suite.

Z8: Irrelevent. Besides being beautiful, why is it even in the list?

R8: Can potentially change the game for Audi or be the next NSX - the jury is still out.

Mini Cooper: How to a revive an icon.

Ford GT: How to not revive an icon. Fantastic car though.

Carrera GT: My favorite car, but this list is not about that.

Fiat 500: I can faintly recall what it looks like.

Hummer H3: How to strip mine a brand till it bleeds from every orifice.

^ Ah yeah the Prius ...how could I forget that one. Excellent Sunny. Thanks for your great post too

Well that was just my list off the top of my head ....it is not an official list