Apparently, aluminium isn't very easy to work with, preventing body panels from being too complicated or curved. .....

What? Can you explain how that would be the case? It certainly makes no sense based on my observations of the complex surfaces produced over the years and currently.

It always amazes me how folks with no apparent appearance design training or even design aptitude can criticize a car they have never even seen in person.

Any good new design will make the non-trained person uncomfortable when they first see it. Particularly in pictures or sketches. If it didn't, it is likely an out of date design.

I prefer an estate to a sedan, if offered. However, why do all the premium European estate makers insist on a slanted rear hatch instead of something more upright?

I would like to see the return of the handsome estate silhouette from the late 90's like the Passat and A4/A6. Something like the original Allroad, but with a little more "sport", would be perfect.

As the British Economist newspaper put it, "a sad end to 78 years of proud independence" for Porsche.

My preference would certainly be a connection to VW in this situation rather than some of the very undesirable alternatives (Asia).

VW was already Porsche's technical and manufacturing partner. This new development just makes things more stable for the future.

And now maybe Porsche can get rid of their tacky mini-van like exterior door handles for something a lot more acceptable, like from the Golf.

Not sure you fully understand the situation.

Except for the change in the world economy in late 2008, Porsche's takeover of VW would have most likely been successful.

The only unknown was what Piech's response would have been.

Wiedeking, of course, could not have foreseen the change in the world situation better than anyone else.

"There's way too much of the current 7L Touareg platform in this vehicle to make me believe it's the redesigned version"

Why would VW have retooled new surface contoured door skins for a test mule of a new powertrain for the current chassis?

.....this man who OKd some of the worst cars ever build .......

I think a simple check of the timeline would show that Bob was not yet even working at GM when they stopped making bad cars.

It would seem wise on BMW's part to offer many designs for many different customers.

They still have the conventional sedans, coupes and convertibles for those groups.

They have SUVs for those groups.

I don't see why all the fuss about BMW trying to attract another group.

BMW is too small to survive in the future if they don't get aggressive now.

I hope the Audi appearance design Team does a better job than they have for other resent models. A little to bland and with ackward features from some angles.

Their cousins over at VW appearance design have been cleaning their clock recently, IMO.

There has to be a market for the more sophisticated look of the Phaeton compared to the strange appearances of the MB and BMW competitors and the down right tackiness of the Asian "competitors".

The Phaeton and A8 are definitely top of the class in appearance. (maybe tone down the chrome a bit, though)