It's as much electronics and information systems as mechanical engineering and styling".
Late last month, the executives responsible for Chrysler's three brands, along with the heads of manufacturing, engineering and styling, traveled to a proving ground halfway between Milan and Turin for a weekend of meetings and motoring with their Italian counterparts.
Smaller car makers could not afford the constant engineering and styling changes they had to make to keep competitive.
That is why some of the heart was torn out of Citroën during the past quarter-century, as its Peugeot parent placed sales success above idiosyncratic engineering and the style that went with it.
However, if your concept of a station wagon is one that achieves a near-perfect balance between engineering and ability, style and function, status and practicality, speed and comfort, then the E500 may very well be perfect.
But it worked: Americans paid a premium for German engineering and Italian styling, imagining that centuries of native craftsmanship lay behind them.
But it does show what influences Italian design concepts may bestow upon German engineering and typical BMW styling cues, like a long hood, set-back greenhouse and sloping roofline.
But Mr. FitzSimons argues they are more like the blower Bentleys of the time -- rugged racing machines, operated by young aristocrats, proud of their engineering and undisguised by styling.
It's art, creativity, fandom, engineering, connection, style, and a party.
