If you're seeking an explanation for the new and sometimes weird designs appearing at the 2006 North American International Auto Show you could do worse than check this Detroit News article by Bryce Hoffman. He sets out the rationale in five little words: "thou shalt not be boring" but then counters by asking "will this be remembered as an era of garish design gone wild?"

Anke Mazzei, color designer for nissan Design America Inc. responded with "I don't think they're going overboard. If you want to get their attention, you have to be dramatic." Mazzei is one of the designers of the Nissan Urge concept. Explaining Ford's new crossover, the Edge, the vehicle's chief engineer, Elaine Bannon, said "This is a vehicle you wear... it's about making your personal attributes enhanced."

Wondering why all those retro cars keep popping up? (And some of us here are indeed wondering.) Listen to these words from Trevor Creed, design chief of DaimlerChrysler AG's Chrysler Group: "The baby boomers' generation who have the disposable income remember those vehicles and say, 'Why can't we have those vehicles back?' Those were the days when cars were really exciting. In between then, we've had nothing but front-wheel-drive, V-6 cars."

Auto executives and analyists are quoted along with the outspoken designers, making for an enjoyable read. Short on criticism but that's okay; you can always depend on 4Drivers Only to reveal what's really behind the hype.