I have frequently complained about a lack of elegance in some currently popular Chrysler products. To my eyes, elegance beats "aggressive" and "in-your-face" as a statement of style.

I take a lot of flack for these views but apparently I'm in good company, according to an illuminating Autoweek interview with that paragon of casual elegance, Ralph Lauren. He is famous as a men's fashion designer but Lauren is also a car guy. A real car guy who's been crazy about automobiles since he was a kid and now owns a fabulous collection of award-winning classics. So what does Ralph Lauren say about car design? Lots, actually, but here's a brief quote from the article:

"Elegance is timeless. I would say Mercedes is timeless, classical elegance. bentley is timeless elegance. The Aston is timeless elegance. Porsche is understated, but an amazing car. But I can't take away and isolate design from quality, from the engine, from detailing. I can't isolate these things. It's about subtleties... to me today's technology is the new fashion in cars; it's function vs. the design. It is what will happen inside of it rather than 'look at my fins'."