Get the grille out.

Future of the grille for the automotive industry.

       During the days of chrome and tail fins, the 1950’s had one other thing on this generation.  A need for the largest chrome grille on the market.  But as those days gave way to the 60’s, so did the need for large oversized front grilles.  Well that’s not to say that the 60’s didn’t have their fair share of oversize grilles, but they weren’t as prominent as they were during the 50’s.

   Now as move towards a greener future we are starting to see a demise in the need and use of the front grille.  As electric cars have no need for them and hydrogen has little use, it seems that we are moving towards a future without a front grille.  And if you have seen any Tesla models recently, you will really notice this fact as true.  But can we live in a society without a front grille as it has become a staple of the automotive industry ever since the start of the industry.

   Back in the early days of the automobile the front radiator grille was the more noticeable feature of any vehicle in the world.  And due to this need for a cooling system is also where you will find the introduction of the front logo and hood ornament.  The latter of which is still in heavy use today.  But as the cooling system within our vehicle changed and we started to put more emphasis on design, we began to see the radiator move under the hood.  And as the years passed and technology advanced, the radiator became less prevalent in the design of the front end.

   Now we are not saying that the radiator doesn’t have a place under the hood, as it is still used to cool the engine.  But that big grille you see in front of you is mostly used to cool the engine itself.  Sure, we do utilize this feature for other cooling and airflow uses, but cooling is still it’s primary use.  And with the need to cool a system designed around an explosion, we still require a front grille.  But as we move towards a greener future it won’t be required.  Even with the many advancements in refrigeration and proper air movement, the need for a front grille is slowly being phased out.  So, for today, we are slowly losing our need for a front air duct.  But can we totally move away from them in the future or is there a silver lining here.

   As Tesla and Nikola fight over the future transport supremacy, our vision towards the future of transportation is being made.  With Tesla you have a no grille, no feature look which is futuristic in appearance, but has no heart and soul.  But with Nikola you have the makings of a futuristic version of the modern-day transport and with it a futuristic look at the front grille. 

​   Nikola has utilized false inserts, chrome accents and band lighting to bring out the modern transport appeal in their TRE transport.  Sure, the inlets have no use and the chrome is just an accent, but really the TRE front end still looks like something you would see on the road today.  Whereas the Tesla Truck is something from distant future, where we have abolished all character appeal from our vehicles.  I don’t know about you but I don’t want to live in that future.  We at AutoLooks still love our appeal of the modern era where we welcome products with the heart and soul of the real world.  A dark bland future is something we don’t look forward to.

   So, what does this have to do with the future of the grille.  Well it seems whoever wins the race for transport supremacy may be the one who will change the face of our automobiles.  Remember that Tesla’s design language is already starting to trickle down the line and onto a few of the new green companies and with that the loss of our famous grille.  This can be seen on the 2021 Rivan R1T, as it only utilizes a light band in place of the standard grille.  But don’t worry, just like the 5-speed shifter, there will still be diehard fans out there that will stop at nothing to spruce up their ride with a famous grille.  Just like that of the Havelaar Bison and its makeshift front grille.

  Now as we move onto a world of no grilles or grilles made of lights and accents, we look forward to what may come.  Even if it isn’t what we hope for, we can still count on the aftermarket world to help us out.

Everett J.
#AutoLooks, @Autolooks.net, AutoLooks.net