On the subject of Brutalism...

Brutalism is defined as, according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, “a style in art and especially architecture using exaggeration and distortion to create its effect (as of massiveness or power)”. Think soviet-era massive concrete buildings shaped like bricks and empty of detail. Think sort of a precursor to modern minimalism, with sharp edges and crisp lines.

Brutalism is used often in architecture, as the definition above suggests. It has been very successful, with some designs appearing timeless and unique. But what about in cars?

Well, I can’t think of many. But some do come to mind.

In terms of modern cars, I think the best example of this style is the Cybertruck. Despite being dreadfully unappealing, it has perfectly captured the brutalist aesthetic. Especially with its stainless-steel finish. Its just a shame that the quality doesn’t live up to its looks – it appears to barely function as a truck, and has a tendency to do an impression of a rebirthing Phoenix every now and then. And also its creator likes doing funny hand signs.

In order to discover the heyday of brutalism in cars, you have to look back to the 80s, to one of the most notorious supercars of all time.

The Lamborghini Countach was designed by Marcello Gandini, who’s probably the godfather of brutalism in automotive design. He was also responsible for the Miura, but took a 180 degree pivot after that, when he moved away from soft, sleek lines and gentle curves to the geometric, sharp and edgy design of the Countach. He’s probably responsible for the look of Lamborghini ever since, as they all seem to take elements of the Countach’s design into their own.

Gandini is also responsible for the Lancia Stratos Zero concept, which came three years before the release Stratos, and featured a much sharper design, which is what he probably built off of for the Countach. The car features a large windscreen, that appears to lie almost flat, which you had to lift up to get in, much like a fighter-jet cockpit. This theme continued with the digital display on the dash, which was revolutionary at the time.

By the time of the Countach, the geometric wedge had become Gandini’s signature, also evident on the Maserati Khamsin, and the Alfa Romeo Carabao, to name a few. He was best known for his work at the design house, Bertone, which even went on to design a line of their own cars, throughout the early 21st century.

So, in the modern era, brutalism is all but dead in the automotive design industry, with what’s left being bastardised into unimaginatively designed, poorly built trucks. If it ever does make a resurgence, I hope it will take the form of Gandini Brutalism instead.

 And even if it doesn’t, Marcello Gandini’s legacy will live on in the incredible cars he designed, and the monumental impact he had on the automotive world.