Restyling - what is it?

2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:41

Not all motorists can give a specific answer to the question of what the term "restyling" means. This word often flashes in articles on automotive topics and news feeds.

Classic restyling is a modification and updating of either external or internal elements of a car. This is done in order to improve the design and recognition of a particular brand of car. But not only the changes that the manufacturer makes can be considered restyling. This update has its own nuances, which will be described in this article.

When restyling is applied

Typically, automakers make changes to the interior or exterior of the most running models every 3-4 years. In various cases, the update affects different elements of the car. As a rule, no changes are made to the architecture of the body. Apply restyling for the following reasons:

• Updating the manufacturer's lineup.
• Changes to cars with outdated designs.
• Revision based on the errors of the previous version of the body.
• Rebranding or repositioning.

Restyling is much cheaper than the development and creation of a radically new model. The chassis and the main systems of the car remain unchanged. Only the visual component is corrected. That is, inside it is the same car, but from the outside it looks like a completely different car. As a rule, the front of the car undergoes the most changes, so that it is noticeable that the model has been updated.

Why not make a new car?

The creation of a new model costs the concern a huge amount, which negatively affects the cost. Economically, it is much more profitable to modify an already released model and return it to the market. Consumers always positively perceive such modifications of cars that have already become boring over the years. The design update will attract new customers and accelerate the return on investment in the development of the model. That's why it's much easier to restyle an already created car.

What updates does the auto restyle provide?

As a rule, restyling involves changing only the elements of the exterior and interior of the car. 3-4 years after the release of the car on the market, the concern updates its appearance. Modifications involve changes to body kits, headlights and other body elements. Also, elements of the car interior may be subject to changes.

But the architecture of the body in most cases is not updated. After all, if you change the body or its elements, such as doors or hood, then you need to completely change the attachment points on the car body. Therefore, these updatesproduced extremely rarely, performing restyling. This will cause additional costs, which the manufacturer prefers to avoid.

In the cabin, you can change the upholstery or dashboard, as well as other decorative elements. The car's electronics can also be updated with new firmware or an updated navigation system.

What other changes can restyling bring?

The architecture of the car, as a rule, is not updated during restyling, the chassis and the main systems of the car are also preferred to be left unchanged. But sometimes concerns retain the wheelbase, while changing the length of the car. In some cases, the interior of the machine may also be modified. For example, modifications may affect the suspension, brakes or other technical systems of the vehicle. But such changes are rarely made, as they entail additional costs for changing the architecture of the car.

Types of restyling

There are several different types of restyling, depending on the elements that are being modified:

• External restyling makes changes to the design of the car. For example, they modify the bumper, grille, headlights or wheels.
• Internal restyling complements the interior of the car, adds new elements or eliminates old flaws.

Depending on the conditions under which the car is restyled, it can be divided into two categories.

Unscheduled restyling is used if a fresh car model has obvious flaws. Also, unscheduled restyling canbe used if potential buyers are dissatisfied with the released model, and then it goes for revision.

Planned restyling. Most often occurs when a model released 3-4 years ago is no longer sold. The adjustments made by restyling make it more modern in appearance. The automaker then returns the modified version to the market, where, as planned, the buyer should pay attention to it, and sales of the model will increase again.

Examples of restyling

And now let's take a look at some examples of restyling on popular car models. First of all, let's pay attention to the restyling of the Ford Focus.

Ford developers have changed this model in 2015 very successfully indeed. The car not only acquired an attractive appearance, but also became more comfortable to use. This is largely due to noticeable changes in the equipment of the car's electronics. Also, the car has acquired a large selection of engines available for installation, which allows each buyer to choose the ideal ratio of power and car price.

Among the more modern models, let's pay attention to the restyling of the Kia Rio. This car also received a lot of significant changes. In the appearance of the car, you can immediately notice new alloy wheels, a modified radiator grille, as well as an updated optics design. The developers have not forgotten about the interior of the car. Both passengers and drivers will surely like quality materialsinterior design and stylish appearance.

And finally, we will present you the restyling of the Toyota Prius. This is definitely a vivid example of how the company strives to make its cars as interesting as possible for customers. Even the restyling photo of this model immediately makes it clear that we have a completely different car in front of us, which took only the main points of the concept of this model from the original version. The design has become more futuristic and stylish. The powerful hybrid engine of the novelty perfectly complements all the innovations.

Summing up

The article talked about what restyling is, when it is applied and what changes it makes. Restyling is one way for concerns to remain competitive and make a profit by attracting new car enthusiasts. A car that has performed well changes its appearance, and this attracts new buyers. This trend is characteristic not only of the domestic automobile market. This tactic is used by concerns everywhere.

Recently, the restyle of the model brings more and more changes that are of high importance. In an attempt to please the client, restyled models not only acquire a more aggressive appearance, but are also complemented by elements, moldings, and in some cases even changes in the internal mechanisms of the car.

Restyling is in many ways reminiscent of tuning - this is the same change in the external parameters of a car, but made even before purchase. Of course, design updates are almost always welcomed by customers.

But still, restyling is not only a change in appearance by the manufacturer. Correction of old shortcomings, updating of characteristics, new modifications of the engine, change of illumination of the instrument panel - any change of the car can be called restyling.

Some of them are produced by the automakers themselves, some changes to their car are brought directly by the owners. Even the installation of a spoiler or the replacement of disks by the owner - all this can be called restyling of the car.