In regards to the performance over looks aspect, look at this years real F1 cars. Ugly as sin. I can't even watch the races on tv they are so ugly and I haven't. There's no way I'd ever run a body as ugly as this years real F1 cars on an rc car.
It's only natural that designs in rc follow a performance over looks trend as well but in this case I don't think it looks half bad. In fact I kind of like it. Add the big honking vertical fin to the back and it could look even neater. It's got simple pleasing lines and looks pretty sleek.