James McLachlan - Car Design News

James McLachlan

Editor-in-chief, Car Design News

James McLachlan is editor-in-chief of Car Design News, the leading publication covering global automotive and mobility design. A journalist for more than 20 years, he began his career in broadcast journalism at the BBC before moving into design and architecture publishing with The Architects’ Journal. He later became editor of Icon and joined Car Design News in 2020.

james.mclachlan@cardesignnews.com

SMMT Test Day 2026: manuals, muscle cars and a GTI masterclass

Designers spend years refining proportions, surfacing and user experience; SMMT Test Day offers the chance to judge the finished result. CDN sampled a selection of standout models, discovering where great design enhances the drive – and where nostalgia still holds sway

James McLachlan - Car Design News

James McLachlan

SMMT Test Day 2026: manuals, muscle cars and a GTI masterclass

Ferrari’s electric future arrives without its soul

Design driven: Mazda CX-5

Ian Cartabiano on Lexus lighting design, architectural inspiration and the future of the spindle

Bentley Supersports: from gentleman’s express to tyre-smoking menace

Ferrari's Angelo Nivola on designing with emotion

"There are many cars you can respect, but very few that you can love"

Bryan Nesbitt: between soul and system

Shaping the future without losing the past

Sharon Gauci on leadership, legacy and letting go at General Motors

The unbearable heaviness of brand

"Visualisation translates a single design truth into multiple narratives"

Exclusive: Kemal Curic to head up McLaren Automotive design

“Designers should spend time in finance, product planning and production”

Navarro to lead Italdesign as García departs

Genesis’ John Krsteski: Why digital tools make it the best time to be a car designer

Raphael Bretecher on design mavericks and concepts

Soft power play as MG refines the MG4

Designing the future from first principles: von Holzhausen on the Tesla Cybercab

Inside Ford’s new global headquarters: Jennifer Kolstad on designing culture, identity and change

Jozef Kaban: "We need to be the light for the whole system, not just design"

Designing autonomous luxury at Lucid

Detroit design students showcase contrasting visions for mobility’s future

Exclusive: BAIC's new Turin studio takes shape with Ivo Groen at the helm

Exclusive: Raul Pires replaces Max Wolff as head of Ford design in China and Asia; Wolff joins GM China

Review: Heritage & Horizons at the DAF museum

Kia PV5: a modular electric toolbox

Jeep Recon: a modular electric off-roader

Designing on the edge: how Ford’s Dark Horse SC took shape

EyesOn Design 2026 honours Cadillac, Ferrari and Bentley for automotive design excellence

Detroit’s design renaissance leaves its auto show behind

Don't end up with a "Potato"

Interview: Richard Shaw, Opel interiors chief

“I am so proud of them all” – Richard Pietruska, ArtCenter College of Design

"The future is clear, it is electric"

First Look: Opel refreshes the Astra

Gerry canned? McGovern leaves JLR

GAC to shutter Los Angeles Advanced Design studio

Designing the Paris-Dakar Bull

"Design is not the place to save money"

Watch: Joaquin Garcia, Italdesign

What is American luxury?

Massimo Frascella on the role of the automotive designer

Exclusive: Felix Kilbertus leaves Pininfarina

"Colour is not just about the shade — it’s how you feel when you see it"

Chrysler explores adventure aesthetics with Pacifica concept

"CMF fosters a deeper connection with the brand"

Design Driven: Hyundai Ioniq 5 N

Delayed gratification: Bentley's new studio

GAC LA studio's Baja-inspired concept

Gilles Vidal takes over Stellantis’ European Brands

Jozef Kabaň on MG’s expanding design language

Nicholas David on Karma’s vision for the Kaveya

Goodwood interview: Klaus Busse on the MCPura

Bentley redesigns logo for the fifth time in the brand’s history

Alpine's Antony Villain and Sovany Ang speak to Car Design News