James McLachlan - Car Design News

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

EyesOn Design 2026 crowned Cadillac, Ferrari and Bentley as design leaders in Detroit, recognising standout production and concept vehicles alongside a lifetime achievement award for outgoing Mercedes-Benz design chief Gorden Wagener

James McLachlan

Detroit’s design renaissance leaves its auto show behind

Detroit is rebounding as a design city, yet its once-mighty auto show falters, eclipsed by westward industry shifts, timid launches and winter woes. It is time for the Big Three to re-engage urgently, writes CDN editor-in-chief James McLachlan

James McLachlan

Don't end up with a "Potato"

Design supremo at Lamborghini Mitja Borkert talks aerodynamics and winning arguments with engineers

James McLachlan

Interview: Richard Shaw, Opel interiors chief

Car Design News speaks to Opel design stalwart and current interiors chief Richard Shaw

James McLachlan

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

Veteran educator Richard Pietruska reflects on five decades shaping automotive design talent through his sketching classes. Car Design News spoke to Pietruska about his former students, many of whom are industry legends

James McLachlan

"The future is clear, it is electric"

Car Design News speaks to head of global design at Changan Klaus Zyciora about the Deepal brand and why the future is electric

James McLachlan

First Look: Opel refreshes the Astra

Opel unveils redesigned Astra with illuminated signature and new material direction

James McLachlan

Gerry canned? McGovern leaves JLR

In a surprise move, Gerry McGovern, the influential chief creative officer credited with defining the modern identity of Jaguar Land Rover, leaves the company. Or does he?

James McLachlan

GAC to shutter Los Angeles Advanced Design studio

GAC is closing its Los Angeles Advanced Design Studio, bringing an end to one of the Chinese carmaker’s most internationally visible creative hubs

James McLachlan

Designing the Paris-Dakar Bull

Car Design News speaks to Chris Milburn, designer of the legendary Paris-Dakar rally truck, the DAF Bull

James McLachlan

"Design is not the place to save money"

XPeng’s design leaders explain how a diverse, digitally driven studio, proprietary AI and ties to Chinese consumers are reshaping vehicle development at speed

James McLachlan

Watch: Joaquin Garcia, Italdesign

Italdesign's Joaquin Garcia speaks to Car Design News about the US studio, AI and new brand identity

James McLachlan

What is American luxury?

At Car Design Dialogues Detroit, design leaders from Rivian, Lucid, Cadillac, Chrysler and Lincoln debate the meaning of American luxury, exploring heritage, sustainability, materials, design language and technology in shaping premium experiences for a changing market

James McLachlan

Massimo Frascella on the role of the automotive designer

As part of Car Design News' design talent focus, CDN speaks to Audi design boss Massimo Frascella on the evolving role of the designer

James McLachlan

Exclusive: Felix Kilbertus leaves Pininfarina

Felix Kilbertus is leaving Pininfarina after two years as chief creative officer. Kilbertus, who previously led exterior design at Rolls-Royce, departs following a period of diversification and global expansion for the storied Italian design house

James McLachlan

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

Car Design News spoke to Bentley paint design expert Steve Williams and CMF boss Andrea Jensen

James McLachlan

Chrysler explores adventure aesthetics with Pacifica concept

Chrysler has revealed the Pacifica Grizzly Peak concept, a design study that adapts the people carrier for the growing van-life and overlanding communities

James McLachlan

"CMF fosters a deeper connection with the brand"

Ford's director of colour and material design, Alina Renoux, discusses the impact of CMF

James McLachlan

Design Driven: Hyundai Ioniq 5 N

Car Design News spends a week with Hyundai’s insanely rapid Ioniq 5 N

James McLachlan

Delayed gratification: Bentley's new studio

Bentley's design team has been waiting a long time for a new studio. Turns out, it was worth it

James McLachlan

GAC LA studio's Baja-inspired concept

Led by the charismatic Pontus Fontaeus, GAC's LA studio has a well-deserved rep for pushing the boundaries. Its latest Baja-inspired off-road racer is true to form

James McLachlan

Gilles Vidal takes over Stellantis’ European Brands

Gilles Vidal returns to forming stomping ground to lead creative strategy across Stellantis European marques

James McLachlan

Jozef Kabaň on MG’s expanding design language

MG’s global design chief Jozef Kabaň reflects on his move to China, the creative philosophy behind the Cyber X concept, and how the brand is stretching its design identity to connect with new audiences

James McLachlan

Nicholas David on Karma’s vision for the Kaveya

At Goodwood 2025, Karma Automotive’s Design VP, Nicholas David, revealed how the forthcoming Kaveya aims to rewrite the rulebook for electric performance vehicles — from proportion-driven aesthetics to theatrical lighting and hidden mechanism

James McLachlan

Goodwood interview: Klaus Busse on the MCPura

Car Design News caught up with Maserati design supremo Klaus Busse to talk about the MCPura, design tools and why he is looking to the 1950s for inspiration

James McLachlan

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

Bentley interior designer Young Kwang Nam led the creative update of the brand’s logo unveiled in tandem with the new EXP 15 concept car. Car Design News caught up with him at the new studio

James McLachlan

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

At a special event in Dieppe, birthplace of the Alpine brand, Car Design News caught up with design head Antony Villain and VP product planning Sovany Ang to talk about collaboration. It is fair to say, they were a great double act

James McLachlan