Car design round-up: a new concept, breaking records and the best roadster voted by you

Cadillac unveils the Elevated Velocity concept

Cadillac has revealed the Elevated Velocity concept, an electric 2+2 crossover that possesses the performance of the V-Series and foreshadows what the future of Cadillac design could look like.

The exterior has a fast roofline that sweeps over its lifted stance, complemented by gull-wing doors that rise like theatre curtains. The sculpted Vapor Blue body, tinged with glacial undertones, is accented by fluted translucent front lighting and vertical rear light tunnels. Precision-patterned 24-inch wheels add to its presence.

The interior is wrapped in deep Morello red leather, Cerise fabric and Garnet boucle – complemented by brushed metal and tinted acrylic. Three different modes change the lighting, layout and, therefore, atmosphere.

Bryan Nesbitt, vice president of GM global design, says: “Conceptual design work necessarily looks beyond current production programs, studying lifestyle and technology trends and their potential influences on our next mobility experiences.”

Full release here.

Polestar 3 breaks Guinness World Record

Polestar’s electric SUV has broken the Guinness World Record for the longest journey travelled by an electric SUV on a single charge.

The Polestar 3 unmodified long range single motor achieved 581.3 miles on a single charge on UK public roads.

This real-world journey began near Norwich and journeyed across mostly flat A and B roads as well as dual carriage ways. The real-world journey took 22 hours and 57 minutes.

The car received zero modifications for this attempt and was on standard 20-inch wheels fitted with standard Michelin Sport 4 EV tyres.

Full release here.

The best roadsters – voted by you

Car Design News’ Battle of the Roadsters on Instagram stories has been cruising through the decades – and you’ve been in the driver’s seat.

For the 70s, the Alfa Romeo Spider charmed its way to victory. The 80s saw the BMW E30 convertible top the charts, while the 90s belonged to the quirky BMW Z1 – those doors really opened opportunities…

The 00s champ? Still in the fast lane to the finish – head to @cardesignnews on Instagram to have your say.

Further details on the Škoda Vision O

A video has been revealed of Škoda’s Vision O after the initial photography release earlier in August.

The new video reveals slightly more detail on the exterior of the concept estate car, with narrow ‘T’ shape taillights, distinctive lines along the body and a silhouette that has clearly prioritised aerodynamics.

Oliver Stefani, head of design, commented: “With Vision O, we are consistently advancing our 'Modern Solid' design language, boosting its emotional appeal and further refining our brand identity [It] also highlights our commitment to pushing boundaries and continuously bringing innovation to future automotive design. Clear lines emphasise simplicity, showcasing totally that we remain true to our brand values."

Full release here.