Car Design round-up: Skoda, Renault and Rolls-Royce
Car Design News takes a look at the news that may have gone under the radar, including the latest from Skoda, Rolls-Royce and Toyota
Renault Austral gets a bold refresh
Renault has revealed the revamped Austral, flexing the brand’s latest design language.
Up front, a chiselled bonnet, diamond-embossed grille and high-tech lighting sharpen its look. The new Ultramarine Blue and Satin Pearl White paint options keep things fresh.
Inside, it’s all about comfort and tech, with new seats, improved soundproofing and an OpenR twin-screen setup. The Esprit Alpine trim dials up the sportiness with Alcantara, carbon-fibre-inspired touches and a blue-stitched ’A” on the seats.
In short, Austral’s glow-up keeps it stylishly in step with Renault’s hybrid push.
Spring has sprung at Rolls-Royce
Rolls-Royce has bottled the fleeting beauty of cherry blossoms in the Phantom Cherry Blossom, a one-off bespoke masterpiece for a Japanese client.
Over 250,000 meticulously stitched blossoms cascade across the Stalight Headliner, doors and privacy suite with 3D embroidery adding a sculptural finish.
We simply had to include this.
Škoda teases new Elroq RS
The Elroq RS is set to be the sportiest take on Škoda’s all-electric compact SUVs.
The shadowy preview confirms the RS treatment: blacked-out details, a high-gloss Tech-Deck face and bold Mamba Green paint options. Inside, expect a similar dose of attitude.
The Elroq RS will take centre stage at Milan Design Week in an immersive exhibition. Also making an appearance? A special edition of Botas trainers, styled by Škoda’s design team to celebrate the brand’s 130-year heritage. We know where we’ll be…
2026 Toyota Crown defies labels
Toyota’s 2026 Crown blends sedan elegance with the height of an SUV for a regal and road-commanding stance.
Flowing character lines and Toyota’s signature hammerhead fascia add presence, while the Platinum grade gets a striking bi-tone paint option.
Within the Crown, leather-trimmed seats, a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and piano-key controls are purposefully placed.
A panoramic moonroof (on higher trims) elevates the ambience, while premium tech like a JBL sound system and head-up display add modern flair.
Whether in Oxygen White, Bronze Age or the moody Storn Cloud, the Crown brings a sense of style to the hybrid scene.
