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Car Design round-up: Renault Filante, Skoda’s flagship SUV & Volvo expands AI voice control
Car Design News looks at news that may have gone under the radar, including the latest updates from Harman, Renault, Skoda and Volvo
Volvo EX60 x Google Gemini AI assistant
Ahead of its official reveal on 21 January, Volvo has released more details about the technology inside its upcoming mid-size SUV.
The EX60 will be the first Volvo model to feature the Google Gemini AI assistant as standard, enabling ‘natural language conversation between driver and vehicle’.
Voice assistants have already been proven to be useful in-vehicle tools, so comes as no surprise that the technology continues to evolve. In September 2025, the European Transport Safety Council conducted research into voice assistants, finding that in-car voice systems could play a role in reducing the risk of crashes caused by drowsy driving.
The study concluded that when drivers interacted with a voice assistant, they reported feeling “significantly less sleepy, showed higher physiological arousal, more stable lane keeping and maintained better attention.”
Full release here.
Harman expands Ready product range
Harman has unveiled a range of product expansions – with the most notable being the Ready StreamShare. This system allows four personalised ‘media zones’ via a Bluetooth enabled hub.
Each media zone is paired with Harman headphones for personal listening. Who says the art of conversation is dead?
Full release here.
Renault reveals Filante hybrid crossover
The new flagship model represents Renault’s plans to strengthen its presence in South Korea.
The Renault Filante’s exterior consists of bold proportions, sculpted bodywork and a new lighting signature with the side profile showcasing a sleek, aerodynamic silhouette and taut lines.
Inside, the cabin has lounge-style seats and customisable ambient lighting.
The Filante name links to Renault’s heritage, as the Filante star was used as a mark on the brand’s top-spec models in the 1930s. The new Filante revives this historic symbol.
Full release here.
Skoda names flagship SUV
Skoda’s new electric 7-seater will be called the Peaq, positioned at the top of the brand’s portfolio.
The Peaq will bring the ideas of the Vision 7S concept into series production, so perhaps we can expect to see a robust exterior in a pea green colour, with a high tornado line and gently sloping roof, paired with an easy-to-use interior consisting of three rotary controls.
Full release here.
