Round-up: Coventry design firm goes bust; Ferrari Amalfi Spider & Nissan X-Trail

Coventry design firm closes

HPL Prototypes, a car prototyping design and engineering firm, has stopped trading.

Bentley, Land Rover and Rolls Royce previously had contracts with HPL Prototypes. A strategy for these projects is currently being drawn up. 

65 staff have been made redundant and, according to sources from the BBC, some staff have not been paid for six weeks. A spokesperson at RSM UK, the appointed joint administrators for HPL Prototypes, said: “Employees are making claims to the redundancy payments service for any wages and salary owed, including overtime”. 

Ferrari Amalfi Spider 

The new Ferrari Amalfi Spider has been revealed, with design coming under the direction of chief design officer Flavio Manzoni. The car stays true to the proportions and volumes of the Amalfi coupe. 

The soft top allows for more personalisation with four colours in tailor-made fabric and two in technical fabric. The distinct weave of the technical fabric also creates a shimmering effect. 

As for the rest of the exterior, sculpted volumes and clean surfaces convey a modern and dynamic design. There’s a large front air intake with a long bonnet that houses the V8. At the rear there’s an integrated active spoiler and carbon fibre detailing throughout.

The cabin features a dual-cockpit layout, a steering wheel with physical buttons, the return of the start button and an integrated central display.

Full release here. 

Mercedes-Benz VLE 

Built on van architecture, the new Mercedes-Benz VLE is a limousine that can host up to eight people. 

The tautly stretched roofline flows into a smoothly rounded rear. From the side, the streamlined silhouette appears light. The grille dominates the face of the VLE, with an illuminated frame, a seamless light strip linking the headlights, star-shaped daytime running lights and a standing star on the bonnet. At the rear, arc-like taillights are integrated into the aerodynamic spoiler lip.

Inside, a one-piece fixed-glass roof extends from the B-pillar to the rear and ambient lighting plays a central role – all the way from the cockpit to the third row of seats.

Full release here. 

Morgan completes production of final Midsummer Commission 

The fiftieth Midsummer, a limited run barchetta designed in collaboration with Pininfarina, has been completed. . 

This special project was designed to celebrate Morgan’s coachbuilding expertise and provide a new take on the Morgan silhouette. The car has been in production at Morgan’s Pickersleigh Road factory in Malvern, UK. 

The 50 Midsummer commissions have seen Morgan explore new materials, bespoke finishes and tailored features. 

Website here. 

Nissan X-Trail 

Nissan has revealed the updated X-Trail for 2026. The model update includes a redesigned front fascia with a wider V-Motion grille, 19-inch diamond cut alloy wheels with glossy black lower bumpers and wheel arches, recontoured lower bumpers and new full rear LED lamps.

The interior has also been updated, with new chestnut brown quilted leather upholstery and brown wood console trim – as well as a synthetic leather option. 

Full release here. 

People news

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