Karl Smith
Karl is the Car Design News correspondent in the United States. He lives near Los Angeles. He has written for Car Design News since 2013, as well as our sister publications, Interior Motives, and Automotive IT International. He has also been a contributor to our bespoke publications for Volvo and Nissan, as well as our annual Car Design Yearbook.
Karl has written for design journals for over 30 years and has been published in books and magazines in the US, Europe and Japan. Karl is also a practicing architect in California, with projects across the United States and in Europe.
Karl.smith@cardesignnews.com
Contact info
- Email:
- Karl.Smith@cardesignnews.com
- Website:
- www.KarlSmithStudio.com
ArticleToyota reimagines Century limo as an SUV
The legendary nameplate is reimagined with a surprising new format
ArticleArtCenter names new transportation design chair
Marek Djordjevic, alumnus of Rolls-Royce, BMW Designworks, steps into pivotal leadership role
ArticleBMW previews radical new future at IAA
The Vision Neue Klasse is a strong indication of where BMW design is headed, with a real departure from the brand’s current look
ArticleFlashback: sequential turn signals
In 1964, Ford introduced a redesigned model of its personal luxury car, the Thunderbird. It featured a new, sharper, more raptor-like design, more power with a massive 392 cubic inch V8 and a host of new luxury features, including an all-new interior.
ArticleFlashback: the era-defining Cord 810
Karl Smith takes a look at the short-lived yet iconic Cord 810, a symbol of mid-1930s glamour
ArticleWill aerodynamics dominate automotive design in future?
Car Design News investigates whether aerodynamics will be the prevailing trend moving forward as EVs seek extra range
ArticleFlashback: in-car record players
Car Design News takes a look back at the unlikely trend to integrate turntables in the cockpit
ArticleHyundai introduces bold new Santa Fe for 2024
Car Design News takes a look at the all-new Hyundai Santa Fe SUV
ArticleFlashback: Driving with a joystick
Car Design News looks back on General Motors’ past experiments with joystick control
ArticleFlashback: Michelin Vision Tire (2017)
An advanced tire/wheel concept by Michelin that may be a game-changer
ArticleDesignworks’ yacht collab previews luxury interior
A new kind of luxury yacht is born out of a unique collaboration and may preview the executive ‘car’ of the future
ArticlePorsche and Petersen team up for a diamond anniversary celebration
The Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles teams up with Porsche for a celebration of the marque’s 75th anniversary
ArticleStewart Reed retires from ArtCenter
The longtime Chair of the Transportation Design Department retires after nearly two decades
ArticleDialogue a principal theme of Milan design week
Dialogue and cross-disciplinary thinking dominated the trade shows, installations and exhibits during the annual Milan design week with very interesting results
ArticleLighting trends at EuroLuce 2023
CDN reports on lighting trends seen during Milan design week and what they mean for car designers
ArticleThe future is hybrid – but not like you think
Car Design News looks at the emergence of ‘hybrid’ body styles that meet new consumer demands, powertrains and safety requirements
ArticleCorvette E-Ray team discusses interior strategy
Car Design News takes a deep dive into the interior of the new hybrid Chevrolet Corvette
ArticleChevrolet retires Camaro — for now, at least
Car Design News looks back at the history of the Chevrolet Camaro following confirmation it will be retired in 2024
ArticleArtificial intelligence and the car designer of the future
CDN’s Karl Smith asks if artificial intelligence is the existential threat to car design we think it is
ArticleFirst sight: Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray
CDN takes a look at the new Corvette, which despite its name is in fact a hybrid
