Car Design News chats to Achim Badstübner, head of exterior design at Mercedes-Benz
With the onset of EVs, AVs and AI, exterior design is in a real state of flux. Aerodynamics seems to have been pushed up the hierarchy but alongside an increasing appetite for unique, futuristic designs that feel in-line with a battery-powered vehicle that can in certain situations drive itself. It is becoming quite the juggling act.
At Mercedes, the man tasked with leading exterior design is Achim Badstübner, who joined from Audi in 2013 and has had a hand in models like the GLE and CLA. Car Design News took the opportunity to sit down with him during the Munich-based Car Design Event to talk all things exteriors, hiring and how the role of the designer is evolving.
We have heard a growing narrative from some OEMs that cars are being designed from the inside out. As an exterior designer, does this resonate with you?
I don’t really agree with that thinking, personally. It is a bit of a marketing angle. In a way it is true because you do have a package to work with – you need to know where the steering wheel is, how much space you have to play with – so you have to start with the technical things. But you don’t necessarily start with the instrument panel. If you look at our EQS with the Hyperscreen, of course the screen is a major part of the design but we didn’t start with that and build everything around it. The interior is a very early input and one aspect, but not the jumping off point.
The approach will vary from brand to brand, I suppose, but yes – the exterior is usually what draws you in.
Exterior is…
This content is available to subscribers only | Sign in
Unlock exclusive design knowledge, inspiration & connection.
Knowledge
Inspiration
Billed as $194 annually
Other currencies: £149 / €179 annually
Available to new subscribers only
Knowledge
Inspiration
Connection
Billed as $259 annually
Other currencies: £199 / €239 annually
Knowledge
Inspiration
Connection
Billed as $389 annually
Other currencies: £299 / €359 annually
Explore more subscription options.
For help with individual user subscriptions please contact:
Eric Ng
Eric.Ng@ultimamedia.com
For help with multi user subscriptions please contact:
Angela Yang
Angela.Yang@cardesignnews.com
This year’s EyesOn Design show was a continuation of a theme: great cars, great designers and good times – all for a good cause.
After just over three years at the helm, Ford’s chief design officer Anthony Lo is leaving the company
The Autodesk Innovation Forum brought together experts from Kia, Rivian and Porsche to explore the roles of AI and VR in design. Freddie Holmes reports
