Automotive wraps: Ready for prime time? Once the domain of the tuner and the tradesman, the automotive wrap is coming into its own, and may predict the exterior of the future Karl Smith
“My team is very free to explore” – Stephanie Petit, CMF head at Alpine Car Design News speaks to Stephanie Petit about sustainable materials, 3D-printed finishes, and French craftsmanship – from leather traceability to illuminated triangles James McLachlan
Chery’s Tianji Vision concept is Exeedingly luxurious Car Design News goes behind the scenes with this new luxury SUV concept from Exeed Freddie Holmes
Design Driven: Polestar 3 vs. Polestar 4 Car Design News pits the Polestar 3 against its newer, younger sibling in an all-in battle royale.Which slice of Chinese-funded scandi-minimalism will win out in this design face-off Guy Bird
UAE studio Peec reimagines local icon The Nissan Patrol might seem an unlikely candidate for the luxe treatment, but its connection to UAE culture means it makes more sense than you might think Freddie Holmes
Circutex: The story of leather legend Bader’s bold move to vegan PARTNER CONTENTThis content was paid for by Bader and produced in partnership with Car Design NewsThe idea of Bader – a premium leather supplier – launching an innovative vegan and eco-conscious coated textile, alongside its existing sustainable leather products, might come as a surprise. But to meet the new needs of customers and by combining traditional design and craftsmanship with modern technology, that’s exactly what the 153-year-old family-run German business has done Guy Bird
Car Design round-up: Bugatti, Corvette and Toyota Car Design News takes a look at the news that may have gone under the radar this week, including the latest from Bugatti, Corvette and Volvo Lucy Abbott
‘Fight or flight’: the human science of perceived quality There is a reason why products resonate with consumers in a certain way, and Alina Braun has dedicated a large portion of her career to understanding that in more detail. Today, Braun is applying that knowledge in the world of car design Freddie Holmes
Pangea: “Leather is a timeless material, made modern” Rain Xia, senior designer at Pangea, spoke at Car Design Dialogues Shanghai Car Design News
Forvia’s minimalist tech shines at preview ahead of Shanghai auto show Jason White reports from Detroit where Tier 1 supplier Forvia gave a preview of what was to come at Auto Shanghai Jason White
Maserati x Giorgetti: “An obsession of craftsmanship and quality” Maserati’s Klaus Busse talks cars, furniture and applying the skill of design beyond things with four wheels Car Design News
Watch: CDN & Ultrafabrics discuss CMF survey results Car Design News and Ultrafabrics have released the results of the 2025 colour, materials and finish survey Car Design News
Results: Car Design News & Ultrafabrics Colour, Materials & Finish Trend Survey 2025 Download the results of our CMF survey to understand what’s hot and what’s not
Lacks on carbonfibre wheels: "There is endless design freedom” Michael Suchara, director of global marketing at Lacks Carbon Fiber, spoke at Car Design Dialogues Milan during the 2025 Milan design week. Here, he discusses how the company is well positioned to handle recent tariff movements, why two-piece carbonfibre wheels offer designers great flexibility, and what it was like supporting one of the fastest production cars in the world Car Design News
"In a world of artificial products, people crave things that are real" Catherine Ciftci, senior director of global design at Pangea, spoke during the Salone del Mobile at Car Design Dialogues Milan Car Design News
"Polyurethane has a place in the sustainability toolbox" Kimberley Harrington, sales manager of advanced automotive design at Ultrafabrics, spoke during the Salone del Mobile at Car Design Dialogues Milan Car Design News
“We’re not interested in gimmicks and short-term solutions” Catherine Martin, brand manager at Bridge of Weir, spoke during the Salone del Mobile at Car Design Dialogues Milan Car Design News
“We're expanding beyond the traditional ways of colour and trim” Nisha Pillai, senior CMF designer at Audi, spoke during the Salone del Mobile at Car Design Dialogues Milan Car Design News
“Creativity is a common ground among all designers” Laura Brunet, chief designer, colour and material at Lancia, spoke during the Salone del Mobile at Car Design Dialogues Milan Car Design News
“Sustainability is key, but innovation has to come first” Jo Lewis, head of CMF at McLaren Automotive, spoke during the Salone del Mobile at Car Design Dialogues Milan. Car Design News
Live blog: Car Design Dialogues Milan 2025 Get all the highlights as they happen at Car Design Dialogues Milan Car Design News
Composites in car design: new opportunities Composites have been discussed for decades as the future of automotive bodies, chassis and other assemblies. But what really works? We ask an expert Karl Smith
Keep it simple: can a mono-material strategy reshape interior design? In this abridged feature from the Spring 2025 issue of Interior Motives, we consider how one material for key interior structures could boost recyclability and celebrate sculptural form over visual complexity Freddie Holmes
Traditional CMF: development, digitalisation and desirability Designers describe the benefits of using traditional materials inside the cabin, but digitalisation and material development could change the game Michael Nash
The design experts behind Chery’s new Journeo concept study From achieving ‘China speed’ to the crucial role of AI in the cockpit, Car Design News speaks to the design experts at Chery Automobile Lucy Abbott
Ultrasuede continues push for plant-based suede with award-winning autonomous shuttle concept PARTNER CONTENTThis content was paid for by Toray and produced in partnership with Car Design NewsInnovative materials supplier Toray has showcased its latest plant-based efforts with a new autonomous shuttle concept Car Design News
Car Design round-up: Bentley, Toyota and Lexus Car Design News takes a look at some of the stories that may have gone under the radar this week. Read on for the latest from Bentley, Toyota and Lexus Lucy Abbott
Bader leather: well-designed, premium and sustainable PARTNER CONTENTThis content was paid for by Badar and produced in partnership with Car Design NewsBader is a 153-year-old family-run premium leather supplier striving to combine traditional design and craftsmanship, with modern technology, sustainability and social responsibility Car Design News
Morgan modernises with new Supersport flagship Traditional British marque, Morgan Motor Company, has introduced a slightly more modern design language on its new flagship, the Supersport. Mark Smyth
Innovation in CMF – new materials, challenges and changes Carmakers and suppliers handpick a variety of new materials that could be used for interior design, discussing both the benefits and challenges of adoption Michael Nash
Bold, clean and spacey: Lynk & Co interior team on the Z10 Car Design News takes a closer look at the interior of the Lynk & Co Z10, which draws inspiration from spacecraft Freddie Holmes
Five new material trends: from apple pomace to optical fibre CMF experts CnT Factory provides a valuable insight into five of the latest material trends CnTFactory
March Focus: Materials This month Car Design News will be exploring the current materials landscape across traditional and new materials Lucy Abbott
Car Design round-up: Bentley, Skoda and Toyota Car Design News takes a look at some of the stories that may have gone under the radar this week. Read on for the latest from Bentley, Skoda and Toyota Lucy Abbott
Rolls-Royce announces Black Badge Spectre The Rolls-Royce Black Badge Spectre makes its global debut in a new Vapour Violet paint finish Lucy Abbott
Collaboration central to materials innovation, says Ultrafabrics Ultrafabrics aims to redefine what it means to be an automotive supplier, positioning itself as a development partner with cross-industry expertise Car Design News
Achieving true sustainability: the questions designers should be asking PARTNER CONTENTThis content was paid for by Bridge of Weir and produced in partnership with Car Design NewsWith designers under ever more time pressure, making sure that materials are sustainably sourced is a challenge and that means asking the right questions, says premium leather supplier Bridge of Weir Car Design News
Genesis CMF designer Hailee Hyeyeon Kim juggles tradition with innovation Hailee Hyeyeon Kim of Genesis describes how her experience in the consumer electronics world is helping sculpt her work for the luxury brand Michael Nash
Watch on demand: Panel discussion - The future of German automotive design Join us live to explore heritage vs. modern mobility, sustainability's impact on design, and how supplier collaboration drives innovation in today's world Car Design News
Interior Motives: the science of designing a colour How do CMF teams tackle the design of a new interior colour? What are the starting points, and how is a material mastered for sign-off? Nick Hull investigates the approach of two brands in contrasting segments to find out more Nick Hull
Tata reimagines iconic Sierra, reveals new Avinya brand The SUV enamoured by Gen X has been reborn, this time looking to connect with the next generation of younger drivers. Alongside it sits a new sub-brand, dubbed Avinya, bringing an entirely new level of luxury into the Tata fold. CDN visited the UK studio to learn more, with global and European design bosses Martin Uhlarik and Aurelien Doisy on hand to show us around James McLachlan Freddie Holmes
Interior Motives: materials strategy with Vicki von Holzhausen Interior Motives interviewed CMF specialist Vicki von Holzhausen for the Autumn 2024 edition Car Design News
EyesOn Design Awards 2025: the winners As a proud sponsor of the EyesOn Design awards, Car Design News can reveal the winning cars at this year’s event in Detroit Karl Smith
Interview: Madalina Marcu, head of product quality, McLaren What are the nuances for perceived quality between high and low volume car brands? We spoke to someone who has worked on both sides Freddie Holmes
January focus: perceived quality This January Car Design News will be placing perceived quality under the spotlight Car Design News
Interior Motives: Fiat Grande Panda The 2024 Fiat Grande Panda is part of a new family of vehicles that lean into the legacy of the very first one, but in intelligent new ways Guy Bird
Make Lancia great again – CDN visits Centro Stile Brutalist architecture, classic italian furniture and bold geometry are the nucleus of Lancia’s revival. Car Design News paid a visit to Centro Stile to hear from new design boss – and brand super fan – Gianni Colonello James McLachlan
DS goes luxury chic with flagship No.8 Since Stellantis launched the DS brand back in 2009, you could say the models have been somewhat over-designed. Now the design team are reining things back in, starting with a brand new flagship model, the DS No.8. Mark Smyth travelled to the DS Studio in Paris to take a look Mark Smyth
A closer look at the Callum Skye’s interior design It has been over a year since Callum revealed the Skye concept, but now Ian Callum’s design and engineering consultancy has revealed the interior Mark Smyth
The world is getting phygital, and so is car design PARTNER CONTENTThis content was paid for by Granstudio and produced in partnership with Car Design NewsWith a phygital approach to design, Granstudio’s transdisciplinary creative team ensure that context and individual needs are at the heart of every project Car Design News
Interior Motives: Cadillac Sollei Interior Motives takes a deep dive into the interior of the Cadillac Sollei concept, and speaks with the design team behind it Karl Smith
Pininfarina CCO on restoring Honda’s first ever concept car The Honda HP-X has been beautifully restored by Pininfarina, capturing an iconic glimpse in time. But instead of feeling nostalgic, the design team is looking ahead to challenge market convergences Michael Nash
Callum Designs predicts Aqua Mist as the colour for 2025 Aqua Mist, Midnight Tide and Neon Riot all come together to create a vibrant but calming colour palette in 2025. Mark Smyth spoke to the team at Callum Designs about their predictions Mark Smyth
Watch on demand: Designing light - innovations in automotive lighting Watch our exclusive livestream on demand, exploring the evolving role of automotive lighting in a world of increasing complexity. Lighting isn’t just about safety anymore—it’s all about branding and user experience. In this session, we explored cool new technologies, how lighting laws are changing things, and how lighting helps shape a car’s identity. Think illuminated logos, dynamic light patterns, and how lighting can make a car feel more emotional and functional at the same time. Car Design News
Jaguar reimagined: new restomod launches amid brand revamp As Jaguar launches its new marketing campaign ahead of a complete makeover, British firm TWR has revealed a tribute to the XJS Car Design News
Interior Motives: Nilu27 – Analogue Purism Sasha Selipanov realises his dream of creating a hypercar with a visceral driving experience Karl Smith
Callum revisits stunning C-X75 supercar Legendary designer Ian Callum describes working on “the one that got away” and the principles of designing for longevity Freddie Holmes
Thinking outside the box – how Merck is reshaping CMF exploration PARTNER CONTENTThis content was paid for by Merck and produced in partnership with Car Design NewsMerck has devised a new story-telling solution that puts the latest trends and technologies on the desk of CMF designers, kickstarting a conversation among various stakeholders and giving solid answers to real problems Car Design News
Karma design bosses reveal the ‘ultimate’ edition of the Revero Michelle Christensen and Nicholas David share the design story behind the brand’s latest ultra luxury performance coupe Freddie Holmes
Quarterre’s McLaren luggage bridges the gap between automotive and fashion Branching out into its own branded products for the first time, design firm Quarterre has been instrumental in the development of Schedoni Modena’s new range. Trinity Francis
Cadillac CMF chief: "I fell in love with the idea of being a fashion designer for a car" At the Paris Auto Show, Cadillac’s CMF manager Laetitia Lopez spoke to Car Design News about material innovation, having a dedicated CMF studio and the diverse nature of her team James McLachlan
Bio leather and beyond – Brusarosco explores new sustainable solutions Being truly sustainable is hard to do – and sometimes even harder to prove – but bio-based leather supplier Brusarosco has both bases covered, while still managing to create beautiful and innovative end products for automotive seating, steering wheels and dashboards Car Design News
Knitting the future: Shawmut creates innovative, recyclable suede alternative PARTNER CONTENTThis content was paid for by Shawmut and produced in partnership with Car Design NewsShawmut addresses two key drawbacks of traditional urethane-infused non-woven suedes – sustainability and ease of use – through Neoluxe Car Design News
Cupra CMF lead explains matte paint, copper accent strategy Francesca Sangalli, head of colour and trim at Cupra, explains how distinct colour themes, finishes and parametric patterns help the brand stand out Freddie Holmes
Swarovski Mobility on ‘the science of creativity’ Crystal is a relatively new material to the automotive industry and design teams looking to bring it in require an experienced partner James McLachlan
Latest material trends by CNT Factory CMF experts CNT Factory pick out some groundbreaking projects and materials, including work from BMW and Freitag
The mysterious role of perceived quality in car design The science of perceived quality ensures a product materialises as intended Freddie Holmes
Caterham 620S: timeless car design and form following function Following an earlier experience with the entry-level Super 600, Car Design News gets to know the raucous and hands-on Caterham Seven 620S. It surprised not only with its performance, but also the user experience Freddie Holmes
Car design round-up: Mauer’s anniversary, Nissan’s cool paint and Monterey Car Week Car Design News looks at some of the design stories that may have gone under the radar over the past week. Read on for the latest news in brief Car Design News
In pictures: 2024 Cadillac SOLLEI Concept A custard-coloured Cadillac was revealed yesterday, showcasing beautiful forms and incredible attention to detail on the interior Car Design News
Design analysis: Designing a paint colour Car Design News speaks to the CMF team at Envisage to delve into the highly specialised area of paint design Nick Hull
Interview: Alena Gersonde, senior colour and material designer, Mazda Motor Europe From a spell working as a motorsport journalist to shaping the look and feel of new cars, the German-Italian designer discusses the collaborative aspect of CMF, smart surfaces and transporting European flavours to Japan Freddie Holmes
Mazda explores old solutions to new CMF problems A visit to Marseille revealed how Mazda is drawing inspiration from age-old painting and dyeing techniques Freddie Holmes
Milan Design Week: A CMF sampler Furniture, fashion, cars, make for a veritable feast of materials. Car Design News sampled the offerings at Milan Design Week 2024 Karl Smith
Cadillac fashions its EV future with new Optiq Cadillac is continuing to rebrand for the electrified era. Its first EV, the Lyriq, debuted four years ago and since then the design team at the famous American marque have brought us the luxurious Celestiq, the Escalade IQ and revealed the 2025 seven-seater Vistiq Mark Smyth
“Our inspiration is in people and the character they have” Cupra used the reveal of its new Leon and Formentor models in Madrid to underline its commitment to a new design language distinct from the ‘performance Seat’ look. The brand also unveiled bespoke design studio Cupra Design Mark Smyth
“What makes a material interesting is its story” Gaia Crippa, head of materials innovation at Chris Lefteri Design, speaks to Car Design News in Milan at the Maserati showroom James McLachlan
Ford team creates China-specific trim for new Bronco China is the first market outside of the US to have received a variant of the Bronco SUV tailored to its needs Freddie Holmes
”Evolving our heritage and our brand is strongly connected to also evolving luxury” Car Design Night Milan at the Maserati showroom in Milan gathered industry leaders from General Motors, Changan, Mercedes-Benz and more James McLachlan
“We are trying to create a pure design where technology is there but not in the foreground” Head of interior at Maserati Andreas Wuppinger on the relationship between timesless design and evolving technology James McLachlan
Rethinking luxury: key takeaways from CDN Milan ’24 Read on for the main talking points from the panel discussion held during the Salone del Mobile Car Design News
Menorca offers clean alternative to conventional suede PARTNER CONTENTThis content was paid for by Menorca and produced in partnership with Car Design NewsA new water-based microfibre suede has been created in response to growing demand for clean yet durable automotive materials Car Design News
“Less-than-perfect surfaces are key to a more sustainable future” Head of materials at Chris Lefteri Design, Gaia Crippa, speaks to Car Design News ahead of the CDN Milan Design Night James McLachlan
Martina Starke shifts from Designworks to Rolls-Royce The long-time BMW Group designer has traded Munich for Goodwood Freddie Holmes
“Storytelling and creativity will become much more important in luxury” Ahead of the Milan Design Night, Peter Widmann, senior vice president and managing director of Swarovski Mobility, speaks to Car Design News about the brand’s recent work which marries decorative crystals with functionality and his predictions for the future of luxury.
“We all need to slow down and pay attention to the details” Miko Srl’s head of marketing Benedetta Terraneo on reacting to customer demands and why she finds the little details so inspiring James McLachlan
Watch: Benedetta Terraneo on technical innovation at Miko Srl Miko Srl’s head of marketing Benedetta Terraneo speaks to Car Design News about technical innovation around materials and why speed of development is the main challenge facing suppliers James McLachlan
Interview: Debra Choong, Bridge of Weir Scottish leather company Bridge of Weir has opened a design studio in Warwick, near Coventry. Car Design News spoke with head of design Debra Choong to garner her thoughts on the industry James McLachlan
Colour trends to expect in car design Car Design News investigates how Colour of the Year forecasts are playing out in the automotive space Freddie Holmes
Car Design News returns to Milan Car Design News is returning to the Salone del Mobile in Milan to explore new ideas of luxury Car Design News
Watch: Bentley’s design heads on the brand’s future Car Design News paid a visit to Bentley at the luxury British marque’s Crewe headquarters to speak to the department heads of exterior, interior and CMF James McLachlan
Interior Motives: Amy Frascella CMF design has emerged from the shadow of interior and exterior design teams. Car Design News spoke to CMF expert Amy Frascella about the discipline’s quiet revolution James McLachlan
Interior Motives: Tata Avinya Taking its cues from catamaran design with a dollop of modernism, the Tata Avinya marks a sea-change for the Indian brand James McLachlan
Interior Motives: Dacia Manifesto Dacia has torn up the rulebook with its latest concept. Originally a thought experiment for the company’s brand values, the Manifesto project quickly snowballed into concept that was driven from the inside out Freddie Holmes
New plant-based Ultrasuede® showcases brand direction Ultrasuede® is moving towards a future of plant-based and sustainable materials. With its latest technology, a new variety of Ultrasuede® has been developed using 100% plant-based polyester Car Design News
The Changan Qiyuan A07 is an oriental-inspired intelligent EV A strong theme of Chinese culture runs through the electric four-door sedan, influencing everything from the underlying form language and interior design to the unique exterior paint Car Design News
CMF ignites curiosity among other teams CMF innovation manager at Stellantis Danila Giordano explains the role of CMF in bringing together different design departments Laura Burstein
Develop materials digitally to innovate more quickly Materials director Amy Frascella on the benefits of using digital tools in CMF James McLachlan
Car design goes (sage) green Sage green has become a popular colour palette for new cars, both production and concept Freddie Holmes
The Volvo team unpacks the EX90 The team behind Volvo’s flagship EX90 offer their unique perspectives on the design development of the car James McLachlan
Feature: Car Design and Fashion Fashion has always had an influence on car design and collaborations between the two are nothing new. But when individuals within those industries work together, with equal input and interest, the results can be spectacular. Interior Motives investigates a few recent high-profile examples… Guy Bird
Flashback: Michelin Vision Tire (2017) For this edition of our recently revived ‘Flashback’ feature, we take a look at an advanced tire/wheel concept by Michelin that may be a game-changer Karl Smith
First Sight: Mercedes-Benz Vision One-Eleven – Orange Revolution Mercedes has launched the Vision One-Eleven, which draws on the legendary C111 from 1970. Car Design News was on hand for a first-hand look Jens Meiners
SMMT event highlights pros and cons in modern car design CDN writers take various new cars for a spin and give their view on where the user experience excels in some cases and falls down in others Car Design News
Noteworthy design roles: Cadillac’s Alexandra Dymowska brings brand thinking to the design studio In her unique position, the fine-artist-turned-designer leads a cross-disciplinary team that puts stories before sketches Laura Burstein
CMF teams target closer collaboration with engineering Below are the key takeaways from CDN’s recent livestream: how will CMF shape an electric future? Freddie Holmes
Circularity in car design requires a culture shift Sustainable car design is finally starting to gain speed but it needs to accelerate faster and more credibly than ever. Jonathan Bell gauges the state of the industry By Jonathan Bell
How is future mobility shaping CMF? Ahead of an upcoming livestream on future materials, Car Design News caught up with a handful of experts in the space to get a handle on the main talking points in this exciting field Freddie Holmes
Elmo on circularity and ‘Zero Waste Leather’ Leather supplier Elmo discusses its unique circular production methodology and why authentic leather remains a sustainable option Car Design News
Corvette E-Ray team discusses interior strategy The storied American sports car celebrates its seventieth anniversary with the most technically advanced and fastest model ever. Car Design News thought it would be a good time to catch up with the Corvette interiors team to learn what is new with the E-Ray interior Karl Smith
Watch: How will CMF shape an electric future? Watch this premier livestream, in partnership with Ultrafabrics, where our panel will explore new ways to reshape the exterior and interior of cars. James McLachlan
Opinion: Bring colour back to car interiors Be it vibrant or muted, colour can inject personality and warmth into the car interior so let’s bring it back, says Jens Meiners Jens Meiners
First sight: the new Mazda CX-90 Mazda’s new flagship SUV infuses grown-up elegance into the brand’s sporty design language Laura Burstein
How will autonomous driving shape car design? This month, Car Design News will be placing a spotlight on what autonomous driving means for car design. There are many different variables at play and it is very early days, but here are some of the key considerations Freddie Holmes
Watch: Adobe Substance 3D: Create, Iterate, and Visualize Car Design Concepts Watch this webinar, in partnership with Adobe where they discuss how Adobe Substance 3D apps help transportation designers with their creative workflows and enhance collaboration with digital design reviews. James McLachlan
Rising to the challenge of a new type of Ferrari Ferrari has entered a new segment with the Purosangue, but how big a challenge was its design for Flavio Manzoni and his team? Mark Smyth
Merc CMF lead talks luxury and innovation Occa Büchner, team lead for colour and trim material innovations at Mercedes-Benz, discusses the evolution of interiors and the impact of digitalisation on materials Michael Nash
Alcantara targets sustainability without compromise A new partially-recycled version of Alcantara is on the market – Car Design News was invited to Italy for a closer look and a conversation with the boss, Andrea Boragno Freddie Holmes
The Polestar 3 breaks cover in Copenhagen Polestar debuted its full-sized SUV to media, dealers, and customers at a special event in Copenhagen, showing off a crucial model for the brand as it inches closer to a full lineup. Car Design News was there Laura Burstein
Watch: Is the future of automotive design in software? This CDN livestream featured speakers from Volvo, Bugatti Rimac, TomTom and The Qt Company. We discuss how automotive designers are using connected technologies in informing design decisions. James McLachlan
Mini’s design boss discusses new minimal aesthetic Car Design News caught up with Oliver Heilmer, head of design at Mini, to discuss the brand’s muscly new Aceman concept and the challenge of bringing the Mini spirit to a crossover Freddie Holmes
Inside the one-off Porsche that sold in Monterey for a record $3.6m Porsche designer Grant Larson gives North American correspondent Laura Burstein an exclusive walkaround of the custom 911 GTS created with Pixar and sold for charity Laura Burstein
Zeekr teases new MPV Zeekr, the fresh face under the Geely umbrella, has teased new images of its 009 minivan. Car Design News caught up with head of interior design, Sergio Loureiro da Silva, to discuss the design brief and how it balances high-tech with minimalism Freddie Holmes
Autonomous shuttle concept goes all in on wellness Car Design News caught up with Julie Jacobs, design manager at Sage Automotive Interiors, to discuss the latest in a series of concepts and where autonomous vehicle interiors may be headed in future Freddie Holmes
Watch: Is data visualization at the center of your decision-making? Watch this new webinar, in partnership with Dassault Systèmes where they discuss the visualization and collaboration capabilities of their 3DEXPERIENCE platform.
Interview: Maria Mulder, head of colour and trim at Bentley Creating emotional connection through storytelling, sustainability, and pushing boundaries – Bentley’s head of colour and trim Maria Mulder talks interiors and material innovation Michael Nash
From neglect to respect: Car interiors become a priority In a recent Car Design News livestream, experts from General Motors, Lotus and Lawrence Technical University discuss the future of vehicle interiors and look back on what has changed Freddie Holmes
One for all: Renault unveils Scenic Vision concept The stocky SUV is described as the rebirth of a legend following the original family-first Scenic MPV Freddie Holmes
Watch: Back to the Future of Interiors Watch this Car Design News livestream featuring General Motors, Group Lotus and Lawrence Technological University as they reflect on changing interiors over the last 20 years and as they look ahead to the next 20. James McLachlan
JLR reveals the new Range Rover Sport The new Range Rover Sport has been revealed and Car Design News joined the design team for an in-depth look Mark Smyth
Less is more – the changing face of luxury automotive interiors Designers from BMW, Polestar, Pininfarina, Italdesign and ELeather discuss how green ambitions are redefining interior luxury Freddie Holmes
First Sight: Tata Avinya concept heralds premium EV push The Avinya concept showcases Tata’s new EV-only platform, a move upmarket and a desire to sell in more international markets for the Indian industrial powerhouse Guy Bird
Uncovering the Secrets of Porsche’s Concepts Ingo Scheinhütte, advanced design exterior manager at Porsche, talks Car Design News through the studio’s process when creating design studies Laura Burstein
First Sight: Could Audi Urbansphere herald China MPV revival? With the Urbansphere, Audi’s design team has turned the ’van-with-windows’ approach to the MPV on its head. Can this concept revive the segment? Guy Bird
Mazda Aims for Outdoorsy Crowd with the new CX-50 Mazda‘s CX-50 combines precise driving dynamics with a more rugged look than we are used to seeing from the Japanese OEM, writes Laura Burstein Laura Burstein
Smart restarts brand with #1 compact electric SUV The German marque best known for its tiny urban cars is breaching out into the electric SUV segment. Michael Nash reports on the smart #1 Michael Nash
Watch: What does the luxury car interior of the future look like? This CDN livestream featured speakers from BMW, Polestar, ELeather, Italdesign and Automobili Pininfarina. We discuss the current definitions of luxury, how consumer attitudes are changing and how design can lead the way to a better future.
Tata throws a Curvv ball into the Indian market Tata Motors is introducing the next stage of its Impact Design language with its Concept Curvv. Mark Smyth spoke with the design team that created it Mark Smyth
First Sight: Eletre kickstarts Lotus lifestyle range Lotus launched its first SUV – the Eletre – to the world on Tuesday 29th March 2022 in an evening event in west London, UK. Luckily, Car Design News had already been invited to a series of previews of the large luxury lifestyle EV and interviewed its key designers. What follows is our first impressions and their thoughts… Guy Bird
Grecale blows in from Modena Maserati has revealed its second SUV, the Grecale, which aims to deliver unique design and competitive performance
Driven: The 2022 Lincoln Navigator The stately Lincoln Navigator receives a few exterior design tweaks, but it is the interior where the mid-cycle revamp is most keenly felt. Laura Burstein gets behind the wheel Laura Burstein
First Sight: Mazda CX-60 signals new platform and interior quality Japanese maverick brand Mazda launched its new CX-60 SUV in the virtual world, but Car Design News’ Guy Bird got an early sit in its cabin in a secret location in Germany to talk through the production car’s design with Mazda’s European design director Jo Stenuit Guy Bird
Polestar Unveils O2 Concept The Polestar O2 is a sporty roadster which aims to be a “halo statement” for the electric luxury brand Laura Burstein
Car Design Dialogues: Data-driven Interiors An expert panel including designers from GAC, Hyundai, Lincoln and Stellantis examine how data is shaping the design of car interiors
Driven: Infiniti QX60 Infiniti’s best-selling vehicle in the U.S., the QX60, has been updated with a new design and refined driving dynamics Laura Burstein
First Sight: Ford F-150 Lightning Pro The commercial grade of the full-sized pickup is one piece of Ford’s ambitious new plan for business owners Laura Burstein
First Sight: Production Alfa Romeo Tonale heralds “new era” The Alfa Romeo Tonale features connectivity, digitisation and electrification to usher in a new era for the Italian OEM Guy Bird
Ford expands its design centre in Shanghai American automotive giant Ford has expanded its design centre in Shanghai to include a clay modelling studio and showroom
Interior Motives Winter 2021 Digital Edition The winter edition of Interior Motives features in depth coverage of the Range Rover MK5, BMW i VIsion Circular, Mullen Five and Hyundai Seven. Plus, we bring you the latest colour and trim trends and highlight the most significant latest launches
More 80s than a neon disco – the Hyundai Grandeur Hyundai continues to explore its heritage with a fully electric version of its 1986 flagship the Grandeur James McLachlan
Watch: SangYup Lee on winning Car Design Review Production Car of the Year The Hyundai Ioniq 5 emerges as a clear winner in the Production Car of the Year in respected industry journal Car Design Review, as voted for by a panel of expert car designers Michael Nash
Interview: Adrian van Hooydonk, BMW Group director of design Mark Smyth chatted to BMW Group’s head of design, Adrian van Hooydonk about responding to criticism, circular design, why designers need to use fewer parts Mark Smyth
BMW opens Materia exhibit on biomaterials Sustainability is at the core of a new exhibition from BMW, highlighting potential uses for biomaterials in vehicles and beyond Michael Nash
Interior Futures Livestream – Discover Cutting-Edge Research on the Future of Car Interiors Car Design News speaks to an expert panel of designers, including from Volkswagen and Lucid, to examine the future of car interiors when viewed through the lens of electrification, autonomous driving, material and technological innovation and sustainability. Plus download a full copy of CDN’s future of interiors research report Car Design News
Exclusive interview: Maximilian Missoni, head of design, Polestar Car Design News contributing editor Guy Bird spoke to Polestar’s head of design Maximilian Missoni about sustainability goals, future products and why the brand does not need to please everyone
Interior Motives Autumn 2021 Digital Edition The autumn edition of Interior Motives features in depth coverage of the Audi Grandsphere, Volkswagen ID.Life, Volvo Concept Recharge and the Mini Strip with Paul Smith. Plus, we bring you the latest colour and trim trends and highlight the most significant latest launches
CDN Podcast Ep 15 featuring Sandra Höner Zu Bentrup, Mazda Mazda senior designer Sandra Höner Zu Bentrup talks about sustainability, the interior as a living space concept, and the role of screens Michael Nash
Mazda pops the cork on electric MX-30 Mazda started life as a cork company and is now using the material in its first EV. Car Design News’ Deputy editor Michael Nash visits the site in Portugal where the material is processed Michael Nash
Design Interview: Rivian’s Jeff Hammoud Rivian’s head of design Jeff Hammoud talks about the electric R1T pickup truck and how his team helped to make it a reality Laura Burstein
A roadster for the future? The Aura Concept A coalition of companies including Astheimer have launched a streamlined EV roadster that takes cues from Auto Union racers to improve efficiency and reduce the dreaded range anxiety James McLachlan
Renault 5 wins Concept Car of the Year in Car Design Review 8 The Renault 5 wins Concept Car of the Year in industry journal Car Design Review, seeing off strong competition from Lexus and Polestar James McLachlan
Ford modernises 2022 Expedition with design tweaks The new 2022 Ford Expedition gets some subtle design changes on the outside while the interior is completely fresh Michael Nash
Interior Motives Summer 2021: Mercedes Benz EQS The Mercedes EQS’ mother of all screens polarised the design community between believers and sceptics. However, Guy Bird finds there is more to the German’s marque’s interior than its vaunted black mirror Guy Bird
Interior Motives Summer 2021: Lincoln Zephyr New sedan designed in California for the Chinese market employs classic Lincoln design cues as well as the OEMs new concept of ‘quiet flight’ to target a young, progressive crowd Laura Burstein
Interior Motives Summer 2021: GAC Enpulse With a refulgent yellow interior, a structurally impressive IP and pop culture stylings, GAC’s Los Angeles team has designed a sportscar for the digital age with the Enpulse James McLachlan
Pininfarina’s Teorema concept aims to put the enjoyment back into the journey In some eyes, autonomous vehicles sucks the fun out of driving, which is why Pininfarina’s new mobility concept is aimed at helping enjoy travel in new ways James McLachlan
Interior Motives Summer 2021 Digital Edition The summer edition of Interior Motives has landed featuring exclusive coverage of the Lincoln Zephyr, GAC Enpulse, SAIC Airo and the Mercedes EQS. Plus we bring you the latest colour and trim trends
Return to the ICE age: Lotus launches the petrol-powered Emira Though it speaks a design language set out by EV hypercar the Evija, Lotus’ newest effort, the Emira is a potent petrol-powered junior supercar. And the Geely-owned OEM wants to sell lots of them. James McLachlan
Studio Visit: Nissan Design America With an eclectic spirit fostered by the late Jerry Hirshberg, the California satellite studio in La Jolla is a designer’s sanctuary with a storied history Laura Burstein
Interior Motives Spring 2021: Hyundai Ioniq 5 A calming colour palette, sliding centre console and fridge magnet style personalisation – Hyundai’s Ioniq borrows from domestic design to create a coherent, usable interior rather than ‘la la land’ concepts Guy Bird
High Voltage: Mustang Mach-E GT The new Mustang trades the V8 muscle associated with the namplate for a battery-powered crossover. CDN discusses the CMT proposal with lead designer Janet Seymour Car Design News James McLachlan
Interior Motives Spring 2021 Digital Edition The spring edition of Interior Motives is out now featuring cutting edge design concepts and the newest production launches, with exclusive coverage of the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Nio ET7, DS4, Mini Vision Urbanaut plus a deep dive into the future of screens and the latest colour and trim trends
Watch: Interior design fuses technology and materials Design experts and professors come together to discuss the challenging relationship between materials and technology for car interiors Car Design News
Watch: Alcantara material weaves customisation with eco credentials This film showcases the wide variety of applications for Alcantara, from fashion to cars, as well as its impact on the environment Car Design News
Interior Motives Winter 2020 Digital Edition The winter edition of Interior Motives is out now featuring cutting edge design and high-end materials, with exclusive coverage of the Mercedes Maybach S-Class, BMW iX, Maserati MC20, Hyundai Prophecy and more
Car Design Dialogues: Photorealism and Creativity for Digital Materials Technology wields greater influence that ever before in the world of car design. Adobe’s head of special projects explains more
Car Design Dialogues: Dinamica – the sustainable choice Sage Automotive’s Michele Wascavage explains Dinamica – and eco microfiber used by VW, Jaguar Land Rover, Mercedes and many more
Interior Motives Autumn 2020 Digital Edition Check out the autumn digital edition of Interior Motives, featuring in-depth interior design trends, interviews, sketches and galleries featuring Rolls-Royce Ghost, Volkswagen ID.4, Jeep Grand Wagoneer, Buick Elektra and more
Interior Motives Summer 2020 Digital Edition Check out the summer digital edition of Interior Motives, featuring in-depth interior design trends, interviews, sketches and galleries featuring Renault, Polestar, Tata, Ford and more
Interior Motives Spring 2020 Digital Edition Check out the spring digital edition of Interior Motives, featuring in-depth interior design trends, interviews, sketches and galleries featuring Lexus, GMC, BMW, GAC and more
How Mazda matched colour with design Mazda has developed paint coatings and application technology to fit with its vehicle design philosophy to both enhance the aesthetics and be environmentally sustainable Nick Holt
Material values Jochen Hardt, Vice President, Global Marketing Mobility at Covestro, puts the case for polymers and polycarbonates in mobility solutions Covestro
How to do car design remotely – Ford colour and materials The Coronavirus pandemic has changed the way in which millions of people around the world are living and working. The automotive industry is scrambling to adapt, and while some areas such as manufacturing have come to a halt, the latest digital tools are allowing car designers to keep going. In this series of short articles, Car Design News talks to the world’s leading designers about virtual car design, the challenges and the possibilities.Ford’s colour and materials design manager, Allen Brown, describes how he and his team have adapted the way they work. Michael Nash
Lexus LF-30 - interior design development Big, electric, luxurious and driver-focussed, this concept explores what a future Lexus should be Guy Bird
Top 5 colour and trim trends by CnT Factory The CnT Factory team provide a detailed examination of current colour and trim trends and their impact on the auto industry CnTFactory
2021 GMC Yukon Denali - interior story What is quintessential American luxury? The Denali interior is a good place to start Laura Burstein
BMW i Interaction Ease - interior only concept The monolithic presence of the Interaction Ease belies the intuitive user interface within Nick Gibbs
