In pictures: Ford GT40 MkIII An in-depth look at the Ford GT40 MkIII, a road-ready twist on a motorsport icon Trinity Francis
The intersection between chemistry, materials and design Misty Yeomans, colour styling manager, Americas at PPG, gives her take on the main trends around automotive paint and colour Freddie Holmes
Karma doubles up at Monterey Car Week The Amaris and Gyesera mark a concrete move towards an expanded 'for sale' line-up Freddie Holmes
The story behind the McLaren W1’s aero design More than a decade on from the McLaren P1, João Dias, former head of exterior design at McLaren Automotive walks us through the brand’s new ‘decade car’ Trinity Francis
Brouillard heralds new era of bespoke Bugatti design Bugatti is launching a new one-off programme called Solitaire, the first product of which is the Brouillard Mark Smyth
“Wedge Revolution” highlights a busy summer at the Petersen Museum The Petersen and Franz von Holzhausen curate a classic selection of “Wedge” cars, plus some lesser known oddities from this storied era Karl Smith
July focus: Aerodynamics Car Design News explores the topic of aerodynamics from various angles this month Freddie Holmes
Inside the design process of Dacora Motors' $500,000 EV Car Design News spoke to Dacora Motors’ CEO & co-founder Kristie D’Ambrosio-Correll about collaborating with Pininfarina, natural aesthetics and sustainability as a core principle of design Lucy Abbott
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
June focus: Surfacing Read on for a brief round-up of surfacing-related stories from the month of June Car Design News
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
First sight: Omoda 9 Chery International’s new brand Omoda is moving fast. Since launching in 2022 under the Chery moniker, Omoda has morphed into a standalone brand with its sights trained on the European premium market. Car Design News took a look at the Omoda 9 flaghship James McLachlan
Interview: Lynk & Co design president Stefan Rosen on creating the ‘anti-Volvo’ In light of the launch of Lynk & Co’s 08, Car Design News spoke to design president Stefan Rosen on how the brand’s design language has evolved Lucy Abbott
“I don’t have a computer and I can’t do CAD; I have a drawing board everywhere I go” Gordon Murray, the ”engineer with an artistic bent”, talks Car Design News through his path to design, the handful of modern cars he likes and his unashamedly analogue mindset Stephen Dobie
Ten cars that defined the Art Deco era Car Design News looks back on an era of fabulous automotive designs, many of which emerged in some of the darkest moments in modern times Karl Smith
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
“Fine driving” meets fine design with the Bovensiepen Zagato The Bovensiepen name is already famous many times over for its ties to Alpina, the famous BMW modification outfit from Buchloe, Germany. Now, the family name has been elevated to the front of the bonnet, not just on a plaque in the cockpit Freddie Holmes
Urban Automotive: “OEM+ is about complementing already great designs” Car Design News sat down with Urban Automotive founder Simon Dearn to discuss modification, styling and why certain cars just make sense for ‘OEM plus’ work Freddie Holmes
‘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
CDR 11: “Studiokurbos moves with speed, agility and independence” Andreas Kurbos, CEO of Studiokurbos, speaks on the growing importance of CMF design and the integration of smartphones into vehicles Car Design News
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
Italdesign talks pick-ups, materials and converging design worlds Italdesign’s Joaquin Garcia gives CDN a walkaround of the Quintessenza concept and explores the idea of simplicity Freddie Holmes
Sex and mystery vs. tech and trends – Italy’s design battle CDN talks to designers at Ferrari, Alfa Romeo, Estrema and Bertone about the history of Italian design and what the future might hold Michael Nash
GM’s UK studio reveals first major project: an electric Corvette concept With an all-star team led by Julian Thomson, the Midlands-based design studio has lifted the covers on a blistering new concept Freddie Holmes
Car Design round-up: Aston Martin, Audi and Mazda Car Design News takes a look at the news that may have gone under the radar, including the latest from Aston Martin, Audi, Continental and Mazda Lucy Abbott
Changan’s European debut: “Design talent is what you need to create success” China’s oldest automaker and one of the ‘Big Four’ in the country has officially arrived in Europe – Car Design News reports Lucy Abbott
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
Smart reveals its first mid-size SUV, smart #5 The German marque has expanded its smart product line-up in the UK, with the smart #5 becoming the third electric model introduced within three years Lucy Abbott
First Sight: Volvo’s Jeremy Offer on the ES90 and beyond From 1980s Coupé inspiration to 2025 tech challenges and future opportunities, Volvo’s head of global design Jeremy Offer gets candid Guy Bird
Car Design round-up: Ford, Renault and Mahindra 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 Ford, Renault and Mahindra Lucy Abbott
First sight: Renault 5 Turbo 3E Car Design News visits Renault in Paris to become acquainted with its new mini supercar and to speak to Renault’s chief design officer Laurens Van Den Acker Lucy Abbott
Lighting and screens define new Mercedes CLA This new generation Mercedes-Benz CLA brings a familiar form to the table, now packed full of technology and more reliant on lighting than ever Freddie Holmes
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
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
New Audi A6 Avant revealed We suspect this premium estate is one of the last to be designed by the previous head of Audi design, Marc Lichte Lucy Abbott
First sight: VW ID. Every1 concept VW design boss Andy Mindt gives an early walkaround of the new concept which, two years into his tenure, now sets the stage for a new design language 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
Alfa Romeo reveals new Intensa special series The new series is positioned at the top of the range and is the first to involve the new Junior Lucy Abbott
Caterham design boss Anthony Jannarelly on his new ‘Art Car’ capsule range Car Design News catches up with the French designer as he launches his new carbon-panelled, Ferrari-based Ælla-60 Stephen Dobie
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
Kia reveals new EV4 exterior design Kia has presented a first look at the exterior design of the new EV4, with saloon and hatchback variants Lucy Abbott
Car design round-up: Volvo, Renault and Mini 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 Volvo, Renault and Mini Lucy Abbott
Design driven: the functional yet fun Dacia Duster The Dacia Duster is a pretty accomplished off-roader that will appeal to outdoorsy types and young families on a budget James McLachlan
CDN’s highlights from Rétromobile 2025: rare concepts, modern classics and auto merch heaven Guy Bird was in Paris for Retromobile 2025 earlier this month and found an impressive mix of cars, clothes and auto-related curiosities Guy Bird
New tools, new workflow with Eric Stoddard of Car Design Academy An auto industry veteran has embraced a new generation of tools such as Gravity Sketch, Vizcom, MidJourney and others and now instructs others in emerging methods of design and visualisation Karl Smith
Xpeng launches two new models in the UK Xpeng revealed two new electric vehicles to the UK market, Xpeng G6 and Xpeng X9, at a launch event in Old Billingsgate, London Lucy Abbott
Interview: Roy Norton, head clay modeller, Nissan What is the value of clay modelling within the car design process and how can digital and clay work harmoniously? We speak to head clay modeller, Roy Norton fresh off his team’s win at the CDN People awards Lucy Abbott
Chris Benjamin: “Scout Motors is a start-up with heritage” Chris Benjamin, chief design officer at Scout Motors, explains how the connection heritage to ingenuity is key, the growth of his 45-strong team and the challenges that come with reintroducing vehicles 44 years later Car Design News
Hennessey’s design director on sketching a 300mph supercar How do you ensure a car targeting top speed is still beautiful? Over to Hennessey design boss Nathan Malinick Stephen Dobie
Designer realises childhood dream with James Bond’s Bentley Continental The James Bond novel Thunderball saw Ian Fleming vividly describe a Bentley Continental Mk2, a car that didn’t outside the pages of fiction. Car designer Tony Hunter remedied this by designing and building his own Trinity Francis
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
McLaren designers put supercar skills to use with new solo venture It is not every day that someone steps away from their childhood dream with supercars, but that is exactly what two McLaren designers have done. A combination of Irish Gaelic and Portuguese, Ennua aims to be the new benchmark for statement furniture – and more Freddie Holmes
Inside DRVN design and the art of the Continumod Car Design News gets a behind-the-scenes tour of the Coventry studio and the design team led by Wayne Burgess Freddie Holmes
Should Renault thank Peugeot for its recent design success? CDN’s exclusive Q&A with Sandeep Bhambra, Renault’s chief designer, advanced design and concept cars reveals all Guy Bird
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
Perceived quality: a bridge between function and desire Experienced perceived quality specialist Kyungmin Lee explains how carmakers stand to gain from giving PQ a platform within the group Freddie Holmes
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
Car design round-up: Italdesign, Mazda, Microlino, RAM, Renault Welcome to the first car design news-in-brief for 2025 Car Design News
Honda debuts 0 Series Saloon and SUV prototypes at CES New electric series brings a fresh philosophy and design language – but also channels Honda’s heritage 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
First Sight: Nio launches distinctive new Firefly brand Nio has unveiled new brand Firefly with a B-segment vehicle featuring a European-led design, a distinctive look, and iconic ambitions. Toby Clarke was there for CDN to speak with senior VP of design Kris Tomasson Toby Clarke
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
Nuro’s head of design talks autonomous pods Autonomous vehicles need not be as cold and uninviting as we might first think, providing the focus lands on humanisation and smooth UX design Michael Nash
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
In pictures: the all-new Hyundai Palisade The all-new full-size SUV has been given its global reveal Car Design News
Mazda Iconic SP: "It's not just one of those empty show cars” The breathtaking Mazda Iconic SP concept might be going into production. We hope. Car Design News caught up with Mazda’s design manager Masashi Nakayama to hear more Trinity Francis
Jaguar takes a bold leap with concept Type 00 Jaguar sparked controversy with its rebrand, but will its new concept, the Vision Type 00, silence its critics? Mark Smyth attended an exclusive preview with the design team Mark Smyth
Audi revives Auto Union Type 52 Schnellsportwagen Ninety years since the idea was first dreamed up by Porsche’s designers, Audi has finally built the Auto Union ‘Schnellsportwagen’ Trinity Francis
We were determined to create something striking: Giovanny Arroba on the new Nissan Murano Nissan’s senior design director speaks with CDN about the long-awaited update to the brand’s signature midsize SUV Karl Smith
State-of-the-art wind tunnel hits the open market PARTNER CONTENTThis content was paid for by Peer Group and produced in partnership with Car Design NewsTucked away in the anonymity of the Cambridgeshire countryside is a championship-winning facility that promises to use its racing pedigree for the next generation of electric vehicles (EVs) Car Design News
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
Mahindra’s new SUV shows concepts can make it to production The concept we saw over two years ago has made it through to production virtually unchanged, a testament to the advanced design studio that does far more than purely creative work Freddie Holmes
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
Chevrolet designers go “truck-like” with compact SUV Car Design News took the new 2025 Chevrolet Equinox for a road trip in the deep south to find out how SUV design is evolving in the US market Michael Nash
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
Car design round-up: Audi China, Bentley’s urban SUV and Morgan in the US 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 from AMG, Bentley, Hyundai, Mahindra, Morgan and more… Car Design News
Italian coachbuilder reimagines Maserati Biturbo with new restomod Italian coachworks Modena Automobili has revealed its first restomod which reimagines the Maserati Biturbo Freddie Holmes
First Sight: Hyundai Initium concept Hyundai introduces a new, hydrogen powered, family-oriented SUV with a new design language Karl Smith
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
Scout reveals SUV and pick-up concepts in long-awaited debut Rugged SUV and pickup truck concepts revitalise a storied American brand. Head of design Chris Benjamin gives Laura Burstein the details Laura Burstein
Porsche goes emblem heavy with ‘puristic’ new Carrera T The updated model employs graphics and lighting to celebrate the six-speed manual transmission Car Design News
In pictures: 2026 Bertone Runabout production model The Runabout started as a concept but will now enter production in 2026 as part of the design house’s new Classic range Freddie Holmes
New DS concept combines autonomous driving, Formula E performance and feathers With one side dedicated to racing and the other to chauffeured comfort, DS Automobiles’ new concept has a split personality Trinity Francis
Jeep and North Face bring off-road and outdoor skills to special edition Avenger Jeep has entered a collaboration with The North Face. Mark Smyth travelled to Mont Blanc to chat to the design team behind it Mark Smyth
“Aero-dramatic”: Lynk & Co's design team discuss the 02 At a suitably quirky launch event in Milan – dancers, saxophones and laser shows all featured – Lynk & Co showed off its 02 and Car Design News spoke to the design team James McLachlan
Audi gives apprentices the chance to reimagine iconic A2 as one-off concept Apprentices at Audi’s Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm training facililties put forward the idea to reimagine the A2 as an EV – and leadership obliged Freddie Holmes
First sight: BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe gets a makeover The second generation has been pared back inside and out, reducing visual clutter and bringing what the design team see as more of a traditional BMW look and feel Freddie Holmes
Bertone revives the Runabout with modern interpretation of Gandini classic The stocky two-seater sportscar from 1969 is getting a new look Car Design News
Pierre Leclercq: “If we don’t manage to do something different, the job doesn’t interest me” Car Design News chatted with Citröen design director Pierre Leclercq at the Paris Motor Show to hear about Amis, designing for efficiency and why he will not design ”boring” tail lights James McLachlan
Car design round-up: Tesla, limited run BMW and a new Alpine 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 from Alpine, BMW, Tesla and more… Car Design News
Foxconn goes from iPhones to cars with first EV: the Foxtron Model D The maker of iPhones introduces a new SUV-MPV hybrid Karl Smith
In pictures: Lynk & Co 02 Car Design News is in Milan for the launch of the new Lynk & Co 02 Freddie Holmes
Alpine Alpenglow nods to future endurance racing design Alpine design boss Antony Villain chats to Trinity Francis about the brand’s motorsport ambitions and the challenges of designing around high-pressure hydrogen tanks Trinity Francis
Dacia enters the C-segment with the Bigster Dacia is back with the Bigster and has remained faithful to the chunky 2021 concept. Car Design News spoke to design director David Durand about the brand’s entry into the C-segment James McLachlan
In pictures: Kia Pride is an electric 90s hot hatch The Pride EV was commissioned to celebrate the brand’s 80th anniversary Car Design News
In pictures: Renault 4 E-Tech Electric The new Renault 4 E-Tech builds on the revival of iconic nameplates
Exclusive: Ben Payne on the Lotus Theory 1 concept ”This is an expression of a new design language,” says Lotus VP of design Ben Payne during an exclusive tour of the new Theory 1 James McLachlan
DS creates tribute to iconic SM – just don't call it retro, says design chief DS Automobiles’ design boss gives a walkaround of the inspired SM Tribute concept which was created from scratch just in time for its public debut this month Trinity Francis
The mysterious role of perceived quality in car design The science of perceived quality ensures a product materialises as intended Freddie Holmes
BREAKING: Cupra reveals ‘rebellious’ Terramar SUV in Barcelona The Spanish brand has thrown a lavish event to celebrate the launch of its new model, a performance SUV that it says is an example of “design following emotion” Freddie Holmes
Car design round-up: Omoda’s UK launch; Pininfarina design comp and hemp leather 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 from Pininfarina, AMG and the latest raft of Chinese EVs Car Design News
Lamborghini design director Mitja Borkert on the Temerario Lamborghini is back with a new model, the V8 hybrid Temerario, which embodies design director Mitja Borkert’s ’essential and iconic’ design language. Car Design News got a early look at Goodwood ahead of the official launch at Monterey Car Week. James McLachlan
In pictures: Renault Symbioz, close relative to the Austral The production-ready Symbioz is a far cry from what earlier concepts had promoted, but sits well within the wider family line-up. Car Design News
Cadillac celebrates 20 years of the V-Series with the Opulent Velocity concept At Monterey Car Week the storied luxury marque brings opulence and performance to a dramatic new 2+2 concept Karl Smith
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
bb-Auto: Looking back at fifty years of innovation As the storied German customiser heads to Monterey Car Week, we look back on a half-century of bespoke Porsches – and others Karl Smith
Sasha and Inna Selipanov on Nilu27, their “middle finger” to the car industry Car Design News went along to the hotly anticipated launch of the Nilu hypercar and grabbed a word with the masterminds behind it Laura Burstein
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: Nilu hypercar breaks cover Sasha Selipanov has always made clear his love of ultra-fast cars and after a career creating hypercars for the likes of Bugatti and Koenigsegg, is on the verge of launching his own Car Design News
How does marketing influence car design? Car Design News investigates how departments beyond the studio influence the final design of a vehicle. This time, it is not engineering, but marketing and product planning under the microscope Freddie Holmes
Scandi minimalism goes out the window with Polestar Concept BST At Goodwood Festival of Speed 2024, Polestar brought a ramped-up concept of its sleek 6 roadster. Car Design News grabbed a few words with exterior designer Maxime Célérier James McLachlan
Resurrecting the Ford Capri – pros and cons Great design, just don’t call it a Capri – or maybe do? Guy Bird
British firm reimagines classic G-Wagon The ‘Soujourn’ aims to bring a touch of refinement to the original Geländewagen Freddie Holmes
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
“Caterham appeals to an English eccentricity that has been managed out of modern life” Few things are as joyful and pure as a Caterham and the anniversary edition Super Seven 600 is no exception. Car Design News’ editor James McLachlan took one for a spin James McLachlan
In pictures: MG Cyber GTS The MG Cyber GTS is debuting at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, where MG is honored as the ‘celebrated marque’ of this year’s event. Car Design News
Khalil Design: the CMF trend setter you should get to know Khalil Design has established itself as a key trend setter in the world of colour and materials and is set to open a new studio in Baden Baden to serve the luxury market Car Design News
Design driven: Peugeot E-5008 Car Design News takes a Scandinavian road trip in Peugeot’s new all-electric seven-seater SUV, the e-5008 James McLachlan
Alpine design boss Antony Villain on the A290 Car Design News caught up with Alpine head of design, Antony Villain, to learn more about the tough second album that was the A290 Freddie Holmes
First Sight: Volkswagen Iroc concept Launched at the Paris Motor Show in 2006, the Volkswagen Iroc concept was the precursor to the third generation Scirocco. Sam Livingstone was there for Car Design News Sam Livingstone
In pictures: Verne – Rimac’s new autonomous mobility bet Car Design News shares new images of the autonomous mobility start-up backed by the Rimac leadership team Car Design News
First Sight: Tourbillon is a Bugatti to watch Design director Frank Heyl explains the all-new Bugatti Guy Bird
“This can only be done in Italy” – Quentin Amore on the Maserati GranCabrio Car Design News asked exterior chief designer at Maserati, Quentin Amore to compare the electric and ICE versions of the new GranCabrio and how Maserati is incorporating historic cues into modern design Trinity Francis
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
Ex-Mercedes designer reimagines iconic 190E EVO II With rich experience of working on Mercedes-AMG projects, Edgar Chu jumped at the chance to reimagine the EVO II. He tells CDN the challenge was in balancing past and future Freddie Holmes
In pictures: Bertone GB110 launches in Monaco The Bertone GB110 hypercar has been shown in public for the first time Car Design News
Suppliers and car designers have their say on the future of tyre design Car Design News investigates the principles of tyre design and what room for innovation – and creativity – remains Freddie Holmes
Q&A: Francois Leboine on the new Fiat Panda family Car Design News spoke to head of Fiat design Francois Leboine about Giugiaro and the 2019 Centoventi concept car, the new Panda range and why plug-n-play accessories could be an important part of his new design approach
“Alfa Romeo is a car for egoists” – Alejandro Mesonero-Romanos Car Design News visited Alejandro Mesonero-Romanos at Alfa Romeo’s studio in Turin to hear about the Junior and the designer’s hopes for the future of the brand James McLachlan
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
Generations: looking back at the Dodge Charger A look back of the history of the Dodge Charger reveals the good, the bad, and the plain awful 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
Klaus Zyciora VP design of Changan on the Nevo E07 Klaus Zyciora, newish VP of design for Changan spoke to Car Design News about ‘China Speed’, why engineering and design departments are much closer in China, material innovation and the striking new EV E07 SUV/pickup crossover. Ethan Robertson, our man on the ground in China, has more Ethan Robertson
“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
Mitja Borkert on updating Lamborghini’s most successful car: the Urus As Lamborghini unveils its hybrid-powered Urus SE, we speak to design boss Mitja Borkert about how to develop the brand’s biggest seller – and how he got into his Sant’Agata ‘garage band’ Stephen Dobie
Dodge introduces a new generation Charger The storied Dodge Charger muscle car starts a new era as an all-electric with artificial sound and an ICE option Karl Smith
How proportions influence a car’s perceived value Using the Toyota Mirai as a case study, design strategist Jelle Tjebbes argues that the package often has a far greater impact on the perception of value than exterior styling Jelle Tjebbes
Flashback: designing the car windscreen Long used for protection and safety, the windscreen of the future could also become a field of information Karl Smith
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
HiPhi brings its ‘A game’ with new hypercar Two Chinese carmakers have teamed up to produce an electric hypercar with added character, the HiPhi A Michael Nash
Flashback: Hidden headlamps, the ‘sunglasses’ of car design Once considered the ‘sunglasses’ of the automotive world, this seemingly forgotten technology faces an uncertain future. Karl Smith looks back at the early days of the trend Karl Smith
Avatr 12 gran coupe blends Chinese innovation with European flair The Avatr 12 was unveiled to the world this year at IAA in Munich and is going on sale this week in China. The “monolithic” gran coupe without a rear window shines, thanks to a design team assembled from European luxury brands Laura Burstein
Pick-up concept previews Renault’s international push The Niagara concept has been designed for markets like Colombia, India and Turkey where rugged off-road capabilities are crucial Freddie Holmes
Ford balances form and function with new Tourneo The new Ford Tourneo Courier has just entered production. We caught up with its design team ahead of the launch to find out how they approached the redesign, and why it balances the needs of various user groups in a way that other vehicles do not Freddie Holmes
Kia explores new typologies amid EV shift Kia’s recent ‘EV day’ showcased not only a new production car but also two exciting new concepts, one of which explicitly aims to redefine an existing segment in the sedan. Teckkoun Kim, design director for Kia Next Design Group, tells us more Freddie Holmes
Li Auto channels minimalism for mega new MPV It has been a few years in the making, but official images of Li Auto’s new MPV project, the Mega, have been revealed. Super stretched and channelling what the team describes as “Chinese minimalism”, the people carrier makes a statement on the street. Exterior design lead Benjamin Baum tells CDN more Freddie Holmes
New Isuzu D-Max makes a case for the pick-up truck Car Design News tests the new Isuzu D-Max pick-up truck, an experience that underlines the ever-important role of ‘utility’ in car design. Plus the need for a first-class user experience… Freddie Holmes
Flashback: Four fibreglass pioneers of the car world Often derided as “a poor man’s carbon fibre”, fibreglass was critical in the development of the modern sports car. We take a look back to the beginnings of the composites era Karl Smith
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
Polestar reveals 2022 design contest winner Car Design News was in Munich for the reveal of the Polestar Synergy concept, a full-size model that is the result of a unique multi-team collaboration Car Design News
Dongfeng injects Chinese culture into new design language From carved wood and stone sculptures to architectural geometric patterns, Dongfeng is going all in on traditional Chinese design cues for its Mengshi brand Car Design News
Coachbuilder reimagines DeTomaso Pantera, but not as an EV Car Design News takes a look at the latest work from Italian coachbuilder Ares Modena: the Panther Evo Freddie Holmes
Alfonso Albaisa and Taisuke Nakamura on Infiniti QX Monograph Unveiled during the 2023 Monterey Car Week, the QX Monograph SUV points the way to Infiniti’s next-generation design language. Nissan global design boss Alfonso Albaisa and Infiniti head of design Taisuke Nakamura break down some of the key design cues with North American correspondent Laura Burstein, and talk aerodynamics, origami, and taking risks Laura Burstein
Alfa Romeo revives 33 Stradale supercar Alfa Romeo has reimagined the 1967 33 Stradale supercar in a mission to create a new milestone in the brand’s history Freddie Holmes
Maserati’s Klaus Busse on the MCXtrema and why simplicity is key The head of Maserati design gives North America correspondent Laura Burstein a walkaround of the brand’s most powerful customer car during Monterey Car Week and shares his thoughts on the role of design and keeping things simple Laura Burstein
Shiro Nakamura returns with the Aim EV Sport 01 The design legend that defined an era of Japanese design Shiro Nakamura is back with a beautiful concept that harks back to the golden era of 60s sportscar design. Car Design News caught up with Nakamura at the Goodwood Festival of Speed James McLachlan
Flashback: the era-defining Cord 810 Karl Smith takes a look at the short-lived yet iconic Cord 810, a symbol of mid-1930s glamour Karl Smith
Will aerodynamics dominate automotive design in future? Car Design News investigates whether aerodynamics will be the prevailing trend moving forward as EVs seek extra range Karl Smith
Automobili Pininfarina taps heritage, yachts and sharks for Pura Vision Automobili Pininfarina has revealed a new electric show car dubbed the Pura Vision. Ahead of its official unveiling at Monterey Car Week later this month, we caught up with Chief Design Officer, Dave Amantea, to find out more Freddie Holmes
Caterham’s “retro-futurist” designer talks Project V and Italdesign collab From owning a Caterham Seven and simply looking for a chance to visit Goodwood, Anthony Jannarelly ended up with a much better proposition: showcasing an all-new Caterham that he had designed from scratch in front of thousands of enthusiasts Freddie Holmes
IAA Mobility Design Conference Livestream A precursor for ”Building a Creative Culture”, this panel looked at how designers from Mahindra Group and Ford are cultivating a high-performing and creative culture in the world of design, and producing a roadmap to creativity in their studios James McLachlan
Makkina revives Triumph with the TR25 concept A reimagined Triumph TR2 has finally been revealed – the TR25 concept designed by Makkina to celebrate the studio’s 25th anniversary. The team at CDN deserves an award for keeping quiet about this project for as long as we have James McLachlan
Watch: Skoda lighting designer Petr Nevřela Car Design News speaks to Petr Nevřela, lead exterior lighting designer at Škoda about the development of the brand’s award-winning lighting designs James McLachlan
Zeekr on studio culture, interiors and starting from scratch Car Design News was in Gothenburg to visit Zeekr’s huge design studio and get hands on with its first European launches, the 001 and X Freddie Holmes
Aston Martin DB12 is all about the experience Mark Smyth spoke to Aston Martin’s director of design, Miles Nurnberger, about the all-new DB12 Mark Smyth
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
Lexus debuts new TX and redesigned GX SUVs in Texas A significant update to an off-road favourite and a new three-row family SUV round out the luxury brand’s lineup Laura Burstein
Praga design boss on the Bohema hypercar Head of design at Praga Cars, Juraj Mitro, discusses the design process behind the Praga Bohema, the influence of engineering and aerodynamics, and the crossover between furniture and car design By Trinity Francis
Mini targets authenticity as bigger models come in Head of design Oliver Heilmer speaks to Car Design News about Mini’s new design language and how it must stay true to the brand experience Freddie Holmes
First Sight: Scissor-doored MG Cyberster is production-bound MG is returning to its roadster roots with a full-electric, two-seater. Car Design News gained the first in-person view of the full-scale design model last week
Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV underscores the future of electric luxury Mercedes-Benz design chief Gorden Wagener tells CDN correspondent Laura Burstein “it’s only natural” for the storied sub-brand to go electric Laura Burstein
GAC shows second ‘car culture’ concept at new studio Car Design News returns to GAC’s Milan studio to see its latest work and caught up with design boss Stephane Janin Freddie Holmes
First sight: new Hyundai Kona EV We have already seen the new Hyundai Kona EV in pictures, but Car Design News was given an exclusive walkaround of the all-new Kona EV with head of styling Simon Loasby Freddie Holmes
Lancia’s Pop-Up Concept Car After an unusual weekend press reveal, Lancia and Cassina unveil a radical concept at Milan Design Week – the Lancia Pu+Ra HPE. Car Design News’ Karl Smith gives us a first look
New Renault Clio E-Tech – small, sporty and simplified Laurens van den Acker takes Michael Nash on a walkaround of the new Clio E-Tech, explaining how important the car will be for the Renault brand Michael Nash
Lancia unveils fully-electric concept Lancia hopes to usher in a new EV era with the Pu+Ra HPE, which recalls legendary models of the past like the Stratos while working with furniture brand Cassina to create a timeless Italian aesthetic Car Design News
The future is hybrid – but not like you think Hybrids have been prominent in the automotive discussion for two decades now, but from a powertrain perspective. But a new hybrid era is emerging, one which revolves around bodystyle. Karl Smith explores the possibilities Karl Smith
First sight: Ford’s new electric Explorer Ford has revealed a new mid-size electric crossover as part of a broader company-wide design shift to embrace its US roots. As it happens, Car Design News was invited for a private walkaround in February ahead of the official launch on 21 March Freddie Holmes
Volkswagen premieres compact EV concept The ID. 2all concept is a preview of the brand’s new design language and a production-ready version will hit European markets in 2025 Freddie Holmes