Ferrari California, a versatile GT
The California is a smorgasbord of firsts for Ferrari: it is the marque’s first model with a front mid mounted 8 cylinder engine, the first with a folding hard top and the first ‘2+almost2’ convertible. [...]
Ford Fiesta “sprinty” , generation
A “global futuristic small car” with, as its chief strengths, a “stylish, dynamic” design offset by “a blend of versatility and traditional prestige”. Ford makes ambitious claims for the new Fiesta, which marks a radical [...]
BMW Gina Light, formal flexibility
Over a year ago, in an interview with Auto&Design, BMW design chief Chris Bangle described his vision of the automotive philosophy of the future in decidedly abstract terms. “The important thing”, he said, “is to [...]
Torino Design, olympic inspiration
The Beijing motor show is vast, with 890 cars exhibited – 55 of which concepts, 7 world debuts (including significant models such as the Audi Q5 and Mercedes GLK) and 24 new Asian entries to [...]
BMW M1 Homage, triple homage
BMW had three goals for the M1 Homage project. The first was to celebrate the thirtieth anniversary of the M1 – which to this day still remains the only mid-engined car produced by the Bavarian [...]
Volvo XC60, seductive contrasts
“This is a Volvo the way I want it to be. A Volvo all my own, if you will.” Steve Mattin is categorical – according to the designer, the XC60 presented at Geneva just over [...]
Fioravanti Hidra, windscreen wiper goodbye
Fioravanti does not like to be boxed in by the mere term ‘stylist’, and he is universally recognised as a designer in the broadest sense of the word. For many years this engineering graduate has, [...]
Aston Martin DBS, from 007 with passion
The transition from “Casino Royale” to reality has not been a short process. The Aston Martin DBS driven by James Bond was only a sketchy shell of Gaydon's current pride and joy, derived from the [...]
Suzuki Kizashi, a dynamic flagship
The majority of concept cars produced by major carmakers are destined to exist solely for the duration of a single motor show. Some are luckier, however, and come back again a year or two later [...]
XF, different but more Jaguar
At first sight, the XF is a Jaguar unlike any other, which abandons certain styling cues such as the heart-shaped grille, which the S-Type – destined to be replaced by the new car presented at [...]