Trends, programmed inspiration
For the layperson, the creative process involved in the designer’s job can be quite difficult to grasp. How can a car’s inception begin from the idea of a fish (such as the extraordinary Mazda Senku [...]
GTbyCitroën, playing the game with passion
“We are the first constructor to break the virtual barrier” claims Citroën with pride. The truth is more complicated, however: the GTbyCitroën show car presented at Paris is in fact a successful fusion between the [...]
Renault Mégane/Coupé, a new beginning
Dynamism, fluidity, sportiness, sensuality and strength are the five basic precepts on which Renault has founded its strategy for the new Mégane family, which debuted in hatchback and coupé guise and will later be joined [...]
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, [...]