Issue no. 273 summary
Cover story Jeep Compass, global design work
The most seriously American brand in the Stellantis portfolio, Jeep has become a symbol of cross-continental collaboration, linking the automotive powerhouses of Detroit and Turin in a unique design partnership. This is why Ralph Gilles, Stellantis Chief Design Officer for North America, describes the new Jeep Compass as an “Italian story”… by Silvia Baruffaldi
Design story Ferrari 296 Speciale, extreme in elegance
“All Ferraris are special, but this one is more Special than the rest,” quips Flavio Manzoni, Chief Design Officer at Ferrari, with a playful nod to the name of the newest creation to come out of the Maranello design centre. And it’s no coincidence it’s called the 296 Speciale, the most powerful, exclusive and lightweight evolution of the 296 GTB we have seen since it debuted in 2021… by Edoardo Nastri
Design story Hyundai Nexo, the art of steel
After 7 years the time had come to give new life to the Nexo, Hyundai’s hydrogen fuel cell car: “Giving it an SUV interior where before there was an inflated hatchback – explains Simon Loasby -, with more space for passengers and luggage, greater ground clearance, a more utilitarian character… by Fabio Galvano
Design story Geely Galaxy Cruiser, from utility to aspiration
Driven by the tides of electrification and intelligent technology, off-road SUV design is undergoing a quiet but significant transformation. At Auto Shanghai 2025, Geely Galaxy unveiled the Galaxy Cruiser, an all-new prototype that redefines the segment…
Meet the designer Laurens van den Acker, balancing creativity and precision
A life in car design seeking “to establish the right balance between creativity and precision”. Laurens van den Acker is Chief Design Officer of Renault Group, and under his management the French group’s style department has created incredible concept cars – the remarkable futuristic TreZor of 2016 – bestsellers like the… by Edoardo Nastri
Design story Roewe Pearl concept, when luxury is purity
“Radiantly pure, precious as a pearl”. It is no coincidence that the SAIC brand Roewe has named its latest concept car, a luxury super saloon with a commanding but elegant design, the Pearl. The model was unveiled at the latest Shanghai Auto Show to showcase Roewe’s interpretation of the… by Edoardo Nastri
Surfaces&Design Alcantara, 50 anni “sensazionali”
Over fifty years of tactile attraction, versatility and refinement. A seamless succession of surfaces where the fingers find delight with even the most fleeting of touches. Once a staple of fashion and subsequently a hallmark of the world’s most prestigious car interiors. A lasting celebration of the senses. We speak with Eugenio Lolli…by A&D
Design story Volvo ES90, the design of balance
It is the first Volvo to employ 800-volt technology, it is defined by software to continue evolving over time, and it is equipped with a dual Nvidia Drive AGX Orin configuration that enables exceptional computing capacity to control the most advanced active safety functions based on… by Silvia Baruffaldi
Surfaces&Design Cupra Design House, embracing the unknown
In the bustle of the latest vibrant Milan Design Week, the innovative potential of Cupra, the Spain’s most exuberant brand unfolds fully along two directions. First, the automobile (or a portion of it) presented through an emotional lens, with only fleeting hints of functionality… by Silvio jr Suppa
Design story Citroën C5 Aircross, desire to stand out
The challenge in Europe’s biggest segment, compact SUVs and crossovers, is to stand out from the crowd. Citroën’s second-generation C5 Aircross is aimed at buyers who know what they want: A comfortable, stylish space for their family … by Peter Sigal
Analysis Furniture design, an evolved, personal way of life
Design plays a key role in promoting the uptake of new ideas, and several recent examples from the worlds of product and furniture design confirm an intriguing trend – one that, to some extent, synthesises and extends years of ongoing reflection and experiment… by Ali Filippini
Boat&Design Cranchi 67 Sessantasette Corsa, dynamism and sense of freedom
Cross-disciplinary, fusion-driven. Christian Grande and his studio navigate seamlessly between architecture and lifestyle, from product design to superyachts. In this latter sector, he has carved out an important niche for himself through his collaboration with leading brands such as… by Luca Sordelli
School IED Torino, bound to adventure
A new concept of Explorer between tradition and innovation. The third-year Transportation Design students at IED Turin started from this concept to create their yachts, as part of their thesis project in collaboration with Francesco Paszkowski Design… by Marta Cinti