#automotive-design

#automotive-design

Back in 2023 at Art Basel Miami Beach, Lamborghini celebrated sixty years with the unveiling of the Revuelto Opera Unica, a hand-painted one-off that blurred the line between design and fine art. I had the privilege of sitting down one on one with Mitja Borkert, Lamborghini's Director of Design, walking through the details of the Revuelto in person. Seeing the car through his eyes, hearing him describe the vision and the countless hours poured into its creation,

Fans of the TT rejoice-there's a new Audi two-seater on the way. The German automaker just unveiled Concept C, a stylish and minimalist sports car that marks the start of a new styling philosophy and, hopefully, a return to the bold designs that brought it so much success. There are design cues and links back through Audi's history, but this is no pastiche of a retro design as we might have seen from J Mays.

August has been an excellent month for automotive design. We witnessed concepts that made us question everything we thought we knew about getting around. From delivery scooters that borrowed tech straight from Hollywood camera crews to hypercars that looked like they'd been beamed down from 2040, designers threw caution to the wind and delivered some mind-bending ideas that somehow felt both completely insane and totally inevitable.

The CX concept takes everything we know about Corvette design and cranks it up to science fiction levels. Its proportions look like they were designed by someone who grew up playing Gran Turismo rather than studying traditional automotive history.

The exhibition takes the chance to showcase the wedge‑car design movement that emerged as a stray from the curvaceous, chrome-laden styling of earlier eras, visibly favoring a futuristic aesthetic instead of the typical aerodynamic-focused production.

The BMW 328 Hommage stands as one of the most compelling concept cars to emerge from Bavaria's design studios, marking a thoughtful translation of 1930s racing purity into modern carbon fiber reality.

The Buick Electra Orbit features a space-age aesthetic with proportions resembling jet aircraft and classic Buick designs, highlighted by a low front section and wide central body.

The BMW iX may be one of the ugliest cars on sale, but underneath that ugly wrapper lies quite a lovely electric car. The beaver-toothed front end and tragic proportions are hiding an interior that's almost architectural in its ambiance, paired with a driving experience that's sharper than some sports-oriented models from other brands.

The MCPURA builds on the MC20's proven platform but offers much more than just a refresh, including serious performance and aggressive styling.

In addition to the new sound, the shape of the 6 N is obviously quite a bit different than that of the SUV-silhouette of the Ioniq 5. Being a sedan means having a trunk, and on that trunk is a mighty large wing with a dramatic curving profile to match the sculpted edges at the rear of the 6 N.

"While it seemed like manufacturers had cup holders figured out, manufacturers are struggling to keep up with being able to accommodate all the different shapes and sizes [of containers] that are increasingly available."

This project is less about restoring a car and more about redefining an icon.

Designer JinTae Tak's Cyber Tonka embodies the brutal utilitarianism of off-road vehicles, combining childlike simplicity with a stark dystopian aesthetic.

The new MG ZS SUV blends accessible performance and forward-thinking design, catering to diverse driving conditions and offering versatility for a broad spectrum of drivers.

The ADX displays a handsomely designed exterior with urban gray paint, yet it tends to fade into the background among other compact crossovers, sparking little community interest.

It's for the quarter mile, or the apocalypse - whichever comes first.

The RANDOLPH x Shelby Collection merges military-grade eyewear and American automotive craftsmanship, celebrating legacies of precision, speed, and bold design.

At the heart of the Katla is a 7.0-liter quad-turbocharged V12 developed entirely in-house by Giamaro's engineering team, unleashing a staggering 2,128 horsepower.

It's an open secret in the Volkswagen ID.Buzz community that the car's lack of cupholders seem to be a very big oversight.

Brooklyn Coachworks, established in 2018, transforms vintage Land Rover Defenders into modern 4x4s, maintaining classic aesthetics while incorporating contemporary features.

The Polestar 4 showcases a stylish design and thoughtful interior that aligns with the brand's commitment to performance, yet it faces criticism for some functionality issues.

Xpeng recently announced its flagship model, the P7, will return as a sporty coupe-sedan designed for global markets, starting sales in China at $42,000.