This Month in Car Design

Two of the three amigos record a bonus edition of the podcast live from Car Design Dialogues Detroit. In this episode, brought to you by our sponsor Prefix, James and Freddie discuss:

• hats and Prefix
• the resurgence of Detroit
• reflections on 80s UX and design leadership
• Jaguar Type 01
• what's coming up

September was busy as ever and this month the focus was oncommercial vehicle design. Not usually the sexiest of topics, we were pleasantly surprised by some daring exterior treatments and a focus on health and wellness. Plus, a forgotten Chevrolet concept from the 1960s.

Bentley showed us the fully electric Torcal and we wereimpressed by its interior, Audi brought back the A2 (kind of) and we saw some interesting teases from Polestar and Jensen. Yes, Jensen. Plus, some people news with a big change at Volvo China.

Travel continued for the team including a short trip intocentral London for stage one of the People Awards judging, while Freddie went up north to rip the new Peugeot e-208 GTI around Scotland.

Lucy reflects on her visit to Italy with Alfa Romeo andJames reports back from the CDE Classic event at the Loh Collection.

The team looks ahead to our next live design discussion inDetroit, and to the Paris Motor Show where a huge number of concepts are expected. Beyond that, Freddie has bought an old Saab, Stanley the whippet makes his podcast debut and Lucy pines after a small runabout.

This month the team reflects on key stories from Monterey Car Week, namely McLaren’s dramatic new form language following two new design leaders, plus an unexpected concept from Acura. There has been plenty of people news to keep us busy, no less a new global design boss at Nissan, and the team unpick some of those new appointments – including a surprise arrival at Porsche.Over on the website the main theme has been holistic design, which led us to explore everything from app design to 1960s Broadway costumes; a chat with leading design school the Royal College of Art leaves Lucy feeling a little headspun. Student shows continued this month and we place a spotlight on Pforzheim and the China Academy of Art where students designed a working, driving car. Plus, we hand pick some nuggets of wisdom that arose during our latest ‘tips and tricks’ feature.In other chat, James is back from an Italian road trip in his trusty Volvo V70, the team proposes a new career in Ice Road Trucking for Lucy, and a chocolate pick-up concept makes Freddie hungry.As always, head to the Car Design News website for everything else including our live and virtual events, magazines and annual coffee table book. 00:00 intro 01:26 holistic design and the RCA03:55 Rivian’s app05:05 GM’s Broadway shows07:30 McLaren’s “rebirth”10:39 Job news14:35 Acura’s new direction15:50 student shows19:24 tips for budding designers23:22 events updates25:33 CDN’s new membership model26:48 commercial vehiclesStories mentioned in this episode include: https://www.cardesignnews.com/cars/mclaren-completely-revamps-design-language-with-new-mcl-6gt/2719138

https://www.cardesignnews.com/designers/exclusive-david-woodhouse-joins-mclaren-as-chief-creative-officer/2714672

https://www.cardesignnews.com/designers/gac-motor-appoints-new-design-director/2714043

https://www.cardesignnews.com/designers/change-at-nissan-albaisa-to-retire-weaver-succeeds/2712357

https://www.cardesignnews.com/designers/t-jon-mayer-to-head-up-bentley-exterior-design/2718042

https://www.cardesignnews.com/designers/chinese-design-school-builds-a-working-carnbsp/2718150

https://www.cardesignnews.com/designers/pforzheim-transportation-design-ba-summer-2026-show-highlightsnbsp/2718126

https://www.cardesignnews.com/designers/introducing-the-new-car-design-news-membership/2727127

https://www.cardesignnews.com/designers/holistic-design-is-about-going-deeper-royal-college-of-arts-chris-thorpe/2726371

https://www.cardesignnews.com/designers/tips-and-tricks-on-how-to-break-into-the-car-design-industry/2722115

https://www.cardesignnews.com/designers/pforzheim-ma-summer-2026-degree-show-highlights/2721238

https://www.cardesignnews.com/cars/acura-introduces-new-design-language-under-new-design-director/2719491

https://www.cardesignnews.com/cmf/august-focus-holistic-design/2716300

https://www.cardesignnews.com/cmf/when-detroit-went-to-broadway-gms-industrial-musical-era/2715216

https://www.cardesignnews.com/designers/we-are-embracing-the-need-to-be-daring-so-daring-we-will-be-matthew-weaver-on-his-promotion-to-design-director/2715706

This month the team looks back on Goodwood which as always was more than a festival of speed and a celebration of design both old and new.

It was also a chance to see both the Audi Nuvolari and Ferrari Luce in a new context. Between expensive ice creams we caught up with plenty of designers, one of whom sported an impressively on-brand cowboy hat.

Away from the show we drew inspiration from the master of the shooting brake, Niels van Roij, and concocted our own long-tail versions based on the Rover 75, Nissan Figaro and Renault Wind.

But our main focus throughout July was the nebulous topic of ‘surfacing’ and we reflect on conversations with the likes of Lucid, Maserati, Lamborghini and many more.

Lucy recaps her latest student degree show visit – this time to the RCA – which revealed contrasting themes of brutalism and fragility: one student built a model from concrete, another from foil.

Freddie is back from Munich and shares his thoughts on the reveal of the new Xpeng L03 which is destined for European shores, while James reflects on a fascinating discussion with Lucid’s Derek Jenkins.

Other chat includes the prompt “more amphibious”, designers touring museums and a tribute to James’ trusty hat which was eaten by his dog.

As always, head to the Car Design News website for everything else including our live and virtual events, magazines and annual coffee table book.

Stories mentioned in this episode include:

https://www.cardesignnews.com/designers/university-of-wales-trinity-saint-david-transportation-design-degree-show-review/2709482

https://www.cardesignnews.com/designers/derek-jenkins-on-the-art-of-automotive-surfacingnbsp/2707455

https://www.cardesignnews.com/cars/audi-apple-and-arcteryx-designers-reimagine-the-beach-buggy/2707459

https://www.cardesignnews.com/exteriors/aero-as-a-surface-praga-on-the-bohema-hypercarnbsp/2706270

https://www.cardesignnews.com/videos/first-sight-xpeng-l03/2706002

https://www.cardesignnews.com/cars/beauty-cannot-be-a-byproduct-it-has-to-be-intentional-hennessey-head-designer-on-the-venom-f5-m/2704015

https://www.cardesignnews.com/designers/i-want-to-keep-sensuality-in-the-design-renaults-alexandre-malval-on-surfacing-and-aerodynamics/2702616

https://www.cardesignnews.com/designers/first-sight-qampa-jozef-kaban-on-the-mg-cyber/2702418

https://www.cardesignnews.com/cars/design-round-up-aston-martin-dreadnought-bentley-torcals-new-sound-vw-id-cross-reveal/2701358

https://www.cardesignnews.com/cars/mercedes-heritage-ceo-classic-cars-are-about-more-than-nostalgia/2699289

https://www.cardesignnews.com/cars/how-nature-inspired-surfacing-defines-the-lepas-design-language/2700676

https://www.cardesignnews.com/exteriors/crazy-but-never-chaotic-mitja-borkert-on-lamborghinis-surfacing-philosophy/2700013

https://www.cardesignnews.com/cars/cdns-takeaways-from-goodwood-2026/2698566

https://www.cardesignnews.com/exteriors/klaus-busse-on-surfacing-with-purpose-and-the-gt4-race-car/2698069

https://www.cardesignnews.com/cars/mg-on-next-gen-ev-design-authenticity-will-become-even-more-valuable/2697917

https://www.cardesignnews.com/cars/design-roundup-alpine-x-lacoste-rollsroyce-phantom-regatta-fifthgen-bmw-x5/2694181

This month it is the Audi Nuvolari that had chins wagging across the car design world. The CDN team give their take on the unexpected hypercar and the direction of Audi’s form language under now not-so-new design chief Massimo Frascella.  

We also reflect on ‘Project Cornerstone’, a new concept (and initiative) from JLR to create recycled components and reuse materials, and share some takeaways from our various interviews on the theme of Advanced Design.  

Our resident student correspondent Lucy reports on recent travels to design school degree shows, and shares alpine tales from the Skoda Peaq launch. Freddie recounts a visit to Rome with smart, and the enviable task of creating a Gulf livery Escort RS. Meanwhile, James has mixed feelings about the new electric Mazda but enjoyed an exclusive interview with GM’s latest retiree Andrew Smith.  

Stories mentioned in this pod include:  

https://www.cardesignnews.com/cars/the-audi-nuvolari-shows-what-frascella-has-in-store-for-audi/2676110 

https://www.cardesignnews.com/designers/june-focus-advanced-design/2676033 

https://www.cardesignnews.com/cars/smmt-test-day-2026-manuals-muscle-cars-and-a-gti-masterclass/2675687 

https://www.cardesignnews.com/designers/umea-uid-2026-degree-show-highlights/2672969 

https://www.cardesignnews.com/cars/first-sight-skoda-peaq/2692706 

https://www.cardesignnews.com/cmf/we-designed-a-gulfinspired-boreham-motorworks-escort-rs/2692733 

https://www.cardesignnews.com/cars/reimagining-an-icon-wayne-burgess-on-the-new-ford-escort-mk1-rs/2678390 

https://www.cardesignnews.com/designers/design-something-people-genuinely-want-pratap-bose-mahindra-cdo/2685997 

https://www.cardesignnews.com/cmf/jlr-we-have-a-duty-to-rethink-how-we-make-our-products/2688585 

https://www.cardesignnews.com/interiors/product-and-fashion-combine-for-new-smart-2-interior/2686864 

https://www.cardesignnews.com/designers/interview-renaults-new-advanced-design-chief/2685758 

https://www.cardesignnews.com/cars/hyundai-advanced-design-india-why-localised-advanced-design-studios-are-key/2684085 

https://www.cardesignnews.com/designers/university-of-staffordshire-automotive-and-transport-design-ba-show-highlights/2682003 

https://www.cardesignnews.com/ux/industry-is-at-a-turning-point-says-hmi-expert/2681389 

https://www.cardesignnews.com/designers/coventry-university-automotive-and-transport-design-show-2026-highlights/2680864 

In the latest episode of This Month in Car Design, the team consider some last-minute news that is hot off the press: the Ferrari Luce.

The brand’s first electric car has caused quite a stir, and the Car Design News team dig into its exterior and interior before addressing broader reactions among the design community. It’s the second time the Luce has taken the pod by storm in just a few months…

The team also consider another significant new launch in the BMW Vision Alpina, a concept that marks the first public work of award-winning designer Maximilian Missoni. It does not preview a forthcoming car exactly, but it is a strong start.

It is also degree show season and we are back from a couple of visits to design schools with more on the way very soon. Do students still want to specialise in particular disciplines? Are clay models still being put together? And are these exhibitions the best way for students to get jobs? Listen in to hear our thoughts.

Elsewhere, James wears a new hat, we muse over the next ‘popemobile’ and reflect on May’s focus on lighting design; conversations with CALTY’s Ian Cartabiano and Stellantis’ Philipp Roeckl go in slightly different directions – one addresses Japanese principles around shadow and architecture while the other draws comparisons to Christmas trees on wheels.

The pod closes with a round-up of people moves that took place this month, and looks ahead to next month’s focus theme: advanced design. Join us again next month for more car design chat.

https://www.cardesignnews.com/cars/luce-is-a-new-chapter-in-ferrari-design/2669808

https://www.cardesignnews.com/interiors/is-ferraris-luce-interior-a-masterclass-in-hmi/2604887

https://www.cardesignnews.com/lighting/we-dont-want-a-driving-christmas-tree-stellantis-philipp-roeckl-on-lighting/2668245

https://www.cardesignnews.com/cars/max-missoni-on-the-new-vision-bmw-alpina/2664736

https://www.cardesignnews.com/lighting/ian-cartabiano-on-lexus-lighting-design-architectural-inspiration-and-the-future-of-the-spindle/2664613

https://www.cardesignnews.com/shows/pforzheim-university-transport-design-ma-show-2026/2665482

https://www.cardesignnews.com/cars/design-roundup-mercedesamg-gt-4-door-coupe-stellantis-announce-small-affordable-ecar-volvo-evolves-driving-technology/2669417

https://www.cardesignnews.com/designers/polestars-uxui-lead-joins-robotics-startup/2665199

CMF innovation, global auto shows and the future of car design take centre stage in this month’s Car Design News in Review.

The team discusses playful materials and sustainable finishes, then dives into highlights from the Beijing Auto Show and Milan Design Week, from standout concepts and immersive installations to shifting design trends in China and Europe.

Also featured: major industry people moves, profile insights, and key cars including Kia EV4, Honda Super N and Rolls-Royce Project Nightingale. Plus, what’s coming up in lighting, education and design events.

Subscribers can access all content flagged during this episode, including:

The design VP’s intriguing hippie backstory. AMC Gremlin features https://www.cardesignnews.com/designers/bryan-nesbitt-between-soul-and-system/2638466

Materials quiz – beer leather anyone? https://www.cardesignnews.com/cmf/top-colour-amp-trim-trends/2647218

Doh! Skoda’s colourful Milan installation https://www.cardesignnews.com/cars/skodas-playdoh-inspired-installation-at-milan-design-week/2654000

Freelander returns and this time it’s a brand https://www.cardesignnews.com/cars/freelander-reborn-incredibly-in-2026/2653676

Audi lands a UFO in Milan https://www.cardesignnews.com/cars/audi-lands-a-ufo-at-porto-venezia/2652751

Honesty in materials with Halycon https://www.cardesignnews.com/cmf/halcyons-craftled-approach-to-personalised-restomods/2652449

Gilles Vidal wants icons https://www.cardesignnews.com/designers/gilles-vidal-on-the-future-of-stellantis-european-brands-we-need-to-deliver-iconic-products/2646963

Jazz Age vibes from Rolls-Royce coachbuilt Project Nightingale https://www.cardesignnews.com/cars/rollsroyce-reveals-design-of-project-nightingale/2646804

Kia’s polarising (but cool) EV4 Fastback https://www.cardesignnews.com/cars/design-driven-kia-ev4-fastback-vs-hatchback/2640134 

Kemal Curic takes the reigns at McLaren https://www.cardesignnews.com/designers/exclusive-kemal-curic-to-head-up-mclaren-automotive-design/2638963

This month the team reflects on conversations around design tools, where digital and physical processes continue to merge.

Chat also turns toward recent launches including the BMW i3, Volkswagen ID. Unyx 08 and Changan’s aviation-inspired S05 (which we drove on an airfield this week, no less).

The team also discuss what’s coming up in April, with trips to Germany, Italy and China in the works. Plus, a new monthly focus on future material trends (get in touch!)

Subscribers can access all content flagged during this episode, including:

Granstudio’s DigiPHY interior buck https://www.cardesignnews.com/partner-content/digiphy-the-design-process/492094 

The all new BMW i3 (or is that 3-Series?)  https://www.cardesignnews.com/cars/bmw-welcomes-new-i3-to-the-3series-family/2631005 

Volkswagen’s collaboration with Xpeng for the ID. Unyx 08 https://www.cardesignnews.com/cars/vw-design-team-builds-confident-new-suv-on-xpengs-electric-platform/2630088 

Andrea Mocellin on AI tools and “human instinct” https://www.cardesignnews.com/design-tools/andrea-mocellin-you-need-to-rely-on-your-instincts/2625127 

The DS No.7, or as James refers to it, “the Mambo No. 5” https://www.cardesignnews.com/cars/ds-continues-to-evolve-its-latest-design-language-in-the-new-no7/2629780 

Sharon Gauci retires from GM https://www.cardesignnews.com/designers/sharon-gauci-to-retire-from-gm/2635540 

Jerry McGovern’s JLR saga reaches a finale https://www.cardesignnews.com/designers/its-now-official-gerry-mcgovern-to-leave-jlr-role-at-end-of-march/2633351 

Chris Lefteri’s appointment at Alcantara https://www.cardesignnews.com/designers/chris-lefteri-joins-alcantara/2633057 

Stefan Sielaff on why China speed is ‘old news’ https://www.cardesignnews.com/designers/geelys-vp-of-global-design-china-speed-is-an-old-story-now/2634267 

José Navarro replaces Joaquin Garcia at Italdesign https://www.cardesignnews.com/designers/navarro-to-lead-italdesign-as-garcia-departs/2628703 

Genesis’ John Krsteski on digital tools  https://www.cardesignnews.com/videos/genesis-john-krsteski-why-digital-tools-make-it-the-best-time-to-be-a-car-designer/2625063 

Ralph Gilles muses on the future of the SUV https://www.cardesignnews.com/designers/were-very-conscious-that-the-brands-are-king-ralph-gilles/2623912 

Pagani designer says “your mind” is the best creative tool  https://www.cardesignnews.com/videos/its-better-to-have-a-good-idea-than-a-good-drawing-says-pagani-designer/2622864

This month the team discussed:  

• Autonomous driving, with stories involving Lucid, Tesla, Tensor, UE Studios and a chat with Romulus Rost (who designed the interior of the original Audi TT)

• A visit to MG and SAIC’s ever philosophical chief designer Jozef Kaban

• A conversation with design expert Robert Forrest live in the studio, touching on tech-led strategies and brand power. Plus, will car brands ever appoint a Head of Autonomous Vehicle Design?

• People news at VW, Leapmotor and Ford China, plus an update on former Volvo design boss Jeremy Offer

• What’s coming up with CDN in March, with trips to Germany, Sweden and The Cotswolds and a new monthly focus on design tools (get in touch!)

Subscribers can access all content flagged during this episode, including:

Freddie’s visit to UE Studios: https://www.cardesignnews.com/cars/new-av-shuttle-has-a-compelling-design-but-will-the-project-take-off/2607769 

James gets philosophical with Jozef Kaban: https://www.cardesignnews.com/designers/jozef-kaban-we-need-to-be-the-light-for-the-whole-system-not-just-design/2607688 

Lucid’s Derek Jenkins talks luxury AVs: https://www.cardesignnews.com/designers/designing-autonomous-luxury-at-lucid/2606686 

Tensor Robocar: https://www.cardesignnews.com/cars/tensor-robocar-the-personal-autonomous-vehicle-shaped-by-sensors/2613315 

Tesla Cybercab interview: https://www.cardesignnews.com/designers/designing-the-future-from-first-principles-von-holzhausen-on-the-tesla-cybercab/2612995 

Ferrari Luce UX revealed: https://www.cardesignnews.com/interiors/is-ferraris-luce-interior-a-masterclass-in-hmi/2604887 

Theon design restomod: https://www.cardesignnews.com/cars/how-to-design-restomods-and-stamp-your-creativity-on-existing-cars/2612393 

Skoda Superb test drive: https://www.cardesignnews.com/cars/design-driven-skoda-superb/2611907 

Romulus Rost on AVs: https://www.cardesignnews.com/interiors/romulus-rost-on-autonomous-vehicles/2611351 

Andreas Mindt promoted at VW: https://www.cardesignnews.com/designers/andreas-mindt-named-as-head-of-volkswagen-group-design/2610458 

Adil Benwadih joins Leapmotor: https://www.cardesignnews.com/designers/whos-where-adil-benwadih-joins-leapmotor/2602133 

Ivo Groen at BAIC Turin: https://www.cardesignnews.com/designers/exclusive-baics-new-turin-studio-takes-shape-with-ivo-groen-at-the-helm/2600368 

Raul Pires replaces Max Wolff at Ford China: https://www.cardesignnews.com/designers/exclusive-raul-pires-replaces-max-wolff-as-head-of-ford-design-in-china-and-asia-wolff-joins-gm-china/2599556 

Join us in Milan: https://www.cardesignnews.com/events/car-design-dialogues-milan/232453 

…and in Beijing: https://cddbeijing.cardesignnews.com/ 

This month the team discussed: 

• The importance of design for manufacturing, highlighting how early production constraints improve creativity, feasibility and cross-team alignment across startups and major OEMs such as Ford, Xpeng, Zeekr and Oil Stain Lab
• Why Detroit’s design boom is in danger of leaving is hallowed car show behind; plus is Brussels neutral territory a good substitute for the now dead Geneva show; and weigh up the brand heritage that comes as the price of entry to Retromobile

• Why public reactions to new cars remain emotionally charged, with nostalgia, resistance to change shaping negativity toward contemporary vehicle design
• And we speculate about the possibility of Volvo restarting its US design studio with Nick Gronenthal as the head plus highlight some key moves at Porsche and Kia

Subscribers can access all content flagged during this episode, including:

The twins at Oilstain Lab: https://www.cardesignnews.com/designers/constraints-enable-creativity-oilstainlab-ceo-on-design-for-manufacturing/2592174

Ford Mustang Dark Horse SC: https://www.cardesignnews.com/cars/designing-on-the-edge-how-fords-dark-horse-sc-took-shape/2590571

Zeekr on design freeze: https://www.cardesignnews.com/designers/early-design-freeze-brings-purchasing-power/2591766

Xpeng's Alain Simon talks design for manufacturing: https://www.cardesignnews.com/cars/manufacturing-department-an-enabler-for-design-says-xpeng/2585875

Honda's new logo: https://www.cardesignnews.com/cars/honda-unveils-new-logo/2585879

Porsche 911 review: https://www.cardesignnews.com/cars/design-driven-porsche-911-carrera/2593778

Detroit Auto Show review: https://www.cardesignnews.com/shows/detroits-design-renaissance-leaves-its-auto-show-behind/2589650

Brussels Motor Show review: https://www.cardesignnews.com/cars/brussels-sprouting-could-the-belgian-motor-show-youve-barely-heard-of-become-the-new-geneva/2585930

Retromobile 2026: https://www.cardesignnews.com/designers/theres-more-passion-here-than-at-a-normal-car-show/2597117

Why do car people hate new cars? https://www.cardesignnews.com/cars/why-do-car-people-hate-new-cars/2584558

Honda Base Station: https://www.cardesignnews.com/cars/honda-reveals-new-base-station/2586456

Tobias Sühlmann joins Porsche: https://www.cardesignnews.com/designers/porsche-appoints-tobias-suehlmann-as-new-head-of-design/2595752

Thomas Ingenlath returns to Volvo: https://www.cardesignnews.com/designers/exclusive-qampa-ingenlath-on-his-second-volvo-term-i-bring-a-hell-of-a-lot-of-experience-in-designing-cars/2583816

What's going on with Volvo USA? https://www.cardesignnews.com/cars/exclusive-first-sight-qampa-volvos-interim-design-boss-on-ex60-and-whats-next-after-ingenlaths-return/2593909

Dave Marek retires: https://www.cardesignnews.com/designers/dave-marek-retires-from-honda/2581710

Join us in person at events around the world:

Milan: https://cddmilan.cardesignnews.com/

Beijing: https://cddbeijing.cardesignnews.com/

Detroit: https://cdddetroit.cardesignnews.com/

London: https://peopleawards.cardesignnews.com/