Table of contents for 269 - November / December 2024 in AUTO & DESIGN

Technology or beauty? Should one cater to the demands of elegance or take a rational approach and reach out to the core of functionality? In the past designers came under intense pressure from engineers, and today these demands have been compounded by the challenges of technology. “Cars are now four-wheeled devices. Our job is to define the shape of the digital, smoothing surfaces to conceal the vast array of devices that serve as the eyes and ears of vehicles”. We sit down with Örjan Sterner, Senior Design Manager Exterior at Volvo, in Newport Beach, California. Before us is the EX90, the most technologically advanced Volvo ever built: “It hasn't lost its signature recognisability or Volvo’s typically understated elegance, but at the same time it showcases the strong innovative charge that…

What happens when the timeless style of Morgan meets the futuristic, ever-evolving design of Pininfarina? A shared vision takes shape and, by reinterpreting the timeless silhouette typical of the British brand's products, gives rise to an original and refined two-seater. Morgan Midsummer is a tribute to the timeless appeal of the barchetta, produced in just fifty exclusive pieces. The collaboration with Pininfarina stems from Morgan's desire to create special limited edition products, based on the CX-Generation Bonded Aluminium platform, capable of celebrating its heritage and developing its iconic design. "This car is the product of an immersive experience in the styles and values of the two brands involved based on the essence of Morgan's DNA, which is the fruit of a 100-year heritage and an extraordinary community of enthusiasts", explained…

A small car with immense potential, the K-Car is typically Japanese with really compact overall dimensions (3400×1480×2000 mm). Could it also be an effective answer to the mobility needs of European urban areas in the near future? The students of the Transportation Design course at the IED in Turin have been trying to answer this question in their theses in collaboration with Suzuki, which focused this year's brief on the concept of a European K-Car for 2035. “This project provided students with an important opportunity to work their way round the constraints presented by a predetermined package, an increasingly rare situation in the thesis phase where there is often a tendency to leave students maximum freedom of expression at the expense of their problem-solving skills. Finding the right balance between…

Tata plays the Italy card. Turin, to be precise. The Indian giant, who already had a design studio known as Trilix in the shadow of the Alps, is undergoing a partial restructuring under the leadership of Martin Uhlarik - Head of Global Design Tata Motors since 2021 - which, among other things, should anticipate a debut on the international market, strongly desired by Ratan Tata, patriarch of the most important Indian industrial conglomerate, who passed away at the beginning of October at the age of 86. Uhlarik operates from the English centre, located on the campus of the University of Warwick and entrusted to the care of Aurelien Doisy: from there he controls both the Indian design centre located in Pune and directed by Ajay Jain, and the one in…

Explorer but Observer too. Francesco Paszkowski talks about the philosophy behind the new XO yacht range he has created with Baglietto. Boats that draw on the design languages not of yachting alone but of the transportation world as a whole, proposing a new way to sail. Numbers would be enough on their own to tell you exactly who Francesco Paszkowski and his firm are: 33 years of history and over 300 yachts launched. But it is the names attached to these numbers that are so striking: Spadolini, the studio where Francesco Paszkowski trained from 1986, and then Baglietto, Sanlorenzo, Tankoa Yachts, Heesen Yachts, CRN, Custom Line, Cantiere delle Marche, Rizzardi, ISA, Canados and Turquoise. These are the yards Paszkowski works with or has worked with: the very best superyachts in…

Decidedly Latin, starting with the marked sensuality of the surfaces, but permeated with a welcoming spirit and volume: the latest expression of the most dynamic brand in the Volkswagen galaxy, the culmination of a successful evolutionary path, moves into new areas of use without denying too much of its usual character. Even the proportion between body work and windows, designed by a decidedly sustained belt line, “suggests a protective approach for the passengers” in the words of design director Jorge Díez, “and at the same time contributes to creating a sense of tension”. The latter term seems to underlie the entire project, along with a broader communicative vision: “The marked lines produce an aggressiveness that is not only useful for formal purposes, but perfect for conveying our image as a…

Compact, sporty and affordable. British sports cars have become legendary for their special features, all of which can be traced back to one great principle: the joy of driving. The MG became one of the benchmark brands in this field thanks to the models that made history after the Second World War. And there must be a reason why, more than six decades after their debut, cars like the MGA, MG Midget, MGB/C and MGB GT continue to ignite the passion of enthusiasts. MG’s renaissance under the stewardship of China’s SAIC has ushered in a new era of innovation, embracing the world of SUVs and electric and hybrid powertrains, as well as an enduring commitment to the racing spirit that catapulted the brand to fame. And what better stage than…