This Month in Car Design

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