Blog on 2040Parts

First Sight: Mercedes-Benz S-Class

The new S-Class is replacing a model series which is the world number 1 in the luxury class, and of which around 485,000 have been produced since its introduction in 1998. The previous W220 series was much admired on introduction and still seems competitive to many eyes but will be replaced by the latest model at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September.   Specification The new flagship model by Mercedes-Benz is larger than its predecessor in every respect.

First Sight: Renault Clio

The Clio is perhaps the most successful and certainly the longest standing model of the Renault range and this is the new third-generation version of this European market small B-sector hatchback. When the first generation Clio replaced the Renault 5 in 1990 it was the smallest car in the Renault line up, now the Clio is one of a small range of similarly-sized Renault models all based off the same platform shared with the Nissan Micra/March and Cube.   Specification The Clio will be launched first as a three-door with the five-door to follow, and will be available with a choice of petrol 1.2-litre (75hp), 1.4-litre (98hp) and 1.6-litre (113hp), and a 1.5-litre dCi diesel engine in a choice of three power outputs: 70hp, 86hp and 106hp.

What's New - June 2005

Mercedes-Benz Bionic concept The Bionic showcases the potential of bionics for automobile development, and is inspired by the boxfish(!) In DaimlerChrysler's words: "Despite its boxy, cube-shaped body, this tropical fish is in fact outstandingly streamlined and therefore represents an aerodynamic ideal". This 4240mm long car that seats four has a Cd value of just 0.19 which, in combination with light-weight construction and an advanced diesel powertrain, gives 20% lower fuel consumption and up to 80% lower nitrogen oxide emissions. This reduction in NO2 is achieved by spraying 'AdBlue', an aqueous urea solution, into the exhaust system in precisely metered quantities to convert the nitrogen oxides into harmless nitrogen and water, so even if it looks like it should, it shouldn't smell fishy...

College for Creative Studies Student Exhibition 2005

Michael Gillam's concept is a very fresh combination of cabover, big-rig styling cues, Hummer-like off road stance and a large dose of product design influences. His concept is based on the idea of integrating the load bearing structure of the bed into the side rails, freeing up space to increase depth and overall carrying capacity. The silver colored structure is not only separate functionally, but also graphically offset from the dark colored cab area.

A tribute to Jim Das

On May 15 GM Europe designer Jim Das passed away in a Wiesbaden hospital after a year-long battle with leukemia. Jim joined the Opel Design team in 1997 following the completion of his Masters degree at the Royal College of Art. In 1998-99 Jim had a stint in Italy at the Opel Advanced Studio and worked on a roadster study (currently on display at Opel Live in Ruesselsheim).

Design Services: Car Menu launched

Within almost every automotive design department throughout the world, their comes a time when a junior designer is dispatched to find a picture of some new model's tail lamp, the side view of a particular class leading competitor or examples of several new cars' colour and trim packages. Whilst looking at the competition is not necessarily a healthy way of finding ideas, it is often essential to demonstrate what is feasible, check in-house proposals are not too derivative, or show how advanced a design theme is relative to the same type of cars on the market. But even if the particular aspect of a car can be found, press packs and magazines typically show cars in the flattering light of an exotic location or being drifted around a corner on opposite lock; rarely are these images particularly useful.

What's New - May 2005

Porsche Cayman S Porsche has released photos of the new Cayman S model. Based on the Boxster platform, the Cayman S is a closed two-seater coup? with a large rear hatchback and revised styling.

Ford names Freeman Thomas as Strategic Design Director

 Long-time DaimlerChrysler designer Freeman Thomas is joining Ford Motor Company from June 1. Thomas, 47, will become director of Strategic Design, reporting to Peter Horbury, executive director of Design, North America. Based in the company's Irvine, California studio, Thomas will lead advanced design teams in both California and Dearborn.

ENG Automotive Design Summit 2005

 A sunny Stockholm was the venue for the 3rd Automotive Design Summit organised by European Networking Group (ENG) and this year the event, for the first time, was supported by Car Design News. The summit took place April 18-19 in the stylish Clarion Hotel in the heart of Stockholm, close to the 'Gamla Stan' or old town, and was enjoyed by around sixty delegates from the international automotive design community. The two-day summit opened with an interesting introduction by Sebastien Rosel, Product Manager from Dassault Systemes on the new Catia V5 software.

Interior Motives Design Conference 2005 announced

Inside the car industry some of the world's most talented designers seek to create exciting, safe, comfortable and desirable products that exceed the expectations of their customers. But consumer expectations of form and function are advancing faster than many companies can innovate, and the result is that there is a shortfall in exciting and emotional products. Yet the demand for them is real.

Milano Design Week 2005

Every year, hordes of designers from across Europe gather in Milan to present their work and gain inspiration for next year's. Newcomers to the event are usually surprised to realise how accurate the title is: work is not confined to just one arena, but the entire city. Good shoes are definitely high on the list when packing.

Nissan Design 50th Anniversary exhibition

As part of last year's celebrations for the 50th anniversary of Nissan Design, Nissan Motor Company held an exhibition entitled 'Passion & Imagination: Nissan Design 50th Anniversary & Future' at its two galleries in Ginza, downtown Tokyo from late July to mid-August. Both galleries were crowded with more than 48,000 visitors in total. The exhibition showcased the historical achievements of Nissan's design department over the last fifty years, as well as its future design vision.

Umea Institute of Design prepares for annual Degree Exhibition

The Institute of Design is housed in a converted power station and purpose-built premises on the banks of the Umea River. The school has an atmosphere that is open and light, and all students have their own personal workspace within this environment. There are well-equipped workshops for woodwork, metal, plastic, clay modelling, assembly and painting.

Nissan opens new North American design studio

Nissan Design America Inc. has opened a new design studio in Farmington Hills, Michigan, on the grounds of Nissan Technical Center North America. The $14 million investment represents an expansion of Nissan's design capabilities in Farmington Hills as well as a shift in design capabilities.

Intermot Motorcycle Show 2004

Motorcycle design is a term that conjures up many images to different people. To the majority North Americans, designing a motorcycle suggests a garage where several enthusiasts resembling the hit TV show Orange County Choppers assemble bikes based on the Harley Davidson model, with acres of chromed after market parts and hand lacquered custom paint jobs.To many others no thought is given at all to how the shapes of the bikes on the street came into being. The reality is that the major motorcycle manufacturers employ professional designers and serious technology the same way as in the car industry does, even if the final product is so different.

Fourth annual World Automotive Design Competition winners announced

The fourth annual World Automotive Design Competition was hosted by the Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto, Ontario, on February 17. Students were asked to design a world car that has universal appeal. Christophe Charbault, a design student from the Ecole de design at the Universite de Montreal, won the first prize of US $10,000.

First Sight: Fenomenon Stratos

The Geneva Show sees a surprising newcomer to its stands in the shape of Fenomemon Ltd and their concept Stratos project. This new London-based vehicle design agency is led by a current student on the Royal College of Art's Vehicle Design course, Chris Hrabalek, who has masterminded a complete full-size mockup of a reborn Lancia Stratos concept for this year's Geneva Show. In a world where multinational companies spend several million dollars on a concept car and stand, that's a phenomenal achievement.

Who's Where: Frank Stephenson to move to Fiat

Frank Stephenson, Director of Ferrari-Maserati Concept Design and Development, is to move to Fiat to become Head of the Fiat, Lancia and Commercial Vehicle Styling Centre, based in Turin. Fiat Auto has seen a number of senior management changes within the last week, as part of an overall restructuring of the group. These include the appointment of Karl Heinz Kalbfell, Chief Operating Officer of Alfa Romeo, who is to become Chief Executive Officer of Maserati and replace Martin Leach who is now leaving the Company.

Coventry University MA Design Degree Show 2004

MA students from England's Coventry University Automotive Design course presented their annual degree exhibition last September in a brand-new facility. The Show, entitled 'Move', displayed the 21 students work in the new Coventry Transport Museum, situated in the recently redeveloped heart of the city. An industry seminar was also hosted on the opening evening with a keynote speech by Kevin Rice, Design Manager, BMW 1-Series, and with event sponsorship by Corus.

2006 Michelin Challenge Design seeks vehicle designs for California market

Michelin issued a call for entries to the global design community this week to kick off the 2006 Michelin Challenge Design, one of the industry's fastest growing vehicle design forums. In the last four years, Michelin Challenge Design has been the catalyst for students in design universities, design firms, professional designers from top OEMs, and individual designers from all over the world to have their work exhibited at a major international auto show in support of a central theme. Last year, submissions were received from 50 countries worldwide with selected designs displayed at the 2005 North American International Auto Show in January.

Steve Mattin appointed Design Director at Volvo Cars

 Volvo Car Corporation has appointed British designer Steve Mattin as Vice President and Design Director, who joins the company on 1 May following a long career at DaimlerChrysler, where he is currently Senior Design Manager with several major design projects under his responsibility. Steve Mattin is well respected in the automotive design community, and has a real passion for premium cars, which he has proved during his 17 years at DaimlerChrysler. Steve will report to Volvo Cars President and CEO, Hans-Olov Olsson as well as J Mays, group vice president of Design and Chief Creative Officer of Ford Motor Company.

Four car design schools to compete in Ferrari design contest

 Ferrari, in collaboration with Pininfarina, has laid down a global challenge for students of car design. The project, called 'Ferrari: new concepts for the myth', will see students from four of the world's best automotive design schools compete to create new concepts for future Ferraris. The four schools are: Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, Tokyo Communication Arts, Coventry University School of Art and Design, and the European Institute of Design in Turin.

Henrik Fisker launches new luxury sports car company

Henrik Fisker and Bernhard Koehler have announced the opening of a new luxury car company, Fisker Coachbuild, based in Southern California to appeal to the global market. The focus of the company will be on designing and manufacturing exclusive high-end sports cars, which will be limited to 150 units per design and sold under the Fisker brand name, with world-wide distribution. The first public unveiling of the new designs will be scheduled towards the end of 2005, with production to commence during the second quarter 2006.

Winners of the 'Ultimate LA Machine' Design Challenge announced

 The judges of the Los Angeles Auto Show's Design Challenge have named the Dodge Superbee and Volkswagen Mobile Lounge as joint-winners of the first ever automobile design studio competition. Designer Reto Brun of Volkswagen/Audi Design Center California said his studio considered two Los Angeles issues when designing the Volkswagen Mobile Lounge - an antidote to traffic and a better option for the area's "limo-centric" entertainment culture. Whisper-quiet fuel cell technology whisks occupants towards their destination while electronically controlled tinted glass, an open living space and innumerable in-car amenities provide a supremely comfortable environment.

What's New - January 2005

BMW 7 Series update Three years after its debut BMW has announced the mid-life revision of the 7 Series, due for launch in spring 2005. The update includes exterior styling enhancements, interior fine-tuning, dynamic developments and a range of new engines. From the front, there is a new headlamp and bumper design, changes to the kidney grilles and enhancement of the power dome on the hood to give the car a more powerful face.

College Exhibition: Pforzheim University Summer Degree Show 2004

Transportation Design students at Germany's Pforzheim University displayed their work in the school's summer Transportation Design degree show in July, one of the two graduation shows per year. The Pforzheim Transportation Design courses lead to BA and MA degrees. The exhibition included work from graduating Diploma and Masters students, exterior and interior projects by the 5th and 7th semester students, as well as work from students in the earlier stages of the diploma and masters courses.

Auto Show: Los Angeles Auto Show gives preview into design competition

Ask automobile designers to come up with their interpretation of the 'Ultimate LA Machine' and you'll get a broad array of creative ideas. That's precisely what the LA Auto Show asked Los Angeles area automobile design studios to do - and the results are fascinating, entertaining and thought provoking. The LA Auto Show has provided a sneak peek into the competition by releasing one of the 13 entries - the Hyundai NTT, 'Entity', submitted by the Hyundai Kia America Design Center.

First Sight: Renault Radiance concept truck

At this years IAA truck exhibition in Hannover, Germany, Renault Trucks surprised everyone by presenting a dynamic look into its future with the 'Radiance' concept truck. By capitalising on the cultural heritage of the brand, based on the three values of efficiency, 'caring and daring', and innovation, Renault Trucks have produced what they imagine to be a 'dream truck' which outlines their truck design language for the future. Xavier Allard, the design cheif of Renault Trucks explains his newest creation: "It should give people a look into a new chapter in the history of Renault Trucks".

Ford Motor Company design chief J Mays to be based in London

J Mays, Ford Motor Company group vice president for design, will be moving from the US to London in February and adding a new title: Chief Creative Officer. The new posting will allow Mays to work more closely with designers at Ford's Premier Automotive Group, including Ian Callum at Jaguar, Geoff Upex at Land Rover and Volvo's next design head. He will spend about 10 days a month in Dearborn with the North American design team.

Design Contest: 2005 World Automotive Design Competition announced

The World Automotive Design Competition, sponsored by Alias and hosted by the Canadian International Auto Show, is back with more participating design schools and an impressive list of prizes. Design students from twenty-six schools around the world have been invited to design a World Car that visually identifies its cultural origins and, at the same time, has appeal, and can be sold throughout the world, in at least five countries on three continents. The vehicle should be easily recognized as coming from a particular culture.