Spring 2014 issue of Interior Motives magazine out now

The spring edition of Car Design News’ quarterly interior design publication, Interior Motives magazine, is out now. This issue features in-depth design development articles on the most interesting and important concept and production vehicles from the recent Tokyo, Detroit and Geneva auto shows. 

The cover star is Nissan’s IDx concept. Displayed in two different forms – sporty Nismo and laid-back Freeflow – the project was carried out with input from 30 young, fashion-conscious members of ‘Generation Z’ (born post-1990).

“This process intersected nicely with our strategy. Ultimately it’s still our design execution, but the ‘digital natives’ were very useful in the planning stage,” reveals Nissan design boss Shiro Nakamura. “Being open-minded is the most important point we learned from this project.”

Also included in the issue is that other highlight of the 2013 Tokyo show, the Toyota FT-1 sports car. A “passion project” within CALTY, according to design manager William Chergosky, the FT-1 was a response to Toyota president Akio Toyoda’s clarion call for 'Waku-Doki (translated as ‘a palpable, heart-pounding sense of excitement). 

“A sports car is a superhero for the brand,” says Chergosky. “Back in the 1980s, Superman wore tights. But these days, that’s changed into this great kind of woven, body-forming armor. So we presented this idea of the IP as like the superhero, with the steering wheel as Superman’s breast plate.” 

Representing the American design perspective are the two most-notable production launches from Detroit: the Ford Mustang and Chrysler 200. 

Conceived for the first time as a ‘global’ car, the Mustang marks a quantum leap forward in terms of interior design and perceived quality on the part of Ford. “There’s a seriousness to this interior that’s new,” points out interior design manager Bill Mangan, “With the racing tradition they have, there is something that the Europeans want from this car – something exotic. This takes a big step towards that.” 

Just as impressive, albeit in a more restrained way, is the new Chrysler 200 sedan. In this issue we chart its development from the early ideation phase right through to production. 

“We spent 2-3 weeks in a [secret] room which we call Area 51,” says Chrysler Group interior design boss Klaus Busse. “The designers chose images that they thought represented cool American design. It was almost overwhelming at first, but through subsequent discussions we were able to distill what the core elements of these designs were.” 

Rounding off the spring edition of Interior Motives are design development stories on the interior of the Kia GT4 Stinger and Renault’s new Twingo hatchback – a rear-engined reinvention of one of the last century’s most characterful and innovative cars. 

For more details on this and other issues of the magazine, plus information on how to subscribe or download digital versions from the App Store, visit http://www.interiormotivesmagazine.com

By Euan Sey