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Louis Vuitton Classic Concours d'Elegance 2004

June 11, 2004 - While the British Motor Show seems to have degenerated into a low-brow car carnival, shunned by some manufacturers and most designers, Britain still hosts some of the best classic car events in Europe that can attract top entries and enthusiasts alike. Last week, the 14th Louis Vuitton Classic was held at Waddesdon Manor, near Oxford, UK, a fabulous Renaissance-style chateau built by the Rothschilds in 1874 and set in 2500 acres of landscaped grounds. This year the event was open to the public for the first time and appeared to challenge the celebrated Goodwood Festival of Speed for the sheer quality of exhibits, number of celebrities and a suitably glamorous setting.

Videos: Volkswagen's exterior and interior designers highlight the Up's design elements

We've enjoyed the design of Volkswagen's new Up since we first saw the vehicle in concept form at the 2007 Frankfurt motor show. Devoid of any extraneous detailing, the simple, product design aesthetic is pared back to represent the crux of VW's design philosophy: pure, simple and solid.  The result is a harmonious design that stands out from the pack, with simple surfacing and subtle detailing; the Up's design is pure and minimalistic, which serves to exude quality in the product. Inside, the vehicle is brimming with space-saving design details.  From an IP devoid of central air vents to a thin headrest that visually extends the height of the interior, the Up is a success story in space efficiency, but it is also finished to a high level using quality materials.

Concept Car of the Week: Volvo Tundra (1979)

With Volvo beginning a new chapter in its design history with the Concept Coupé, it's interesting to look back at another Volvo coupé concept from 1979 – the Tundra. At the time, the Swedish manufacturer built large and relatively pricey cars that were neither really luxurious nor real 'people cars'. The 340 series began the brand's expansion towards more affordable models and proved to be very successful worldwide.