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Mazda 3, Mazda 6 get customized for the SEMA Show

We like the look of Mazda's current lineup, from the basic 2 to the sleek 6. Kodo design language has a lot to do with it -- Mazda North American Operations design director Derek Jenkins says that, thanks that Kodo styling, "the Zoom-Zoom genetic code is further being embraced, not buried, through increasingly expressive vehicle design." (Ugh.-ED) We didn't know genetics had anything to do with it, but hey -- tough to argue with the results. Perhaps Kodo's effectiveness is why Mazda's SEMA show concepts are fairly...restrained compared to what other automakers are bringing to Las Vegas.

Hyundai ix35 makes it to Harrods

The Hyundai ix35 makes it to a Harrods window display We’re not too sure whether we should take the news that the Hyundai ix35 will take pride of place in one of Harrods’ Brompton Road window displays is indicative of the progress Hyundai has made in the last couple of years, or it’s the new owners’ policy to show its visitors what the proletariat are driving these days. Whichever it is, there will be a top of the range Hyundai ix35 Premium in dazzling white strutting its stuff – well, sitting in the window anyway – in one of Harrods’ window displays for the whole of this week (w/b 7/6). This whole ‘Hyundai in Harrods’ is a bit of PR flim-flam to get some headlines and copy (see, it works) but it does show just how far Hyundai has come.

Peter Stevens and Julian Thomson lead a discussion on the past, present and future of car design

As part of its sponsorship of London's Clerkenwell Design Week, Jaguar and the Royal College of Art brought together three generations of the design school to discuss the past, present and possible future of car design. Held in a suitably grimy warehouse in east London – with the sculpture by RCA students Ewan Gallimore and Claire Mille's we showed you earlier this week sat outside – Professor Dale Harrow, dean of the School of Design and head of its Vehicle Design program introduced Professor Peter Stevens, Julian Thomson, Jaguar's advanced design director and Alexandra Palmowski project designer advanced colour and material at Jaguar took the audience through their careers. Charismatic as ever, Peter Stevens kicked off proceedings that moved chronologically through the decades by explaining how he first became interested in "the art if car design, allied to the science of how they work" through his artistic parents and uncle – journalist and motoring adventurer – Denis Jenkinson during the 1950s and 60s.