Car Design News takes a look at some of the stories that may have gone under the radar this week. Read on for the latest from Audi, Volvo and Volkswagen
New Audi A6 Avant revealed
Car Design News suspects this premium estate is one of the last to be designed by the previous head of Audi design, Marc Lichte.
With an evolved version of the trademark Singleframe grille (think larger with the badge poking out of the top) and squinted, slit-like front headlights, the A6 Avant is both aggressive and distinguished.
Read Car Design News’ full coverage here.
The luxury of choice
Bentley’s bespoke and coachbuilding vision, Mulliner, has expanded its wide range of exterior accent colours to beyond a staggering 46 million possibilities.
Accent colour options include pinstripes to body kits and door mirrors and wheel designs painted in single colours, two contrasting colours or with pinstripe details.
Exterior accent colours can complement or contrast the model’s exterior finish – for example, the new dark chrome interior finish offered for the Continental GT could be paired with a matching exterior accent colour in dark grey.
Full release here.
Interested in becoming part of the design team at Bentley? Explore the latest vacancies here.
Cadillac reveals all-electric 2026 Escalade IQL
Cadillac has expanded its all-electric SUV line-up with the 2026 Escalade IQL, a longer, more specious evolution of the Escalade IQ.
The elongated silhouette enhances third-row comfort and cargo space, complemented by a 12.2 cu-ft eTrunk for extra storage.
Inside, luxury meets tech with a sweeping 55-inch pillar-to-pillar display, massaging seats, a 38-speaker system and an available Executive Second Row package that extends this to 42 speakers.
Full release here.
More details released on the Hyundai Ioniq 9
Hyundai’s Ioniq 9 has been in the headlines since its November debut, and now, we’ve got the design details to match the hype. As the latest in Hyundai’s award-winning Ioniq lineup, this three-row SUV brings a fusion of minimalism, luxury and tech that’s more ‘space-age penthouse’ than ‘people mover’.
Outside, the Ioniq 9 flexes a crisp, architectural aesthetic with strong horizontal lines, a parametric pixel light signature and aerodynamic sculpturing that reduces drag.
Hyundai’s designers clearly took a ‘less is more’ approach on the inside but with an emphasis on ‘more’ where it counts. A flat floor maximises space; while calming tones, soft ambient lighting and elliptical design elements create a lounge-like atmosphere.
The pièce de résistance? First and second-row relaxation seats with massage functions—because road trips should feel like spa days.
Tech lovers get a 12.3-inch panoramic curved display, an AI assistant that responds to ‘Hey Hyundai’ and an advanced EV route planner.
Full release here.
Lotus ups the Emira ante with a revised offering
Lotus has sharpened its Emira line-up to include the new Turbo SE, a nod to the marque’s turbocharged past, next to the Emira V6. These vehicles will replace the First Editions currently in the collection.
Sporting a 2.0L AMG-sourced engine with 400bhp, the Turbo SE slashes 0-62mph to just 4.0 seconds. Special equipment? Absolutely – sports suspension, black Lotus badging and 20-inch Satin Grey wheels turn up the aggression.
The Lotus Emira Turbo SE is reminiscent of when SE was an optional ‘Special Equipment’ package.
Meanwhile, the V6 variant remains for those craving supercharged punch.
Full release here.
The future is turquoise
Mercedes-Benz is seeing the future in turquoise – literally. The brand just got the green light to test special marker lights for automated driving across Germany, with a distinct turquoise glow signalling when drive pilot is in control.
Integrated into the headlights, taillights and mirror indicators, this high-tech hue helps everyone on the road know when a car is cruising hands-free.
Already tested in the US, turquoise is making its way into global regulations as the go-to shade for self-driving. Germany, ever the automation trailblazer, is leading the charge—because when the robots take the wheel, they should do it in style.
Full release here.
NewTerritory takes flight in automotive design
Fasten your seatbelts and fold your tray table up – NewTerritory is shifting gears from aviation to automotive with a brand-new division focused on interior and brand experiences. Led by ex-Virgin Atlantic design chief Luke Miles, the studio aims to redefine the future of electric and autonomous vehicles by creating signature moments that set brands apart.
“We need to move beyond just the functional object,” said Miles. “Like in aviation, the magic is in the experience.”
With high-profile projects already underway for major UK, US and German manufacturers, plus last-mile and AV startups, NewTerritory is ready to land a new era of mobility design.
Full release here.
PPG announces colour of the year
PPG has announced its colour of the year in the paint giant’s annual colour report.
For 2025, it’s Purple Basil. This deep kinetic hue – also known as Amethyst Shadow or Acai Berry – is part of PPG’s Kinetic colour theme, featuring 40 shades split across four palettes.
From moody matte to bold sporty gloss, Purple Basil adapts across markets and models. Misty Yeomans colour styling manager at PPG added: “We believe consumers are ready for more colour, and the desire for personalised experiences through colour continues to drive innovation.
“The desire for different textures, finishes, and effects continues to grow and change too. Our research to deploy our 2025 Colour of the Year, along with access to a global team of colour stylists and chemists, help design colour palettes that satisfy the ever-changing colour and style demands of consumers.”
Full release here.
The Rolls-Royce renaissance
The Rolls-Royce Corniche is back – reimagined, refined and ready for the modern era – thanks to Halcyon. With the precision of a Swiss watchmaker and the flair of a Savile Row tailor, the new luxury brand is breathing fresh life into Rolls-Royce icons, seamlessly blending heritage with state-of-the-art craftsmanship.
“We’re perfecting what could have been built 60 years ago with today’s technology,” says Halcyon CEO Matthew Pearson. Think uninterrupted chrome, bespoke headlights, and a hand-finished body. Inside, classic British craftsmanship meets contemporary tech—concealed infotainment, wireless CarPlay, and a dashboard-turned-art gallery.
With only 60 commissions available, each Halcyon creation is an automotive masterpiece, where every stitch and surface tells a story.
Full release here.
Volkswagen ID. Every1 previews
Volkswagen’s ID Every1 is here to prove that entry-level electric doesn’t mean boring. As a spiritual successOR to the Up!, this compact EV offers both practicality and personality with its smiling front face. Andreas Mindt, design chief at Volkswagen, noted at the launch: “Our ambition was to create something bold yet accessible.” Read our full interview with Mindt here.
At 3,880mm long, the ID. Every1 slots neatly between the original Up! and the Polo while maximising interior space with Volkswagen’s new MEB front-wheel-drive platform. As a result, there’s room for four passengers, a 305-litre boot and a cleverly packaged electric drivetrain delivering at least 250km of range.
Within the vehicle, Volkswagen focuses on customer-driver design, with a clean intuitive layout and tech that evolves over time. The model debuts a new software architecture, allowing over-the-air updates to add features post-purchase. “This is about putting customers first,” says development head Kai Grünitz.
Set to join the electric urban car family in 2027, the ID. Every1 is Volkswagen’s latest step in democratising EVs. It follows the ID. 2all and the sporty ID. Concept GTI, proving that even the smallest cars can have big ambitions.
Full release here.
More on the Volvo ES90
Volvo’s all-electric ES90 blurs the lines between a sedan, fastback and SUV, creating a uniquely versatile flagship that’s as stylish as it is practical. With a confident stance, subtly raised ride height and a flowing roofline for aerodynamics, the ES90 does not sacrifice space.
Inside, Scandinavian minimalism meets high-tech luxury. A 14.5-inch infotainment screen, ambient lighting themes, a panoramic electrochromic sunroof and ultra-quiet acoustics set a refined mood. The optional 25-speaker Bowers & Wilkins system, complete with an Abbey Road Studio mode, turns the cabin into a concert hall.
Volvo CEO, Jim Rowan, describes the ES90 as a combination of the brand’s “most advanced technologies and Scandinavian design.”
Full release here.
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