Car design round-up: BMW x Bundesliga, Maybach goes motif mad, sustainable materials

Welcome to this week’s round-up which contains plenty of interiors and digitalisation topics. Although this weekly column is generally a place for short stories, we begin this one with a slightly longer note on some potentially significant changes at Ford. 

Ford to focus on hybrid SUVs, small EVs 

Speaking in the company’s Q2 2024 earnings call, CEO Jim Farley said Ford would be moving away from pure electric powertrains for its SUVs and pick-ups to focus on hybrid powertrains instead. 

“It’s incredibly important to be transparent about Model e losses,” he told analysts. “Our team is getting much more resourceful [and] we will not launch vehicles at a loss. We see a lot more openness to hybrids and extended-range electric vehicles (E-REVs).” He added that compact EVs make more sense – despite the brand’s recent strategy to cut smaller models from the portfolio.

“We believe smaller, more affordable vehicles are the way to go for EV in volume,” Farley said. “In ICE [it is a case of] the bigger the vehicle, the higher the margin. But it’s the opposite for EVs; the larger the vehicle, the bigger the battery, the more pressure on margin. [And] with no engine or drivetrain, a smaller vehicle can have the interior package of a class above but with a small silhouette. We’re focusing on vehicles priced under $40,000 or even $30,000 and in two segments: work and adventure.”

Full release here. 

Cupra teases Terramar ahead of launch

Cupra will soon reveal a new “sporty and electrified” SUV inspired by the Autòdrom de Sitges-Terramar, better known as just Terramar. There is not much to go on just yet beyond a render of the tail lamps (we assume) but CDN will be in Barcelona on 3 September to report from the event. 

The performance offshoot of SEAT revealed the new Leon and Formentor in Madrid back in May, with design seemingly a key focus. 

Full release here. 

50 years of Turbo

Yes, there’s another special edition 911. This one marks the 50th anniversary of the Turbo, complete with side graphics that nod to the livery of the 1973 911 RSR Turbo and the Turbo-exclusive colour “Turbonite.” This colour can be found elsewhere on the engine cover, fuel tank cap and Porsche crest. 

Full release here. 

Skoda repurposes waste for Elroq interior  

The new Elroq contains materials including Recytitan and Technofil, created from materials otherwise destined for landfill. Fabric scraps from recycled post-consumer clothing, fishing nets and PET bottles can be found in various areas such as the door panels, seat covers, dashboard, armrest, and knee pads. There are two design themes: Loft and Lodge. 

Full release here. 

2025 GMC Yukon 

At 5.7 metres in length and with one of the most imposing, upright front ends of recent memory, the new Yukon XL certainly makes an impression. Inside, it is also about size. The instrument panel sports a monolithic 16.8-inch screen that supports the “Premium GMC Infotainment Center.” Interior materials include wood décor with open pore laser-etched patterns, chrome and leather. 

Full release here. 

Mercedes‑Maybach SL 680 Monogram Series

Supposedly the “sportiest” model Maybach has ever produced, the SL 680 is offered in two formats: white ambience (which is very white) and red ambience (which is very red). Maybach motifs are dotted throughout the design inside and out, in some cases subtle while others are very much in your face. The bonnet, for example, has nearly 200 of them printed across it. 

Full release here. 

Watch football while driving?

For the second year running, certain BMW owners will be able to watch football while driving – hosted directly on the touchscreen on the dash. It comes through a tie-up between BMW and Bundesliga and applies to vehicles equipped with BMW Operating System 8.5 and 9 (and their associated ‘connected driving’ packages) which BMW estimates is relevant to more than half a million vehicles on the road. The service will run between August 2024 to May 2025.  

Full release here. 

EV interior concept gets EU reveal 

Tier 1 supplier Yanfeng has showcased its Electric Vehicle Interior (EVI) concept, the result of years of research into how EVs are used day-to-day. The concept does away with a traditional instrument panel, instead combining all key features and interior functions into a Smart Cabin seat that integrates audio, safety systems, smart surfaces, storage and charging. 

Earlier in March this year the company also revealed a new “clean seat” concept that is said to carry a 40% smaller carbon footprint compared to conventional seating. The EVI concept on show in Europe this month was originally revealed in the US during CES 2024. 

Full release here. 

Bentley joins responsible leather group 

Bentley has joined sustainable leather organisation Leather Naturally which promotes the use of “certified, properly-sourced” leather created as a natural by-product of a “responsible circular economy.” It follows part of a wider conversation around natural versus synthetic materials in the automotive industry, although it feels as though there is no real “winner” of the two schools just yet. 

“Leather is a timeless, luxury material,” says Marc Stang, technical expert, leather and colour development at Bentley. “It has a rich history that dates back decades in our cars and has always stood the test of time.”

Full release here.