This week’s round-up of short design stories covers news from the likes of Cadillac, Suzuki, Morgan, Polestar and more
Welcome to this week’s round of stories that you may have missed beyond the headlines. It includes yet more retro-revival – already firming to be a trend of 2025 – but also some model refreshes, show cars and liveries.
Rezvani RR1
The Porsche 992 Carrera is being rethought by the ‘tactical vehicle’ manufacturer Rezvani, now under the sub-brand Rezvani Retro. There is little to go by just yet, but two variants will be offered – the slowest of which still sports 600bhp.
Full release here.
Morgan
The replacement of the much-loved Plus Six is nearly ready.
Full release here.
Alpine livery
Alpine has shared the new livery that will decorate its A424 endurance hypercar in this year’s World Endurance Championship. While motorsport is not a regular fixture on CDN, trends on the track have historically filtered down into road cars. Perhaps similar cues will be found on upcoming special editions.
Full release here.
Jannarelly’s “beyond restomod”
The designer behind the Caterham Project V has revealed his latest project, a super-light two-sweater fitted with a naturally-aspirated V8. The model is called the Ælla-60 and is produced by a new brand dubbed Art Machines by Anthony Jannarelly. He describes it as a “beyond restomod” and is the result of an effort to rethink the typical coachbuilder approach.
As Jannarelly explains: “Our idea is simply to take an already homologated and proven base and turn it into the ultimate original supercar, created without any compromise on design or driving experience. It’s a dream car, truly usable by its owners, like the gentlemen drivers of the 1960s who drove their GTs to Le Mans to compete in the 24 Hours.”
It will be on show at Retromobile in Paris this February. Full release here.
New BMW iX
Ah, some newness. BMW has revealed the latest version of the iX electric SUV, which has been updated with “specific exterior and interior design modifications” to create more of a “sporty character.”
Full release here.
…and M3 CS Touring
Is your M3 estate not quite fast enough? Here’s the answer.
Full release here.
Polestar’s arctic circle collection
The EV maker is channeling its Nordic roots with a new range of special editions, timed nicely to coincide with the F.A.T. Ice Race. New livery, tyre and wheel setups, a revamped race-forward interior and some neat roof racks and cargo holders.
Full release here.
Renault’s latest laboratory on wheels
Renault has introduced another of its “rolling labs” with the Filante Record 2025 which does indeed aim to break some records. Not speed, but energy efficiency. Meant in the best way possible, we are sure current design students will be pleased to see they are on the mark when it comes to some of their future-looking projects, which seem to follow a similar set of forms and innovation to this concept. Check out some of Pforzheim’s concepts from last year, for example.
Full release here.
Suzuki Jimny Nomade launches in Japan
The Nomade moniker has been brought back with a new edition of a Jimny five-door in Japan. Past examples include the ’90s Escudo SUV and the 1970s Nomad (no ‘e’) snowmobile. We’re sad to see livery from the latter has not been revived alongside, but there is still time…
Full release here.
A new Cadillac V
Anything with a V suffix is usually a bit of a blast to drive. The latest to bear the badge is the Lyriq, dubbed “the quickest Cadillac ever” by the brand.
Full release here.
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