Car Design News looks at some of the design stories that may have gone under the radar over the past week. Read on for the latest from Alfa Romeo, Bertone, BYD and more…
Welcome to this week’s round-up of car design short stories. There have been a few car shows of late – with plenty more coming up – and OEMs are either celebrating awards or ramping up the hype for upcoming reveals. And from what we can see from BMW, BYD and Kia, the green (paint) trend is not dying out any time soon.
Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale wins best in show
At the 2024 Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, Alfa Romeo’s stunning tribute to the original 1967 supercar won the design awarwd for concept cars and prototypes. Best in show overall also went to an Alfa, with the judges won over by the stunning 1932 8C 2300, shown at the end of the gallery.
Audi’s RWD Q6 e-tron
A new “highly efficient” variant of the Q6 SUV e-tron has been added to the line-up, this time with rear-wheel drive. Mated to a100 kWh lithium-ion battery it can hit up to 392 miles based on the WLTP cycle. It is also the first model on the Premium Platform Electric (PPE) to be purely rear-wheel drive.
Full release here.
25 years of the RS 4
It’s not all about efficiency, though. A special 25th anniversary edition has been created in tribute to the original RS 4 Avant, complete with Imola Yellow paint, manually-adjustable coilover suspension, carbon-backed bucket seats as standard and special engraving in the windows between the C- and D-pillars. An exterior package was designed specially, with the front lip and air intake inserts, side skirts, rear diffuser insert and exterior mirror housings in matt carbon. The interior sports yellow decorative stitching inspired by the 2001 RS4 Sport.
Full release here.
Bertone GB110 on show
The Bertone GB110, created to celebrate the iconic design house’s 110th anniversary, will be officially unveiled in public during the Top Marques Monaco show held on 6 June 2024.
New Transporter prototype
Volkswagen’s commercial vehicles unit says the new Transporter van “reinterprets the design DNA of its predecessors” as it nears its seventh generation. A prototype has been revealed in the build-up, showcasing a strong shoulder line that wraps around from front to rear just like the original.
Full release here.
New M3 competition(s)
The new M3 Competition Sedan and Competition Touring “have sharpened up their already impressive acts in a host of areas” according to BMW. The newly designed headlights and steering wheels bring fresh touches to the exterior and interior, as do new forged light-alloy wheels, new interior trim elements and the addition of BMW’s latest operating system, BMW OS 8.5.
Full release here.
BYD and Yangwang at Goodwood
BYD and its luxury sub-brand Yangwang will share a stand at the British motor show this year. The former will showcase the new BYD SEAL U DM-i, a plug-in hybrid five-seater SUV, alongside the existing ATTO 3, DOLPHIN and SEAL models. Meanwhile, Yangwang will unveil its new “hardcore off-roader”, the U8, alongside the bonkers and slightly unexpected U9 supercar.
Full release here.
Kia’s special editions
Kia customers in the UK have access to special ‘Shadow’ variants of the new Picanto, Stonic and Sportage. Each offers exclusive interior colours and premium paint as standard, with a variety of new alloys, interior packs and exterior finishing.
Full release here
A heavenly debut at the Green Hell
The new Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport was presented during the iconic Nürburgring 24 Hours race, showcasing a sharper exterior design and an entirely redesigned front end, new 19-inch ’Queenstown’ alloys and a new infotainment system complete with ChatGPT functionality.
Full release here.
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