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, Honda, Pininfarina, Rolls-Royce and more…
It has been quite the year for car design, but with new events and launches only around the corner the news continues to flow out. This is the last round-up we’ll be running before the new year.
Honda readies prototypes for CES
Almost exactly a year after it first showcased two 0 Series concepts at CES 2024, Honda will be back in Vegas in January 2025 to reveal prototypes ahead of a planned market launch in 2026. These new models carry the ‘Thin, Light and Wise’ design language which in visual terms led to a wedgy Saloon and a more curvaceous Space Hub people carrier. The teaser image suggests those same forms have made it through to the next stage.
Full release here.
Pininfarina 95th anniversary logo change
Pininfarina has created a new logo to mark its 95th anniversary that builds on the existing crowned f but introduces a lighter and “more contemporary” font, accompanied by a ‘95’ for obvious reasons. Other badge changes of late come from Audi, which in China has dropped the four rings and opted for all caps; the badge itself also underwent a revamp in 2022. Various others include Aston Martin, BMW, Cadillac, Citroen, Kia, JLR and Porsche. Almost all have become more pared back and minimal while maintaining the key character lines.
Full release here.
Your 33 Stradale has arrived
Alfa Romeo has celebrated the first customer delivery of a 33 Stradale. It is the first of just 33 units and has been customised to the customer’s specifications, making it a one-off.
Design of the supercar was led by Alessandro Mesonero-Romanos, who describes it is a car for the enthusiast. “We had to do this for the Alfisti around the world,” he says. “And as someone who was drawing Italian cars from around 12 years old, it is a dream come true.” The design boss spoke to us in more detail on a visit to the studio – read that full interview here.
Full release here.
A year of Rolls-Royce customs
“We have once again been delighted and challenged by the breadth of our clients’ imagination, creativity and ambition,” says CEO Chris Brownridge. There was indeed a broad mix of commissions brought to the table, from a gold James Bond-inspired Phantom to a one-off inspired by a bird’s-eye view of London. The gallery below has a run down of various bespoke orders including the Cullinan, Spectre and Phantom.
Full release here.
Lancia’s new design boss is a super fan
This did not make our latest newsletter, so you may have missed CDN’s visit to Centro Stile to chat with new head of design for Lancia, Gianni Colonello. Here, he explains how the brand is close to his heart, how a love of architecture somehow fed into the production model and why the team is tapping inspiration from (Italian!) fashion and furniture.
Full story here.
More Nilu goodness
Sascha Selipanov has shared more configurations of the Nilu hypercar, which beyond its bright white show car specification has since been rendered in green and now red – inspired directly by earlier work in 2007 under the guise of ‘angrycardesigner’.
Credit: Nilu27
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