“Digitalisation is an opportunity to highlight traditional materials”
By Michael Nash2025-03-25T10:37:00
Designers describe the benefits of using traditional materials inside the cabin, but digitalisation and material development could change the game
Many traditional materials still used in the car interior today have been present for decades, even centuries. Drivers and occupants around the world have come to expect a comfy leather chair, for example. But as trends such as digitalisation develop, and new materials offer increasingly enticing benefits, can traditional products retain their position and remain relevant in the rapidly evolving space of vehicle interiors?
Deep roots
“Materials such as wood, aluminum and leather are deeply rooted in Audi DNA,” Tiziana Mauri, head of C&T design at Audi, tells CDN. “We have been using them for a long time because our customers really appreciate the properties of these materials. They offer practically unlimited possibilities for our creativity, and as a designer, I see that…