Apr 16

Test Drive: 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA: Part SUV, part urban roadster, the latest entry-level offering from the German automaker impresses in the city and out

Posted in: autos, cardesign, compacts, suv, testdrive

Test Drive: 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA


The spending habits of younger consumers have changed drastically in recent years—especially when it comes to large purchases like cars and real estate. Whether due to economic forces or shifting social norms (or a combination of both), companies are racing to appeal to…

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Mar 17

Test Drive: 2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class: Grown-up and refined, the German automaker’s latest release offers luxury beyond its price point

Posted in: c-class, cardesign, carreviews, testdrive

Test Drive: 2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class


by Davis Adams Earlier this year, Mercedes-Benz launched its 2014 CLA-Class; a handsome, compact sedan targeted squarely at young professionals and newcomers to the luxury market. Truth be told, the CLA has become a benchmark for entry-level premium cars, making no bones about…

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Mar 13

The Mint 400, Las Vegas: The historic and colorful race isn’t just a competition, it’s a showcase of off-roading innovations

Posted in: cardesign, carracing, carshows, lasvegas, off-road

The Mint 400, Las Vegas


This weekend, Las Vegas is going to be louder and dustier than ever, as this year’s The Mint 400 (aka “The Great American Off-Road Race”) rolls into town. The race—which started back in 1967 to promote the…

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Mar 05

Apple CarPlay: The groundbreaking portable in-car OS features seamless smartphone integration, intuitive user interface and regular software updates

Posted in: cardesign, carplay, genevamotorshow, mobiledevices, techinnovations, volvo

Apple CarPlay


Automakers have always pushed to keep in step with advancements in consumer technology, from the first car radios to the integration of touchscreen navigation and infotainment systems. At the same time, in-car technology is notorious for not being upgradable—as the devices we use…

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Feb 03

The Language of Tape Design: A look at the age-old technique of using full scale clay models and tape in the automotive design process

Posted in: 3dsoftware, automotivedesign, autoshows, cardesign

The Language of Tape Design


When you think about automobile design, clay probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. From sketches on paper to refined 3D renderings made in CAD, the design remains almost solely in theory until the team moves to a clay model. Modelers…

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Nov 26

Interview: Shiro Nakamura of Nissan, Infiniti and Datsun: A conversation with the Senior Vice President and Chief Creative Officer of Design and Brand Management of the Japanese auto brands

Posted in: autoshows, cardesign, datsun, infiniti

Interview: Shiro Nakamura of Nissan, Infiniti and Datsun


Auto designers are part of a very small community, and those who rise to the top to direct the design of an entire brand (or multiple brands) always intrigue us. By nature, these talented people command the attention of the designers that work…

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Oct 17

Interview: JAQET: The LA-based car designer makes minimalist leather wallets by night—and debuts his newest color: Smoke

Posted in: cardesign, madeinamerica, smallbatch

Interview: JAQET


Many of us have experienced the rush of finding the perfect wallet—only to discover one feature that breaks the final decision, whether it’s an ostentatious logo or machine-stitched threading, promising to unravel. When a car designer decides to take matters into his own…

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Aug 30

Volvo Concept Coupé: A firsthand look at the Swedish automaker’s turbocharged plug-in hybrid

Posted in: cardesign, conceptcars, conceptcoupé, designstrategy, Gothenburg, scandinaviandesign, testdrives, thomasingenlath, volvo

Volvo Concept Coupé


The history of Volvo is a storied one. Various ownership changes over the past decades and an arguable dearth in design innovation—the very quality that made the brand a beloved staple of intelligence in the industry—coupled with a few poor financial years has…

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