Unveiled at Monterey Car Week 2025, the Lamborghini Fenomeno is more than a car—it’s a design statement. Limited to just 29 units, the Fenomeno celebrates 20 years of Lamborghini Centro Stile with a vision of pure, futuristic elegance shaped entirely in carbon fiber.
The Fenomeno’s proportions follow the dramatic “longtail” silhouette, its single-line profile stretching from nose to tail with architectural precision. Clean, puristic surfaces dominate the bodywork, combining aerodynamic function with sculptural form. Every detail—from the Y-shaped front signature lights inspired by the bull’s horns, to the vertical reinterpretation of the iconic Y at the rear—expresses Lamborghini’s timeless design DNA while introducing a bold new rhythm.
Inside, the cockpit reflects Lamborghini’s “Feel like a pilot” philosophy, with a race-inspired steering wheel, minimal digital interfaces, and lightweight carbon-fiber detailing. The result is a futuristic interior that feels both spacecraft-like and intimately tailored to the driver.
Though powered by the brand’s most extreme hybrid V12 (1,080 CV), the Fenomeno’s essence lies in design: elegance fused with aggression, function integrated with purity. It is a hyper-elegant spaceship for the road, a manifesto of Lamborghini’s future design language and a tribute to the creativity of Centro Stile.
It’s incredible to see Kia America’s continued success in the marketplace, with April marking yet another record-breaking sales performance. A total of 74,805 units delivered is a fantastic achievement, reflecting a 14% increase compared to last year. This isn’t just a victory in terms of numbers; it’s also a reflection of the growing demand for innovative vehicles that combine both style and functionality. With seven consecutive months of record-breaking sales, Kia’s momentum seems unstoppable. Among the standouts in this impressive lineup are the Telluride and Sportage SUVs, both of which saw remarkable increases in sales. I’m particularly excited to highlight the K4 (previously known as the Kia Forte), which also saw a 5% growth in April sales. As a designer, it’s thrilling to see how the K4 continues to evolve, delivering both design and functionality. With its sleek, dynamic styling and strong performance, it’s no surprise the K4 remains a popular choice. Equally impressive is the performance of the Carnival MPV, which saw a significant 79% sales boost, partly due to the successful launch of its hybrid variant. In terms of electrification, Kia’s electrified models are gaining serious traction, with a 21% increase in sales compared to last year. With the production of the EV6 and EV9 officially starting at their Georgia manufacturing facility, the brand’s growth trajectory looks poised for even more success. The unveiling of the K4 hatchback, the EV4 sedan, and the EV9 Nightfall Edition at the New York International Auto Show underscores Kia’s commitment to pushing boundaries. These new models showcase an exciting blend of bold design, cutting-edge technology, and functionality that will likely appeal to an even broader range of drivers. The K4 hatchback, for example, takes the success of the K4 sedan and enhances it, offering more cargo space and flexibility without sacrificing the vehicle’s overall design. Additionally, Kia’s continued recognition, such as the EV3 being named ‘World Car of the Year,’ speaks volumes about the hard work, dedication, and forward-thinking vision behind these models. It’s exciting to watch a company consistently raise the bar, delivering both innovation and excellence to the automotive world.
As an automotive designer, I’m consistently inspired by how brands push the boundaries of design, both in aesthetics and technology. The Electrified GV70 from Genesis is a prime example of this commitment to innovation, seamlessly blending luxury with cutting-edge electric vehicle technology.
Genesis has refined the already popular Electrified GV70, taking the European model to new heights with bold exterior updates and sophisticated interior enhancements. Here’s a breakdown of what makes this all-electric SUV a true embodiment of Athletic Elegance:
Photo by: Genesis Motor UK
Exterior Design – Refined and Forward-Thinking
The redesigned exterior of the Electrified GV70 strikes the perfect balance between power and refinement. The new G-Matrix Crest Grille, inspired by the distinctive design elements of the Hyundai Palisade, and updated Genesis emblems give the vehicle a sleek, modern edge (I hope to see these implemented on the North American version too, as they are much nicer). The Two-Line headlights with Micro Lens Array (MLA) technology offer precision lighting that elevates both style and safety. With the introduction of new Ceres Blue (available in both metallic and matte finishes), along with an upgraded 20-inch diamond-cut alloy wheel design for the Dynamic and Luxury trims, the Electrified GV70 offers multiple ways to personalize its bold exterior. At the rear, the updated design features Two-Line chrome accents, repositioned indicators, and a streamlined high-mounted stop light integrated with the rear camera—improving both aesthetics and functionality.
Photo by: Genesis Motor UK
Interior Design – Luxury and Comfort
The interior of the Electrified GV70 adheres to the Korean philosophy of the “beauty of white space,” creating a serene and luxurious environment for both driver and passengers. New aluminium accents and ‘Milky Way’ patterned mood lighting enhance the sophisticated atmosphere, while premium, soft-touch materials elevate the tactile experience. The Mood Curator system takes personalization to the next level, offering four modes—Vitality, Delight, Calm, and Comfort—that seamlessly blend lighting, music, and scent to transform the in-car experience. On models equipped with Ergo Motion technology, the Mood Curator is further enhanced with massage seating functions. For added personalization, you can choose from a range of interior options, including Obsidian Black, Frozen Grey/Urban Brown, and Glacier White/Icy Blue. Personally, the perfect combination for this car would be Savile Silver with Obsidian Black and Vanilla Beige Quilting—although, I’d be thrilled if they offered the option to choose the Quilting color, similar to what Aston Martin does.
As a designer, it’s exciting to see how the automotive world continues to evolve, and this electric luxury SUV stands as a testament to that evolution.
As the automotive world buzzes with designers crafting their own interpretations of the Jaguar Type-00, I also re-imagined the vehicle as part of a personal creative exercise. However, I believe it’s crucial to address the elephant in the room: Jaguar’s presentation strategy. While the Type-00 is not inherently flawed in design—it’s bold and different, much like the Cybertruck was in its debut—the real issue lies in how Jaguar introduced it to the world.
Jaguar has never struggled with car design. In fact, their portfolio boasts some of the most iconic vehicles ever created: the sleek F-Type (2014), the timeless XK120 (1949), the elegant XJ-12-C, the sophisticated XF (2011), the iconic E-Type Roadster (1961), the luxurious XJ (2012), and my personal favorite, the breathtaking XJ220. These models exemplify Jaguar’s design rich heritage.
As an Industrial and Automotive Designer, I feel compelled to address the potential risks Jaguar faces with its current rebranding strategy.
Heritage vs. Innovation: A Delicate Balance
Jaguar’s decision to radically depart from its established design language with the Type-00 comes with significant risks:
Brand Dilution: The dramatic shift away from Jaguar’s classic design elements may confuse loyal customers and dilute the brand’s identity.
Alienating Core Demographics: The new direction, particularly bold color choices like “Miami Pink,” risks alienating Jaguar’s traditional customer base who value sophistication and understated luxury.
Disconnect with Heritage: The absence of familiar Jaguar design cues—like the iconic leaper—has left many questioning whether Jaguar still values its roots.
Other luxury brands have faced similar challenges when attempting radical rebrands:
Gap’s Logo Fiasco of 2010: A hasty retreat to their original logo after public backlash over a generic redesign.
Tropicana’s Packaging Mishap (2009): A 20% sales drop following a redesign that removed familiar brand elements.
To mitigate these risks, I propose strategies for brands considering radical changes:
Evolutionary design: Introduce new elements gradually while maintaining ties to brand heritage.
Stakeholder Engagement: Involve loyal customers and enthusiasts in development processes to ensure buy-in.
Clear Communication: Articulate how changes build upon brand strengths rather than replacing them entirely.
Diversified Portfolio: Retain models that cater to traditional tastes while pushing boundaries with others.
Innovation is essential for growth but must be balanced with respect for brand heritage. The Type-00 concept is not inherently flawed; it’s the presentation and context that require refinement. Jaguar has a legacy of creating some of history’s most beautiful cars. By leveraging this strength while exploring new directions, Jaguar can evolve without risking alienation.
As industry leaders, we must remember that our brands are not just products but emotional connections with our customers. Let’s innovate responsibly, ensuring that our leaps forward don’t leave our loyal base behind.
Note: Did you spot what I did in my concept to connect it back to Jaguar’s heritage?
Starting a car company with a high-end sports car or luxury vehicle is not a recent innovation. This approach has been a cornerstone of the automotive industry, predating Elon Musk’s Tesla Roadster by many decades. It allows new manufacturers to establish their brand identity, showcase cutting-edge technology, and attract attention from both media and consumers.
Here’s a list of companies that followed this path, including both historical and contemporary examples:
Historical Pioneers
Ferrari First Car: Ferrari 125 S (1947) Impact: Established Ferrari as a leader in high-performance vehicles, laying the foundation for its growth into a globally recognized luxury automaker.
Porsche First Car: Porsche 356 (1948) Impact: Made Porsche synonymous with performance and engineering excellence, enabling expansion into other segments.
Lamborghini First Car: Lamborghini 350 GT (1964) Impact: Positioned Lamborghini as a direct competitor to Ferrari, growing into an iconic supercar manufacturer.
Modern Innovators
McLaren First Car: McLaren F1 (1993) Impact: Set benchmarks for performance and design, establishing McLaren as a serious player in the automotive world.
Acura First Cars: Acura Legend sedan and Integra hatchback (1986) Impact: Helped Acura grow into a major player in the premium automotive segment.
Lexus First Car: Lexus LS 400 (1989) Impact: Redefined luxury, allowing Lexus to compete directly with German luxury giants.
Contemporary Examples
Polestar First Car: Polestar 1 (2017) Impact: Demonstrated Polestar’s engineering capabilities, paving the way for its fully electric lineup.
Lucid Motors First Car: Lucid Air (2021) Impact: Set new standards for electric luxury sedans, establishing Lucid as a credible rival to Tesla.
Faraday Future First Car: FF 91 (2023) Impact: Represents Faraday Future’s ambition to disrupt traditional automakers in the ultra-luxury EV market.
Strategic Approach
Launching with a high-end model offers several advantages:
– Establishes strong brand identity – Attracts significant media attention – Showcases cutting-edge technology – Provides higher profit margins for future development – Creates a halo effect for subsequent offerings
This strategy has proven effective across decades of automotive history, from Ferrari’s early V12s to modern electric pioneers. It remains a powerful way for new entrants to carve out their place in an increasingly competitive market.
Honda’s unveiling of the 0 SUV and 0 Saloon prototypes at CES 2025 marked a significant leap in the car design philosophy.
These vehicles embody Honda’s “Thin, Light, and Wise” approach, pushing the boundaries of what we expect from electric vehicles.
The 0 Saloon, Honda’s flagship EV, showcases a bold departure from conventional designs. Its low-slung profile and wedge-shaped styling set it apart in a market saturated with similar silhouettes.
In contrast, the 0 SUV prototype presents a fascinating evolution of the Space-Hub concept introduced at CES 2024. Its design language blends elements reminiscent of the Polestar 3 and Hyundai Ioniq 9, resulting in a minimalist, almost spaceship-like aesthetic. The slightly boxier shape diverges from the typical teardrop profile seen in many SUVs, prioritizing interior space and practicality without compromising on style.
Both models feature distinctive rectangular taillights encircling a simplified Honda logo, a design cue that’s becoming a signature element of Honda’s EV lineup. This attention to detail in lighting design is crucial in creating a strong brand identity, especially at night.
Interestingly, the design approach of Honda’s 0 Series bears similarities to the journey of Hyundai’s recent models. The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe, for instance, initially raised eyebrows with its bold, blocky profile reminiscent of certain British off-road vehicles. However, this daring design choice has since gained acceptance and appreciation among customers, much as the Hyundai Ioniq 5’s unique styling has become a hallmark of forward-thinking design.
The interior design of both 0 Series models deserves special mention. Honda has embraced a “terrace” approach to passenger and cargo space, emphasizing openness and flexibility. This philosophy is evident in the spacious cabins, which appear larger than the exterior dimensions would suggest.
From a designer’s perspective, what’s particularly impressive is Honda’s commitment to balancing form and function. The wedge-shaped designs aren’t merely aesthetic choices; they contribute to the vehicles’ aerodynamics, crucial for extending range and efficiency in EVs. Similarly, the boxy rear of the 0 SUV, while stylistically bold, serves the practical purpose of maximizing cargo space and rear passenger headroom.
In conclusion, Honda’s 0 Series prototypes represent a harmonious blend of innovative design and practical functionality. They demonstrate that EVs can be both visually striking and highly functional, potentially setting new standards in automotive design.
As with the evolution of Hyundai’s designs, it’s likely that the initially bold choices made by Honda will pave the way for a new era of EV aesthetics, challenging and ultimately reshaping consumer expectations in the electric vehicle market.
This year at CES 2025, we’ve witnessed a significant shift in the automotive industry as electronics companies make their entrance into automotive design, signaling a new era where EVs are increasingly blurring the lines between vehicles and electronic devices.
Sony Honda Mobility (SHM) showcased their Afeela 1, demonstrating how consumer electronics expertise can translate into automotive innovation. The Afeela 1 isn’t just a car; it’s a tech platform on wheels, emphasizing AI capabilities, advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), and seamless connectivity.
Samsung, through its subsidiary Harman, is leveraging its technological prowess to redefine the in-vehicle experience. Harman announced collaborations with leading companies across the tech and automotive sectors, focusing on creating intelligent and intuitive user experiences in cars. Their partnership with Cerence AI has led to the launch of “Luna,” an advanced AI system for vehicles, demonstrating the increasing importance of AI in automotive design.
More Electronics, Less Mechanics
The trend of electronics companies entering the automotive space reflects the fundamental shift in vehicle architecture brought about by electrification. EVs are, at their core, more akin to electronic products than the ICE predecessors. This shift is evident in several key areas:
Software-Defined Vehicles (SDVs): The emphasis on software and AI in modern EVs aligns perfectly with the strengths of electronics companies. User Experience Focus: The in-car experience is becoming increasingly digital, with features like advanced AI assistants providing a high degree of personalization. Advanced Displays: BMW’s new Panoramic iDrive system, featuring the BMW Panoramic Vision full-width windshield display, exemplifies the trend towards more immersive and informative in-car displays. Sensor Integration: Companies like Omnivision and Philips are bringing their expertise in sensing technologies to create advanced in-cabin monitoring systems.
The Future of Automotive Design
As we move forward, the fusion of automotive and consumer electronics will only intensify. The automotive industry is seeing a rapid evolution in vehicle architecture, with a greater emphasis on software integration and electronic systems. This shift means adapting to a new paradigm where UX/UI design, software integration, and electronic systems play an increasingly central role in the vehicle development process. The challenge lies in seamlessly blending these high-tech elements with the traditional aspects of automotive design – aesthetics, ergonomics, and performance. For those of us in the industry, it’s an exhilarating time to be at the forefront of this transformation, shaping the vehicles that will define the next era of mobility.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become a powerful tool in industrial design, offering unprecedented opportunities for creativity. However, it comes with significant challenges—especially when creating something truly novel that deviates from established norms. Try to design a circular-shaped printer, and you will discover AI’s key limitations:
Training – AI is trained on existing ideas and products; anything new will confuse and challenge the AI.
Manual Editing Required – AI-generated outputs often need extensive manual adjustments to achieve desired quality, shape, and accuracy.
Limited Context Understanding – AI tools struggle to grasp nuanced project requirements, necessitating constant manual refinement.
Creativity Balance – While AI handles complex calculations, human designers bring essential intuition and emotional intelligence.
Skill Adaptation and Transparency – Integrating AI into the design process requires learning new tools and methods while adapting workflows. Additionally, there’s a growing need for transparency in how AI algorithms work to build trust among designers, stakeholders, and end-users (more on this in my next article).
My Strategic Approach
To overcome these challenges, I developed a structured workflow:
– Use AI for initial concept generation. – Manually refine designs using Photoshop, Affinity Design, Sketchbook, SolidWorks, and other tools. – Create an iterative design process. – Push creative boundaries beyond AI-generated outputs. – Validate designs with stakeholders.
Following this approach, I was able to get the results I was looking for.
Amidst ongoing discussions about Jaguar’s latest concept car, the Type 00, I’ve noticed fascinating design parallels with one of Jaguar’s most iconic supercars – the XJ220.
The XJ220 was a groundbreaking supercar that emerged from Jaguar’s engineering team, known as “The Saturday Club”, led by Jim Randle. Originally conceived as a concept at the 1988 British International Motor Show, the XJ220 was known for its revolutionary design that “looked like it was doing 220mph stood still”.
While critics debate the Type 00’s departure from traditional Jaguar aesthetics, I’ve spotted intriguing design connections that pay homage to the legendary XJ220.
Key Design Similarities: / Side Profile / – Both cars share a remarkably similar curvature at the rear end. – A distinctive skirt runs from front to back and ends in a distinct “L” shape, now accentuated with chrome and black detailing at the Type 00. / Rear Design / – Rectangular shape with horizontal fins. – Vented areas reminiscent of the XJ220’s engine cooling design (under the rear window).
Interesting Twist: Despite being an all-electric vehicle, the Type 00 maintains design elements traditionally associated with combustion engines, like the “exhaust” area styling. What do you think about these design connections? Are they intentional homage or coincidental similarities?
Jaguar has unveiled the Type 00, an all-electric concept car that reimagines the brand’s design philosophy and signals its transformation into an electric-only luxury marque. The two-door grand tourer concept blends futuristic elements with classic automotive proportions, reminiscent of cars with large front-mounted engines. It features dramatic butterfly doors and a minimalist interior.
The innovative interior includes unique features such as a brass spine separating driver and passenger, and a mood-setting system with interchangeable material “totems” that alter the car’s ambiance. While these design ideas are intriguing, their practical purpose remains unclear.
The projected EPA-estimated range of up to 430 miles seem ambitious given the car’s boxy design, which typically challenges aerodynamic efficiency.
Officially unveiled on December 2, 2024, during Miami Art Week, the Type 00 concept serves as a preview for Jaguar’s upcoming production models. The first of these, a four-door GT, is expected to debut in late 2025 and enter production in 2026. With an anticipated price well above $150,000 in the U.S., Jaguar is positioning itself in the ultra-luxury segment alongside brands like Bentley and Rolls-Royce.
Jaguar predicts retaining only 15% of its current customer base with this dramatic shift. Nevertheless, the company is confident that this bold strategy will rejuvenate its market presence and secure its place in the future of automotive luxury.
