Car design round-up: teasers, tweaks and clean seats

Welcome to this week’s round-up of news that you may have missed, with quite a few model refreshes and new performance variants, as well as some interesting work going on at the supplier level.  

Kia K4 to preview in New York

Shadowy images have been released ahead of the new K4’s reveal this month in New York. Unlike most teasers these do give a fair bit away. There is an interesting shoulder line that seems to drop around the rear arch, perhaps indicative of some muscled bodywork. And check out that funky C-pillar. It is a statement of intent for the US market, following other recent activity at the Chicago auto show.

Full release here. 

Bentley Batur digital personalisation

Stand by for a Marmite offering: some will love the Batur’s new door light animations, others will hate them. The idea is to create the appearance of a light shining through a crystal, and it is a symbolic gesture to show where Bentley’s design language is headed: “Looking to the future, light will play a significant part in [that].” Full release here. 

MG to take centre stage at Goodwood 

Now under SAIC ownership, the brand is looking to channel its British roots and is ramping up its activities at the motor show. It already might quite the splash last year with a sizeable stand; this year it will take prime position as the Central Feature for the first time ever. 

Full release here. 

VW GTX models

Is GTX the new GTI? Seems that way, replacing the GTI, GTD and GTE monikers of the ICE-age. The latest to bear the badge are the ID.3 GTX and ID.7 GTX Tourer models, following the earlier ID.4 and ID.5 variants. Both have a distinctive honeycomb grille and front bumper design, with gloss black elements extending to the side sills and rear diffuser. New 20-inch alloy wheels come as standard. 

Full release here. 

Nissan GT-R editions launch for 2025 

Nissan has launched its 2025 GT-R models in Japan; the GT-R Premium Edition T-spec and GT-R Track Edition engineered by NISMO have been given the subtlest of exterior refreshes, with updates mainly mechanical. There are special aluminum certification plates and an optional interior colour called Blue Heaven.

Full release here.

Merc’s super slippery saloon

The EQXX has taken to the Middle East for extensive range testing, with the aim of feeding its research around energy efficiency back into series-produced road cars.  

Full release here.

Audi A3 upgrades

New allstreet and conventional versions of the A3 hatchback have been revealed, which is now nearing a three-decade tenure.

Full release here.

Porsche Taycan Turbo GT

Still sticking with the Turbo branding, eh? Fair enough. Say hello to the Taycan Turbo GT and the Taycan Turbo GT with Weissach package. Both have a specially-designed front spoiler and adaptive rear spoiler, while the latter is built for the track and has no rear seats. Both have exclusive paint finishes and are the fastest Taycans yet. 

Full release here. 

An Epiq new addition

Skoda’s new electric compact SUV, the Epiq, has been previewed ahead of a 2025 launch, and is expected to retail at roughly €25,000. At 4.1 metres in length it is about the length of a Fabia, and showcases the brand’s latest Modern Solid design language. 

Full release here. 

Yanfeng’s new low-carbon seat concept

Much of a new vehicle comes from third-party suppliers – 70% is a commonly cited estimate – so it is worth keeping an eye on innovation at this level of the value chain. Yanfeng has developed a new sustainable seat – the Reco Seat – which is says “promises to redefine eco-friendly cabin solutions.” New and recycled materials are used from the upper foam to the steel frame below, supposedly reducing product carbon emissions by as much as 40% compared to conventional seating.

Full release here. 

New wood and aluminium surface alternatives

Stay with us on this. Continental has revealed two new products within its exteriors division, Conti mattex and Conti woodec, which are designed to clad the outside of buildings. While they are not explicitly designed for automotive, we wonder if there could be some potential use cases to consider. 

Full release here. 

An update at Mitsubishi?  

Hidden among a ream of other corporate filings, we noticed this design-related placement within Mitsubishi top management. Seiji Watanabe is listed as design division corporate officer, effective April 1 2024, although this will require further investigation as he appears to have held this position for a few years now. We’ll find out. (Update 18/03/24: Mitsubishi tells us this release simply reconfirms Watanabe’s position as a corporate officer in the design division.)

Full release here.