Meet the writer: Editor, James McLachlan

In this interview conducted by deputy editor and newshound Freddie Holmes, we meet helmsman and Austin Metro enthusiast James McLachlan. 

Car Design News: How long have you been editing CDN?

James McLachlan: Approaching four years. I was the pandemic editor, having taken over from Maxine Morland in the depths of lockdown. It was a strange time: no motor shows, events or much else going on. Even our rather lovely London office was closed. Thankfully, everyone was very welcoming, as was the industry. That was September 2020. 

CDN: What did you do before getting into car design?

JM: I’ve had a whirl at a few different things over the years. I worked in offshore finance, then took the totally logical and well-trodden path into stonemasonry. It wasn’t until 2008 that I tried my hand at journalism. In retrospect, I could not have picked a worse moment – I graduated amid the financial crash and jobs were as rare as rocking horse sh…well, you get the picture. I survived, somehow, and worked at the BBC for a while doing bits of radio and online stories. Things really got going for me when I started working for design publications. 

CDN: When did you become interested in cars?

JM: I was always interested in cars. As a child, I lost myself in the specs pages of What Car?, comparing 0-60 times, planning the cars I would buy when I was old enough to drive. I seem to remember an Opel Manta in fastback form featuring quite highly on my wishlist. It seemed attainable and yet had an air of sophistication the Ford Capri lacked. Plus, it had little windscreen wipers on its headlights.

After four years in the job, I still consider myself immensely privileged to report on the industry  

There were other favourites: I loved VW Sciroccos but had a softer spot for the less-fashionable second generation, rather than the admittedly better-looking Giugiaro original. I fulfilled a childhood dream when I drove one in 2023. Far less cool, a MG Metro Turbo. God help me.

CDN: What car did you idolise as a kid and what was your first car?

JM: The first series Porsche 928 was my Elysium; a one-litre Metro City X, my reality. 

CDN: What does a typical day/week look like as a car design journalist?

JM: I rise at noon before taking a late breakfast on the terrace. Kippers, normally. Then I fire up the XJ-S and pootle down to Mayfair to meet Bertie, Tuppy and Pongo for a game of backgammon at my club, followed by afternoon drinks at Spodes…

CDN: … 

JM: Sorry, lost myself for a moment there. It’s actually a real mixed bag. Contrary to how it was when I first arrived, there is a lot of travel involved. Car design is a truly global affair and you can definitely pick up on designer traits that owe their origin to location. There are clear national sensibilities, even if they don’t always manifest so clearly in the final aesthetic.  

Nevertheless, it is CDN’s job to highlight, examine and analyse the challenges and opportunities for car designers of all stripes. To that, my time is divided – not always equally – between strategy and future planning, commissioning and editing. Occasionally, I write. CDN is never quiet, it is a big industry to cover, but I am lucky to have a great teammate in Freddie “The Mailman” Holmes. That guy always delivers first class. 

JM: In my view, designers have high degrees of openness and curiosity, which makes them interesting people to be around. Also, they don’t always get the recognition they deserve, particularly if they are not yet at director level. This is what drove us to launch the CDN People Awards: to champion those on which the spotlight does not always shine. 

After four years in the job, I still consider myself immensely privileged to report on the industry. 

CDN: What is your ultimate design icon?

JM: There are so many beautiful and interesting things in the world, but if I had to pick one it would be Concorde. It embodied all the optimism and ambition of the Jet-Age and did it with such faultless elegance. Aviation has never been the same since it disappeared from the skies. Sad, we will never get to fly it, but I am still hoping supersonic flight will make a comeback.