NYT > Automobile Design

Looking Back While Looking Ahead

Sun, 05 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500

The craze for design that echoes nostalgic favorites -- such as the BMW-made Mini and Fiat's new 500 -- has roots in the Industrial Age, when designers tried to evoke comforting echoes of the handmade.

Out of the Melting Pot and Into a Global Market

Sun, 15 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500

(image) The freshest American cars at the Detroit show reflected the melding of design influences from around the world, resulting in a more sophisticated approach that could be called American Global.

Designer of Piaggio Vespa Is Honored by Former Employer

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Corradino D'Ascanio is the subject of a new exhibition at the Museo Piaggio in Tuscany.

Saab’s New Visionary Hopes for Salvation

Fri, 14 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400

(image) With a pedigree chock-full of legendary cars, the designer Jason Castriota is hoping to begin a new era at the struggling carmaker.

In Los Angeles, the Avanti as a California Start-Up Story

Fri, 30 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400

The coupe, designed by Raymond Loewy for Studebaker, is featured in a new exhibition in Los Angeles.

Chuck Jordan, Automotive Futurist, Remembered at Concours

Tue, 02 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400

The late General Motors designer was honored with a display of his designs and a gathering of former colleagues.

Some Handles Hide; Others Make a Grand Entrance

Sun, 03 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400

(image) Automakers have been designing door handles to appear almost invisible on some of their cars, including the McLaren MP4-12C, Nissan Juke and CTS-V.

Mazda Designers Abandon Nagare, Embrace Kodo

Sun, 22 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400

(image) Although the Mazda 2 came out a few years ago, it anticipates some of the abstract themes at the center of the company’s new design language called Kodo.

From the Pen of a Giant of Industrial Design

Sun, 15 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400

(image) Brooks Stevens designed a broad range of products, like the common clothes iron, but the cars he created are still recognized as fresh and distinctive departures.

Designing Good Sequel Is an Exercise in Restraint

Sun, 08 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400

(image) Producing a sequel to a star car, like the Mercedes-Benz CLS, is a formidable task for a designer, but updating already updated cars may be the hardest task of all.

Wedges of Influence From Bertone

Sun, 01 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400

(image) Six Bertone concept cars are going up for sale in May, including five shaped like wedges. The cars are reminders of a design period when futuristic cars inspired a generation.

New York Auto Show: The Small Car as a Petit Four

Sun, 24 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0400

(image) With rising gasoline prices and looming fuel-economy standards, the auto industry realizes that sales of subcompact cars will increase and are paying more attention to how they look.

Nissan’s Cartoon Pike Cars, Once So Hip

Sun, 20 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0400

(image) Nissan once made very small cars for young Japanese. The cars were Hello Kitty cute and influenced by French design from the 1950s.

For Cars Big or Small, It’s All About the Design

Thu, 03 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0500

(image) Carmakers are striving to make compact cars cool enough to command a premium price.

Exploring Space From Inside Out

Sun, 16 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500

(image) The creators of notable designs at this year’s Detroit auto show seemed determined to offer more space within less length.

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