Autoblog

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Whenever car design students tackle a project with as little direction as designing a "future eco-friendly automobile," you know that the designs will bear little resemblance to what's currently available. Still, when it's students from the Royal College of Art we're talking about, we should take note. After all, this is the same school that graduated the likes of Peter Horbury, Ian Callum, Martin Smith from Ford of Europe, Aston Martin's design director Marek Reichman and Peter Schreyer, Kia's current design head and the man behind the iconic shape of Audi's original TT.

The winner of the 2008 Pilkington Automotive Vehicle Design award was Pierre Sabas with his Airflow concept (shown above). Although the looks of the vehicle, with its entire exterior made from glass, are pretty far fetched, the in-wheel electric motors specified by the designer may have a future as many automakers are already exploring this idea for production. In contrast, Arturo Peralta Nogueras's concept uses non-existent "solid hologram technology" for the exterior along with an interior that evolves with its surroundings. We're sure that one's coming right around the corner. Thanks for the tip, Mike!


[Sources: Inhabitat, Wallpaper.com]

"We have been working with Apple on control interfaces."

That's a direct quote from, not Martin Winterkorn at Volkswagen, but Ian Callum, the design director for Jaguar, as quoted by CAR magazine. Callum says Jaguar's new XF's start button "starts to pulsate" when the driver gets into the car. Once running, the car's hidden air vents "rise up" and the JaguarDrive Selector pops up from the console. Actual buttons are kept to a min.

Sounds all very high-tech and somewhat Apple-like. The pulsating start button is very reminiscent of Apple computers' power indicator lights.

So now we have Apple confirmed to be working with Jaguar and rumored to be working with Volkswagen and Mercedes. Another item of interest we came across in researching this post is a Macrumors story which says it heard about the CAR interview with Callum from Macrumors reader -- get this -- Chris Bangle. Could it be? Nah.

Thanks for the tip, Chris!

[Source: CAR Magazine via Macrumors]

Say what you will about the Jaguar X-Type wagon, shooting brake, you know it's a Jag when you see it. The same goes for the XJ, which was totally redesigned yet still retains its identity as an XJ and nothing else. In fact, the entire Jaguar line has a nice family look about it. The man responsible for the Jaguar design language, Ian Callum, has been awarded the highest honor the UK can muster for designers, the Royal Designers for Industry award. The honor is given to recognize designers who have "achieved sustained excellence in aesthetic and efficient design for industry." In a nutshell, we think what they're trying to say is that since taking the design reins at Jaguar in '99, Ian Callum has made Jaguars look great without resorting to excess frippery. Callum also has had a hand in shaping various Aston Martin, Ford, TWR and Ghia vehicles throughout his career. With the debut of the new XK coupe, it looks like there'll be no shortage of gorgeous Jaguars for us to drool over anytime soon.

The full press release can be found after the jump.

[Source: Jaguar]