The award-winning Fortis Spaceleader Chronograph by Volkswagen Design

Noah Joseph — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 07:21:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Volkswagen, Design/Style

Fortis Spaceleader Chronograph by Volkswagen Design - Click above for high-res image

You might figure that, with Porsche now under the Volkswagen umbrella, we'd see fewer overlaps in the group's expansive product portfolio. But remember, this is the auto giant that brought out the Phaeton to compete with its own Audi sedans, and the Audi R8 to battle its own Lamborghinis, to name just a couple of overlapping examples. So perhaps it should come as little surprise that Volkswagen is delving into Porsche Design territory with a wristwatch of its own.

The Fortis Spaceleader Chronograph by Volkswagen Design is already bringing in design awards aplenty, including the prestigious iF product design award, Red Dot design award and the Good Design award. The VW stylists redesigned the case of the classic chrono, wrapping it in tactile rubber that melds from the bezel to the strap, affixed by a butterfly clasp. Looks like a pretty slick timepiece to our eye, so it's a shame only 2,012 units will be produced. Details in the press release after the jump.

[Source: Volkswagen]

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More details on VW's design renaissance

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 07:57:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Volkswagen

It seems Volkswagen has breathed a collective "Oops!", and is now working to turn its design ship around. VW was known for neat, differentiated designs with great interior details. While this stayed true in some parts of the world, in the U.S., Volkswagen design turned into chrome shield grilles fronting identical bodies in various sizes.

When Martin Winterkorn was lured back from academia, "he looked at Volkswagen's upcoming designs and binned the lot." Audi's design chief was brought in. VW started over on the Golf, which will be coming out later this year. The Polo redesign was taken up again from scratch. The Up! "was not fully thought through as a concept," and is getting a workover.

VW's new language is said to be about "simplicity," "a confident identity," "crisply-detailed functionality," and cars that aren't "over-designed." The chrome shield is gone (thank goodness) and headlights that wrap around to the front wheel arches have also been sent packing, "because that's not what a headlight is for." Stay tuned for more horizontals, as seen on the Scirocco -- and here (so much for no more chrome) -- and hopefully a slew of compelling shapes.

[Source: Evo]

More details on VW's design renaissance originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 Jul 2008 07:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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