Auto Design

 Jerome Gallix resign from Peugeot.

According to an official press release, Jerome Gallix has resigned from his position as head of design of Peugeot Automobiles. He was appointed to the top of Peugeot’s design organisation one year ago, when Gerard Welter who has led the department since the late 70ies retired.  Reportedly Jerome Gallix is leaving the group “to pursue a personal project”, today, September 30 2008.

Actually the PSA Peugeot Citroën Group press-release has been issued to inform that « Jean-Pierre Ploué, Citroën Styling Director since 2000, has been appointed Director of Styling for the entire PSA Peugeot Citroën Group effective October 1. In this capacity, he will lead all of the Peugeot and Citroën styling teams, which have been consolidated at the Group’s Automotive Design Network facility in Vélizy since 2004.»

Ploué, who has successfully led the Citroën styling renaissance over the past eight years, will manage the ADN, a center of automotive creativity with two dedicated Peugeot and Citroën styling teams. This combined Peugeot and Citroën design center provides effective support for the Group’s commitment to strengthening and differentiating the two brands’ styling universes, a process that was initiated by Chairman Christian Streiff as part of the dynamic of the CAP 2010 program.

In his new position, Ploué will report to Grégoire Olivier, Member of theManaging Board and Executive Vice President, Programs.

 Famous Italian coach builder Zagato has announced today a strategic alliance with the Indian group of companies “Autoline Industries Ltd.  The alliance is concrete and solid with Autoline taking a “strategic” 49% stake in the Italian company through a capital increase. The Zagato family retains a 51% stake. The parties have not unveiled the amount invested by Autoline into Zagato capital. Autoline has an option to increase its stake and eventually take a majority stake. At this time there is no plan to introduce any changes in the Zagato Centrostile (this is the official name of the company) management.

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There is no doubt that the design of the Bentley Continental GT is a masterpiece, inside and out; and you would expect that everybody would be just happy with it. Actually, since its launch, the British brand is a striking success and sales are much better than anticipated.

Yet, Zagato – which are through their stimulating renaissance just like Bentley – has been able to give this very fast (600 HP turbocharged W12 engined) four-seater, two-door coupé a new personality, with a more emotional and indulgent style by simply re-shaping its skin. The car is more sensual now and yet its style is shaper, sophisticated and distinguished. It has the perfect style of a bespoke – tailor made – motorcar. Read the rest of this entry »

David Wilkie has left, or – to be more accurate – is progressively leaving Stile Bertone to join past school-mate and famous designer Murat Gunak at the Swiss based “Mindset AG”. David is already very active at Mindset where an innovative and attractive electric car is under development. In a telephone interview David said he was very attracted by the project and the people of Mindset and decided to challenge himself because “I wanted to be more of a “hands 0m” designer than a design manager”. However, David Wilkie has not left entirely Stile Bertone. Read the rest of this entry »

Not to be missed.

Never before I have seen so many dream and concept cars in the same place ad the same time. This unique opportunity is offered by Torino 2008 World Design Capital and you must visit it before it closes on November 23.

For all details and a comprehensive introduction, go to http://www.torinoworlddesigncapital.it/portale/en/content_1.php?sezioneID=291&testoCompleto=1

Beware and please do not shoot the messenger: strangely enough, the exhibition closes at 6.20 p.m.

You also should not miss to get a copy of the Exhibition Catalogue currently on sale only in Italian but soon to be available also in English. Read the rest of this entry »

According to inside sources at Maranello, Jason Castriota, the most talented designers of Ferraris and Supercars in recent years, is leaving Pininfarina. The American-born Italian designer could not be reached so far but Pininfarina’s press officer, Daniele Cornil, did not deny the report, simply answering “no comment” to our request for confirmation. However, Cornil added “we will not make any comments before our press conference at the Paris Motor Show on October 2nd”.

The designers’ circle in Turin is excited about the rumours and everybody is wondering what Castriota is going to do. Whether he is going to join another company or will set up his own design consultancy. Read the rest of this entry »

Mercedes-Benz has celebrated the retirement of Prof. Peter Pfeiffer with a brilliant farewell party at the “dome-hall” of the company design centre in Sindelfingen.

Prof. Pfeiffer has spent 40 years within the Mercedes-Benz design organisation and took its leadership in 1999, when his mentor, Mr. Bruno Sacco retired.

Much like most large corporations in Germany, Daimler Group’s rule mandate retirement of its executive when they reach the age of 65.

With the Ceo  of the Daimler Group, Dieter Zetsche, and Thomas Weber, Daimler member of the board, responsible for research and development, some 300 colleagues from within the Daimler Group and the industry at large – such as Bruno Sacco, Christofer Bangle, Michael Mauer and Murat Gunak – celebrated Prof. Pfeiffer and his successor Gorden Wagener.

More news from the even here, hopefully in few days.

Click on the image for the Photo memory book.

It has been long coming but now it is official: after the Mini Clubman, we are going to be able to invest our money in a new MINI that comes with the stance of a miniature SUV and the convenience of an additional door. At this time it is called Crossover Concept but it will get a proper name when its production derivative reach the dealers’ show-rooms in the second quarter 0f 2010.

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Long before the launch of the Fiat 500, in Turin and the remaining part of the Italian car enthusiasts’ world, the idea of customize one of the new “small baby” with the most distinctive and possibly convincing “individual” touches has stimulated all sort of fantasies and projects. Maria Paola Stola, the wife of well-known “creative entrepreneur” and founder of Studiotorino, Alfredo Stola were among the first one to say “I want to design my own 500″.

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First written for Car Styling, Issue 173 (Tokyo, July 2006)

* Stories and cars from recent past you may like to read and see again.

LINEA PININFARINA.

Ten years after the front-engined Ferrari 550 Maranello replaced the mid-engined heirs of the mythical Testarossa in the upper, 12 cylinder, Ferrari class, the new 599 GTB Fiorano writes a new chapter in the history of Ferrari and of Supercar.  It is longer, higher, a lot more comfortable and yet it is lighter and dramatically faster around bends (and on straight lines). Even more relevant is the fact that, despite its dimensions, the 599 GTB looks more compact and nimble. (more on the car itself)

The fantastic performance of Ferrari technology called for a design capable of communicating the potential and of contributing to it, through aerodynamics, efficiency and the aesthetic harmony combining Ferrari power with Pininfarina elegance. Read the rest of this entry »