Auto Design

By Giancarlo Perini ©

In the clear light of Cape Town’s wharf, the all-new BMW 650i Cabriolet proudly shows its beauty and style. The latest generation of open-air luxury on wheels is longer, lower and wider but with its soft and rounded shapes it looks more compact, light and agile. Read the rest of this entry »

by Giancarlo Perini (c)

The past week-end Fiat has announced it will unveil the first addition to its product range sourced from Chrysler. It is a crossover to be called Freemont and indeed a rebadge, and very slightly modified, 2011 Dodge Journey. Read the rest of this entry »

by Giancarlo Perini (c)

According to unofficial sources, Italdesign is set to unveil two show cars at the forthcoming Geneva Motor Show early next March. They will be the first ones to be designed by Maestro Giorgetto Giugiaro after the company, he established in 1968, has been acquired by the Volkswagen Group, last May.

A glimpse at one of the two “product concepts” is said to be previewed, very discreetly, by the company with the Christmas memento sent to a limited number of friends, clients and journalists. This is indeed the reproduction of a sketch penned by the Maestro that shows the exterior design of an attractive two-doors, four-seater coupé that could well be regarded as the 2011 Scirocco by Giugiaro. The difference here is that the “new coupe” bear the emblem of Seat.

The Spanish brand is currently the weakest member of the VW family and as such the one that needs the greatest and most urgent attention by the Group. It only makes sense that Giugiaro talent and attention goes to Seat.

Some years ago, VW’s supremo Ferdinand Piëch said that Seat’s mission was to challenge and beat Alfa Romeo on its own ground. The mission is far to be accomplished despite its success in the World Touring Car Championship .Now, while Fiat is keeping Volkswagen “on hold” for the acquisition of Alfa Romeo, the German group wants to look again at the potential of the Seat brand and see what can be done, should the Alfa Romeo deal take too long a time. As such it is also a discreet message to Sergio Marchionne.

The second show-car from Giorgetto Giugiaro to be seen in Geneva is rumoured to be a new hatchback that could well be  the “2011 vision of a Golf” by Giugiaro.

by Giancarlo Perini.

Yesterday, un Maranello, Ferrari has announced that its Scaglietti 612 replacement will be unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show on March 1st. First pictures and written statements from the Italian supercar maker confirm our previous report (http://autodesign.socialblog.us/2011/01/12/new-ferrari-in-geneva-architecture-by-giugiaro-design-by-pininfarina/).  Read the rest of this entry »

First test drives of the beautiful 2011 BMW 650i cabriolet are going on in South Africa. You may have a look at our photo gallery now and come back from a report from Cape Town within a day or two.

Photo Gallery BMW 2011 650i Cabriolet

by Giancarlo Perini.

After “inventing” the convertible-coupé for their first generation SLK, first launched in 1996, Mercedes-Benz is keen to maintain their leadership in the speciality and further develop the “air and light” unique atmosphere inside their cosy Roadster. The third generation is being launched this year. With orders collected starting January 17^th. In Germany the starting price is € 38,675.00 for the SLK 200 BlueEFFICIENCY (€ 44,256.10 for the SLK 250 BlueEFFICIENCY).  Although not cheap the new Mercedes-Benz SLK is probably the most affordable convertible-coupé of this class. Read the rest of this entry »

Architecture by Giugiaro. Design by Pininfarina.

By Giancarlo Perini ©

Ferrari GG 50 by Giugiaro.

The replacement for the Ferrari 612 Scaglietti, expected to premiere early next March at the Geneva Motor Show, will certainly break new ground on different fronts, according to well placed sources. Read the rest of this entry »

I think it is time for Sergio Marchionne to present a gift to Italy, to his shareholders and to himself: sell Alfa Romeo to Volkswagen as soon as possible. At the best possible price, sure but without wasting time.

By selling now SM will avoid the embarrassment of missing to deliver what he has announced: sell half a million Alfa Romeo by 2015. There is no way he can do it, unless he is thinking of a range of Chrysler derivatives that would carry the Alfa Romeo shield but would be rebadged Chrysler. This can work for Lancia. Not for Alfa Romeo. Read the rest of this entry »

Reports published in Modena by the local newspaper suggest that Fiat Spa has plans to dramatically increase output of its Maserati brand raising annual volume to some 50 thousand units with the launch of new rear wheel driven models sharing platform with the new Chrysler 300 and a derivative Alfa Romeo model. Read the rest of this entry »

By Giancarlo Perini ©

The rush to conquer best design talents is faster and faster.

With the aesthetic appeal emerging as a key selling point for any new cars in a market that is becoming more and more sophisticated top brands compete also in the market of human resources. BMW is recovering one of “his own” stars that two years ago deserted to Mercedes-Benz. Read the rest of this entry »