Past, present, and future—art as an expression of design philosophy and a symbol of evolving creativity. These are the themes explored and celebrated by the installations and events presented by several car manufacturers during Milan Design Week, which once again drew large crowds to the city from April 7 to 13. From art exhibitions to multisensory experiences and new product reveals, design remained the undisputed star. Here are a few highlights:

Range Rover: when the past still inspires
Range Rover, now a flagship brand under the new JLR umbrella, created an installation in Piazza Belgioioso that celebrated the connection between past and future in a unique way. Two environments, created in collaboration with NUOVA, a Californian design studio, served as a backdrop for two cars representing the beginning and culmination of the Range Rover story. The common thread: color. In the first room—evoking the 1970s with immersive sensory elements such as lighting, background music, wood and Carrara marble furnishings, and Aeir-brand scents—the original pre-series Range Rover stood proudly in classic Olive Green. That same color, reinterpreted for today, was used on the 2025 Range Rover Autobiography in the second room, a more metaphysical setting featuring white columns and stones. Accompanying it: the Wet Stone fragrance and ambient melodies.

Kia: a journey into the human soul
In recent years, Kia has often explored themes such as multiculturalism, encapsulated in its current design philosophy “Opposites United.” The brand hosted a dual exhibition: one titled Transcend Journey at East End Studios on Via Mecenate, where it showcased the EV2 concept—previewing an upcoming electric B-SUV—and the adventurous WKNDR concept of the new PV5 electric utility vehicle, both introduced by design chief Karim Habib. The other, Opposites United: Eclipse of Perceptions, was housed in the Museo della Permanente and featured four artworks by Philippe Parreno and A.A. Murakami. Two of Murakami’s pieces, The Cave and Beyond The Horizon, offered particularly evocative experiences. The Cave featured still waters and red light with robotic arms moving through the scene—symbolizing the creative drive of the human soul—while Beyond The Horizon filled a dark wall with giant, floating bubbles.

Omoda 9: a growing personality
More pragmatic, without artistic ambitions but with a clear philosophy guiding its brand identity, Omoda revealed its latest model on Via Tortona. The brand, which entered Europe alongside sister marque Jaecoo under the Chinese giant Chery, introduced the Omoda 9—marking the next step in its fashion-forward, high-tech evolution beyond the pioneering Omoda 5. This large SUV represents a stylistic maturation, with less emphasis on the distinctive oversized grille of the Omoda 5, replaced by a more refined front end with luminous horizontal and vertical lines that convey an aristocratic yet reassuring presence. There’s more: proportions were defined using the golden ratio, and the aerodynamics were honed to optimize comfort and efficiency. Great care was also given to the onboard experience, not just through materials and design, but also with a tactile interface (including touch controls on the steering wheel), a 24.9” display, and a dedicated Sony sound system.

Zeekr: the meaning of connection
Zeekr, one of the most intriguing brands in the vast Geely portfolio—alongside Lotus and Volvo—also brought its vision of future mobility and sensory art to Design Week. Teaming up with Lotus and other fashion, furniture, and leather brands (Konzepthaus, Leonhard Kurz, Royal Smit & Zoon), Zeekr filled the Phid Hub on Via Tortona with talks and events. On the product side, the main attraction was the Mix, a futuristic and versatile electric MPV featuring pillarless “wardrobe” doors and rotating seats. First unveiled in Beijing in April 2024, the Mix is a digitally connected long-range vehicle designed to encourage interaction between passengers. This idea was also reflected in the exhibition The Art of Connection, which featured a dynamic dual installation of two walls with light compositions that responded to the visitor’s hand movements. Nearby, a 1:4 scale concept car created by a team of design students was on display—somewhere between a space shuttle and a racecar—along with full-scale items such as its steering wheel, a backpack, and a raincoat.

Mazda has accustomed us to choices that go against the tide, at times even courageous but always in keeping with its philosophy, and the new Mazda 6e, the subject of a Roman preview following the international one last January, is certainly part of this vision. For its first long-range electric model, in fact, the Hiroshima-based company has not opted for an SUV, a choice that would also be popular in this sector today, but has taken the opportunity to put one of its best-loved models, the Mazda6 saloon, back on the road.

The Mazda 6e is based on the Deepal L07, produced by Changan’s Chinese partners, but has been thoroughly customised by the parent company’s design centre in its lines and partly in its shape to take on the characteristic features of Kodo Design and become Mazda’s new top-of-the-range model.

The wheelbase remains unchanged at 2.90 meters, but the body has been extended beyond 4.90 meters (up from 4.88). While retaining the practical rear hatch, the design gains newfound dynamism and elegance, with cleaner lines and improved aerodynamic efficiency — helped in part by the newly designed wheels. Part sports sedan, part luxury car, the Mazda 6e doesn’t shy away from impactful details — all functional — such as flush door handles and a retractable rear spoiler. But it’s inside the cabin that Mazda’s philosophy truly comes to life, showcasing a refined sense of comfort and artisanal attention to detail.

The interior has been redesigned with inspiration from the Japanese concept of Ma, the deliberate use of empty space to bring harmony to shapes. This approach is evident in the dashboard and central tunnel, shaped as straight lines in space but separated by empty volumes. A solution rooted in tradition, yet open to innovation, for a model defined as “the most technologic Mazda of ever”.

Launched at the end of 2024 in its fully electric version and more recently in the range-extended variant—featuring a petrol engine acting as a generator—the Leapmotor C10 currently stands as the true ambassador of the Chinese brand that has entered the Italian and European markets through its partnership with Stellantis. While the other model in the lineup, the electric city car T03, may suggest a popular and accessible image, the C10 reveals a more refined identity. It features a clean and sophisticated design, clearly inspired by premium-market outsiders like Tesla, though with starting prices under 40.000 euros.

The shapes are regular and simple, with no pronounced sculpting along the sides or extremities. The front and rear feature a “mask-style” design, with slim horizontal lighting units connected by a dark trim at the front and a full-width light bar at the rear—both discreet enough to preserve the vehicle’s smooth, solid-looking surfaces.

Inside, however, the pursuit of high-tech luxury status is even more evident. The dashboard follows a straight, uninterrupted horizontal layout, dominated by two displays and a complete absence of physical controls—except for the stalks and a few buttons above the steering wheel. The soft-touch materials are well-finished, ranging from fabric to eco-leather and soft plastics with an appealing satin texture. Rear space is generous, thanks to the vehicle’s substantial length and wheelbase (4.74 and 2.83 metres respectively) and a flat floor free from obstructions, making the rear area both comfortable and airy, further enhanced by a large panoramic roof.

Driving is a relaxing experience, although the brand’s strong emphasis on digital innovation sometimes comes at the expense of usability. Certain basic controls—such as side mirror adjustment—must be accessed through the central touchscreen menu, which is less immediate than more traditional solutions.

The Jaecoo brand, created by Chery and introduced to Europe alongside Omoda, aims to embody an elegant yet practical spirit to establish itself in the market, striking a balance between “luxury” and “adventure.” The debut model, the compact SUV Jaecoo 7, effectively conveys this concept, partly thanks to an inspiration that is not too subtly drawn from one of Europe’s best-selling brands, Land Rover, to which it pays more than a passing homage in its exterior design. The second variant, the plug-in hybrid SHS (Super Hybrid System), shifts the balance toward a less adventurous and more efficiency-focused dimension.

This is not just theory, as the onboard technology promises a range of around 1,200 km and an intelligent use of the electric powertrain. To emphasize this orientation, the vehicle also presents aesthetic differences, particularly inside: the central tunnel is completely free of controls, while the gear selector has been moved to a lever behind the steering wheel, and the driving mode selector is now positioned on the control panel in front of the central armrest.

The door panels have also been redesigned: while other versions feature surfaces and designs that evoke the off-road world, here they adopt a more urban and welcoming appearance.

The car’s high-tech approach is reflected in a minimalism inspired by Tesla’s essential design philosophy: the window switches, devoid of labels, function in reverse compared to conventional setups, while many other functions, such as mirror adjustments, are controlled via the steering wheel buttons, with corresponding indications appearing on the 14,8” central display. Externally, the Jaecoo 7 SHS stands out for the aerodynamic design of its wheels and a stripe along the sides that echoes the internal lighting signature of the headlights—but little else.

A model that once served as the cornerstone of a significant revolution—like the Opel Mokka—can hardly be completely transformed by a mere mid-life facelift imposed more by market trends than by genuine necessity, and indeed, that is the case. The current Mokka, an agile and attractive B-SUV, is not only one of Opel’s most successful models but also the car that inaugurated the new stylistic direction of the German automaker shortly after its integration into PSA. In 2018, Opel introduced the Opel GT X Experimental concept car, which illustrated the traits of its new brand identity by introducing concepts such as “Detox” and “Greenovation,” distinctive features like the “Vizor” grille, and a new interpretation of what it means to be “German.” These innovations were soon integrated into the new Mokka and gradually extended to all other models, up to the new Grandland, which updated these characteristics by enhancing the technology level without radical changes.

Now, the design returns to origins with only minor modifications: Mokka change the bumper lines and receives a new logo in the Vizor, and the luminous signature, updated into LED segments, has been slightly altered. Little else changes in terms of the overall lines, which are further enhanced by the option of a black roof that on the GS version can be paired with an identical hood finish. Inside, several additional innovations have been introduced. Both the digital cockpit and the central display, each measuring 10 inches, have been updated with the new Snapdragon digital platforms from Qualcomm, and a voice assistant powered by ChatGPT has been integrated. The quest for essentialism is reflected in the central console’s buttons, which have been reduced in both size and number to enhance visual cleanliness. The steering wheel has been completely redesigned. It now features a flattened shape at the edges along with new buttons. Also the rear camera is upgraded: now offers an expanded 180° field of view.

Finally, there are only slight differences among the various powertrain options: the Mokka continues to be offered with two gasoline engines, one of which with an automatic transmission, introduces a 136 CV hybrid variant, and confirms the electric version equipped with a 54 kWh battery. With the exception of the gasoline engine with a manual transmission, all versions share the same control system, featuring a selector integrated into the central tunnel.

Marcello Gandini at a glance

The most significant tribute to Marcello Gandini following his passing in March 2024 does not come in the form of an expanded work but, rather, as a revised and… condensed reedition. Renowned automotive journalist Gautam Sen has revisited the most comprehensive book ever dedicated to the legendary designer—originally published in 2016 as a two-volume set of 400 pages each—and reissued it in a slightly reduced format. “Slightly”, because the book is composed over 600 pages and features more than 1,000 photographs and drawings, ensuring that the vastness and significance of Gandini’s work are properly celebrated.

A quick glance at the index is enough to understand the book’s quality: four pages listing nearly 150 chapters that, following a series of brief forewords, meticulously document every vehicle—cars, concepts, motorcycles, and other projects—created, developed, or even just envisioned by the Maestro.
His durable role at Bertone is extensively covered, beginning with the 1966 Porsche 911 Roadster proposal and extending into the 1980s with the Citroën BX and Alfa Romeo 90. Along the way, readers will encounter milestones such as the Lancia Stratos Zero, the Fiat X1/9, the Dino 308 GT4, and, of course, every Lamborghini production model, and major concept, from the Miura to the Diablo.
The book then moves into Gandini’s Renault period, highlighted by the Supercinque and the groundbreaking AE Magnum truck, before delving into his extense work from 1987 to 2011

Accompanying the text are around 900 photographs – 700 of them in color – and about 100 original drawings and sketches, carefully selected from archives that, at the time of the book’s first publication in 2016, were largely unpublished. For those who missed out on the original limited-edition box set – some copies of which were even personally signed by the author and by Gandini himself – this reedition offers a fantastic second chance to own a definitive tribute to one of the greatest minds in automotive design.

Flippable preview of the volume here.

Datasheet
Marcello Gandini, Maestro of Design – Revisited
Publisher: Dalton Watson Fine Book
Author: Gautam Sen
Size: bound volume measuring 22 x 31 x 4 cm with hard cover
Pages: 625
Text: English
Photographs: 700 in color and 200 in b/w
Price: 170 euros

Who said that the design of an accessible product must be “compromised”? Citroën, always synonymous with originality and innovation, proves the opposite with the C3 Aircross, the latest addition to its lineup, a vehicle that maintains a strong and distinctive identity. At 4.4 meters long, with the option of seven seats (in non-electric versions), the C3 Aircross shares its platform with the Opel Frontera but sets itself apart in character. The front end draws inspiration from the Oli concept car, featuring the new stylized logo, C-shaped LED headlights, and a vertically oriented grille adorned with a satin-finish trim that enhances its SUV identity.

Boris Reinmöller, the model’s design head, highlights its greater solidity compared to the softer shapes of the previous C3 Aircross, along with an increased ground clearance of 20 cm. This feature is facilitated by the Smart Car platform, designed for global models, including emerging markets. In fact, the C3 Aircross, albeit with a slightly different design, has already been on sale in South America and India for over a year

The side profile, though appearing simple, is enhanced by the way light interacts with the bodywork, particularly in lighter or brighter color schemes. At the rear, the design is minimalist: the tailgate is monolithic, without the horizontal elements that visually separate the taillights on the Frontera. Here, the taillights remain compact and essential.

Simplicity is also the guiding principle of the interior. While the Frontera features a large dual display, the C3 Aircross opts for a single central screen (starting from the You Pack Plus trim level) and a Citroën Head-Up Display, a discreet digital screen integrated into the upper section of instrument panel. The dashboard incorporates a central fabric-covered section, mirroring the finishes found on the door panels and armrests. The rigid plastics blend well, and the air vents add an elegant touch.

With the launch of the C3 Aircross, Citroën has also updated the C4 and C4X compact models, primarily refreshing the front end with a new headlight design and a grille aligned with the brand’s updated styling.

A Porsche for Every Year of Porsche

Seventy-five cars may seem like a staggering number for a “specialized” manufacturer like Porsche, yet when you consider that the brand’s history now spans three-quarters of a century, it averages out to just one per year. That doesn’t mean the task was easy for automotive journalist and historian Alvise Marco Seno, who took on the challenge of selecting the most representative models from this long and storied period.

The extensive lineup includes all the most significant models, from the legendary mid-engine 356 No.1 to the all-electric Taycan. For the most iconic nameplates, the book covers all the key generations and evolutions of the 356 and 911, the various 924/944/968 series, grand tourers like the 928, the Boxster and Cayman, SUVs, and sedans from the modern era, along with many special models.

Somewhere between a historical account and a curated catalog, this volume also explores the evolution of Porsche’s design language and individual models, featuring concise technical data sheets and a selection of original sketches interspersed among nearly 500 color photographs and more than 70 black-and-white images.

All the cars featured in the book are road-going models, though there are plenty of references and images of their racing derivatives, as well as supercars that were essentially race cars adapted for the road – like the 917 and the various GT2, GT3, and RS models, which are often significant for their design innovations as well.

Concept cars are totally absent, with a single exception of the 2023 Mission X unveiled by Porsche to mark its anniversary and included as a true incarnation of the brand’s future – coincidentally, around the same time the book went to print.

More information here.

Datasheet
Porsche 75 – Settantacinque vetture che hanno fatto la storia
Publisher: Giorgio Nada
Author: Alvise Marco Seno
Size: bound volume measuring 26 x 28,5 x 3 cm with hard cover
Pages: 288
Text: Italian
Photographs: 489 in color and 73 in b/w
Price: 60 euros

Forty-six, fifty-one, sixty-three: behind these three numbers are the “coordinates” of Porsche’s official debut in racing, the beginning of an adventure made up of successes, victories and records won in almost every automotive discipline. To the protagonist of that historic moment, a 356 that came first of sports cars up to 1.1 liters, at the 1951 edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, is dedicated the volume “46: The Birth of Porsche Motorsport” published by Dalton Watson and signed by a set of experts, historians and photographers. The number recalled in the title is a race ID, the other two indicate respectively the year and the chassis number of that car, which was also able to emerge at the Liège-Rome-Liège rally and the Monthléry Salon cup before setting sail for America from which it returned only a few years ago to take its place at the Porsche museum after careful restoration.

The book celebrates not only the history of this car, but also its contribution to starting Porsche’s sporting era and its role of inspiration for the design of endurance racing cars. Great care was taken to make it more aerodynamic, replacing some windows with louvers and fairing the wheel as well. Three of the first five chapters concerning the car’s conception, construction, and development, concluding with a chronicle of the races, while the three of the second parts runs through that the American experience. Finding, restoring and returning to the scene are covered in the final five chapters followed by an additional 36 pages of appendices with bibliography and references of the more than 500 photographs in the work, some of which are unpublished as are many of the original documents reproduced.

Flippable preview of the volume here.

Datasheet

Forty Six: The Birth of Porsche Motorsport
Publisher: Dalton Watson Fine Book
Author: Randy Leffingwell, Doug Nye, Sean Cridland
Size: bound volume measuring 29 x 25,4 x 3,1 cm with hard cover
Pages: 336
Text: English
Photographs: 500 in color and b/w
Price: 155 euros

To give an adequate space to a vast and fascinating theme such as the one that unites car design and figurative art, a million pages would not be enough, even if we limited to the American school: for this reason, the 324 pages of the first volume “Imagine!” created a few years ago by the Californian Patrick G. Kelley had to have a sequel. The new work, even more weighty with its 456 pages, titled “Imagine too! – Towards the future”, resumes the same period, the one that goes from the 1930s, in which automotive design literally exploded, up to the first post-war decades, incredibly prolific in terms of concept cars and always of great suggestion and inspiration for artists and designers of every era.

The volume, enriched by the preface by Ed Welburn, Vice General Motors President of Global Design, contains more than 700 images, of which over 600 are completely never-seen, from about sixty artists, preceded by a dutiful excursus of about 50 pages on the most beautiful and famous american concept cars of the period. In the following pages there are 130 imagined vehicles represented by the artists’ drawings and works, including a large number of concepts never shown before, which makes this publication another precious treasure chest. Alongside bizarre and imaginative projections on the vehicles of the future, there are also more rational projects and contributions from universities and design schools. The work ends with a beautiful photo collection of maquettes, sculptures, toys and scale models, commercial and artisanal, key rings and various memorabilia.

Flippable preview of the volume here.

Datasheet
“Imagine too! – Towards the future”
Publisher: Dalton Watson Fine Book
Author: Patrick G. Kelley
Size: bound volume measuring 21,9 x 29 x 3,5 cm with hard cover
Pages: 456
Text: English
Photographs: 710 in color and b/w
Price: 150 euros