April: Beijing, beer leather and Bentleys

CMF innovation, global auto shows and the future of car design take centre stage in this month’s Car Design News in Review. The team discusses playful materials and sustainable finishes, then dives into highlights from the Beijing Auto Show and Milan Design Week, from standout concepts and immersive installations to shifting design trends in China and Europe. Also featured: major industry people moves, profile insights, and key cars including Kia EV4, Honda Super N and Rolls-Royce Project Nightingale. Plus, what’s coming up in lighting, education and design events. Subscribers can access all content flagged during this episode, including: The design VP’s intriguing hippie backstory. AMC Gremlin features https://www.cardesignnews.com/designers/bryan-nesbitt-between-soul-and-system/2638466 Materials quiz – beer leather anyone? https://www.cardesignnews.com/cmf/top-colour-amp-trim-trends/2647218 Doh! Skoda’s colourful Milan installation https://www.cardesignnews.com/cars/skodas-playdoh-inspired-installation-at-milan-design-week/2654000 Freelander returns and this time it’s a brand https://www.cardesignnews.com/cars/freelander-reborn-incredibly-in-2026/2653676 Audi lands a UFO in Milan https://www.cardesignnews.com/cars/audi-lands-a-ufo-at-porto-venezia/2652751 Honesty in materials with Halycon https://www.cardesignnews.com/cmf/halcyons-craftled-approach-to-personalised-restomods/2652449 Gilles Vidal wants icons https://www.cardesignnews.com/designers/gilles-vidal-on-the-future-of-stellantis-european-brands-we-need-to-deliver-iconic-products/2646963 Jazz Age vibes from Rolls-Royce coachbuilt Project Nightingale https://www.cardesignnews.com/cars/rollsroyce-reveals-design-of-project-nightingale/2646804 Kia’s polarising (but cool) EV4 Fastback https://www.cardesignnews.com/cars/design-driven-kia-ev4-fastback-vs-hatchback/2640134  Kemal Curic takes the reigns at McLaren https://www.cardesignnews.com/designers/exclusive-kemal-curic-to-head-up-mclaren-automotive-design/2638963