Sitting Down With Mitja Borkert, Head of Centro Stile Lamborghini

I had the great fortune of spending time with Mitja Borkert, head of Centro Stile Lamborghini, on his home turf inside the Centro Stile presentation hall. We spoke about the brand new Huracán Sterrato, the Terzo Millennio, inspiration, future designs and the importance of hand sketching. Enjoy the video! Continue reading “Sitting Down With Mitja Borkert, Head of Centro Stile Lamborghini”

Enjoying MR’s Lamborghini Terzo Millennio Scale Model

I remember it vividly; it was a sparkling red Lamborghini Countach scale model and I was ten years old, and all I wanted in this world at that very moment was that very model car. This is my earliest memory of what has become a rather pronounced interest for cars, and a good scale model car still gives me lots of enjoyment. Thus, I was thrilled to find the new 1:18 Lamborghini Terzo Millennio finished on my last visit to MR Collection Models. Since the Terzo Millennio was never meant for production and doesn’t have an interior, this scale model offers a unique insight into Lamborghini’s design ideas. Continue reading “Enjoying MR’s Lamborghini Terzo Millennio Scale Model”

The Fabulous World of Marcello Gandini at the Museo Nazionale dell’Automobile in Turin

Marcello Gandini, who celebrated his 80th birthday last fall, has made one of the most significant impacts on car design during his more than 60 years long quest for the best design, be it for extreme super cars or for practical city cars. Oh, and he has drawn helicopters, trucks, sake glasses and a villa too, so it would be fair to say that he thinks outside the box. Continue reading “The Fabulous World of Marcello Gandini at the Museo Nazionale dell’Automobile in Turin”

Aston Martin Vantage – Sports Car With a View

In the series of enticing cars, Aston Martin last year reached the facelift of the Vantage, and there was no shortage of curves or sportiness. However, did they go one too far on that iconic grille shape? Go big or go home, the Americans say, but could this work in the English tradition? The answer is to be found, as so many times before, in the right half of the brain of the beholder. I was genuinely looking forward to trying out the new Vantage, although I wasn’t convinced that the design was my cup of tea, as I arrived in Geneva to borrow the keys to a deep red specimen for a week. Continue reading “Aston Martin Vantage – Sports Car With a View”

Jaguar I-PACE – a Great Way of Getting Around, Electrically Speaking

First things first: The Jaguar I-PACE looks like no other car. It appears massive and long, yet agile and elegant. I spent a weekend with it, covering more than 1,000 km in this all new, all electric feline. Having seen it from all angles, its design still catches me off guard, and I think I like that. Oh, and the I-PACE is simply great to be on the road in. There is however one big let-down in this story. Continue reading “Jaguar I-PACE – a Great Way of Getting Around, Electrically Speaking”

ATS, You Say?

Lago Maggiore, sun and a light breeze. The Italian spring offers 17 most welcome degrees. I find myself behind the wheel of the ATS GT – the only one of its kind – being the first motoring writer driving it. Just an hour earlier I was warmly welcomed by Daniele Maritan, the man behind the second act in the history of ATS. Continue reading “ATS, You Say?”

It was a Bertone Kind of Day

The name Bertone has a certain familiar ring to it in the car design world, with a history spanning more than 100 years. All time greats such as Lamborghini Miura and Countach, Lancia Stratos and Alfa Romeo Giulia SS were born at Bertone, and a large number of concept cars and production cars alike were created there over the years. Sadly, the original Bertone family company came to a halt in 2012, and their collection had to be sold. Some special cars were sold separately, but the large bulk of the collection was sold as one, and it is now possible to see this collection at the Volandia museum near Malpensa airport outside Milan. Oh, and Bertone has been revived – more about that further down. Continue reading “It was a Bertone Kind of Day”

A Visit to ItalDesign

I’ll show you a few things before Filippo arrives“, head of PR Umberto told me as he welcomed me to ItalDesign. Filippo Perini, head of design at ItalDesign and formerly head of Centro Stile Lamborghini, had just called me to say he would be running a bit late. No worries, though, because Umberto had his sleeves brimming with aces. Continue reading “A Visit to ItalDesign”

A Taste of Frankfurt, Automotively Speaking

The IAA (Internationale Automobil-Ausstellung) in Frankfurt is a major happening, especially in the European car scene, and big European brands very often show their finest silver here first. Speaking of silver, Mercedes-AMG’s much anticipated Project One made its first public appearance here, being driven on stage by Lewis Hamilton, where both car and man received well deserved applause. Continue reading “A Taste of Frankfurt, Automotively Speaking”

The First Lamborghini & Design Concorso d’Eleganza at Neuchâtel

Over dinner on the eve of the very first Lamborghini & Design Concorso d’Eleganza, I could sense that Enrico Maffeo, head of Lamborghini’s Polo Storico, was relieved that the event was about to unfold. Months of planning would come to fruition, and precious cars from all over Europe and even from Japan would join in for a weekend dedicated to Lamborghini and Le Corbusier. Continue reading “The First Lamborghini & Design Concorso d’Eleganza at Neuchâtel”