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Away from the noise of IAA Munich, Car Design News takes a look at new that may have gone under the radar over the last week
Nichia
expands pixelated light source family
The
pixelated light source family now includes the µPLS (MicroPLS) alongside the µPLS
Mini and DominoPLS – taking glare-free headlighting from entry-level ADB
applications to high-definition projection.
This
line-up spans three tiers. The DominoPLS has been designed to support popular
small cars transitioning from halogen or conventional LED systems. The µPLS
Mini brings digital ADB capabilities to the broader car market, enabling
individually addressable pixel dimming, higher brightness and symbol
projection. The MicroPLS, already used in vehicles like the Porsche Cayenne,
can project images using over 16,000 individually addressable pixels.
This
expanded portfolio aligns with growing market trends towards adopting glare-free
lighting.
Skoda
Vision O design sketches revealed
As the
final teaser of the Vision O ahead of its reveal on 8 September in Munich, the
design sketches reveal the bodywork and interior lines. The silhouette of the
vehicle has been designed to improve aerodynamics, which should translate to an
improvement in range.
Keep up to
date with Car Design News for further updates.
Amalgam
Collection recreates Aston Martin Valkyrie in 1:8 scale
As perhaps
the ultimate accessory for Aston Martin Valkyrie enthusiasts, Amalgam
Collection has created the only Aston Martin approved 1:8 scale model of the
vehicle.
Over 3,000
hours were spent developing the models alongside the Aston Martin design and
engineering teams. Each model takes over 300 hours to hand assemble by a small
team of model artists and craftspeople.
And it can
be yours for the low-low price of £14,740.
Mini
partners up to create one-off cars
Mini and
Deus Ex Machina have teamed up to unveil two one-offs: The Skeg, a
stripped-back, fiberglass-heavy JCW Electric in vivid yellow and silver,
inspired by surf culture’s raw minimalism.
The Machina
is the second new reveal, a rally-bred JCW combustion car drenched in
motorsport nostalgia, with widened fenders, bonnet-mounted lights and a Can-Am
spoiler.
Inside,
both trade gloss for grit – waxed fabrics, visible seams, neoprene and levers.
Each carries the bold white “X,” a visual signature of co-creation.
Škoda Felicia
Fun
Škoda has
dusted off one of its quirkiest icons – the 1997 Felicia Fun – and reimagined
it through its ‘Modern Solid’ design lens.
Designer Julien
Petitseigneur’s concept keeps the cult pick-up’s sunshine yellow paint but trades
the frog badge and colour-coded bumpers for chunky black cladding, neon-pink
highlights and a light bar that glows pink instead of red.
The
Tech-Deck face grille and T-shaped LEDs anchor it firmly in Škoda’s new design
era, while retro flourishes – like dashboard graphics styled after old-school
CRT monitors –capturing the original’s spirit.
Concours
of Elegance 2025
On Friday,
the Car Design News team swooped in to visit the Concours of Elegance in
Hampton Court Palace.
Enjoy the
image gallery of only a few of our favourite cars on show.
link