Freddie Holmes

United Kingdom

Assistant Editor at Car Design News

Journalist @automotiveworld @chutzpahcar

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Articles

"The key is to understand how tech can bring real value" - an exclusive interview with Polestar's new head of UX design

3 weeks ago | cardesignnews.com | Freddie Holmes

Exclusive: Sid Odedra on moving from Audi to Polestar Following a visit to Gothenburg earlier this year and a surprise meeting with the UX specialist, CDN is the first to hear about his first six months at Polestar When Phillip Roemers took the top design job at Polestar, succeeding the outgoing Maximilian Missoni, he clearly had a few names in mind to bring with him.
UAE studio Peec reimagines local icon: the Nissan Patrol

3 weeks ago | cardesignnews.com | Freddie Holmes

UAE studio reimagines local icon The Nissan Patrol might seem an unlikely candidate for the luxe treatment, but its connection to UAE culture means it makes more sense than you might think The restomod craze continues to roll on, and generally to one of two set formulas. The first is to follow a nut and bolt restoration with contemporary updates to hardware and underlying components – a screen, better suspension, lights that work and brakes that stop.
Alpina founder launches new car brand, and car: the Bovensiepen Zagato

3 weeks ago | cardesignnews.com | Freddie Holmes

Fine driving meets fine design with Bovensiepen Zagato The Bovensiepen name is already famous many times over for its ties to Alpina, the famous BMW modification outfit from Buchloe, Germany. Now, the family name has been elevated to the front of the bonnet, not just on a plaque in the cockpit Although the press release does well to avoid mention of the A-word, there is no escaping the links to a brand with half a century of design excellence under its belt.
Urban Automotive: "OEM+ modification is about complementing already great car designs"

1 month ago | cardesignnews.com | Freddie Holmes

“OEM+ is about complementing an already great design” Car Design News sat down with Urban Automotive founder Simon Dearn to discuss modification, styling and why certain cars just make sense for ‘OEM plus’ work Car modification has always split opinion, but amid the recent boom in restomods it seems somewhat ironic.
Alpine launches new A390

1 month ago | cardesignnews.com | Freddie Holmes

Alpine launches new A390 The new electric fastback expands the brand’s product offering and subsequently its customer base. CDN is in France for the official launch to learn more The Alpine A390 has been revealed at an event in the brand’s home of Dieppe, France. Car Design News is on site and we enjoyed zipping down from London in the A110 S in time for the launch.
Luxury and utility combine for unexpected Genesis concept interior

1 month ago | cardesignnews.com | Freddie Holmes

Luxury and utility combine for unexpected Genesis concept interior From horology to helicopters, Manil Kim and the interior design team looked far and wide for inspiration with the X Gran Equator concept. This new concept is described as the brand’s first “adventure vehicle” and does feel more rugged than Genesis fans will be used to. But a strong sense of luxury remains.
Changan adds experienced commercial vehicle design lead

1 month ago | cardesignnews.com | Freddie Holmes

Chris Hamilton joins from Contechs and will lead design for a broad mix of commercial vehicle projects Chris Hamilton has taken a new role with Changan, joining many other Europeans who have made the move out East in recent years. Many will already be familiar with Hamilton as a judge for the 2024 People Awards, but perhaps more so from his two-decade tenure at Ford, serving most recently as head of global strategic design between 2019 and 2022.
Car Design News reviews the 2025 Autodesk Automotive Innovation Forum

1 month ago | cardesignnews.com | Freddie Holmes

Now running for a decade, the Automotive Innovation Forum (AIF) brings together a huge range of experts from a wide mix of industries. One thing in common – aside from an unhealthy appetite for networking – is that all of these experts use Autodesk products in some way. The idea is to share ideas, success stories and address shared challenges all under one roof. The conference is split into two main tracks: design and smart factories.
The key trends influencing automotive lighting design

1 month ago | cardesignnews.com | Freddie Holmes

The key trends influencing automotive lighting design What are the main trends shaping lighting design, and why has it become central to contemporary products? Has lighting become the hottest ticket in automotive design? It can’t be far off. Each new launch seems to lean increasingly heavily on lighting to separate models and brands from one another, not only outside but inside the cabin too.
Lynk & Co teams up with Harman Kardon

1 month ago | cardesignnews.com | Freddie Holmes

Lynk & Co teams up with Harman Kardon The design teams at Lynk & Co and Harman Kardon worked closely to push in-car audio to new levels Audio and automotive are about as intertwined as two things can be. A solid sound system can make or break a sale. Even if it’s not up to scratch, there are hordes of aftermarket solutions for any brand and any budget ready to give the goods. Audio is important in car design, both sonically and visually.