First sight of Pininfarina-designed Eurostar trains

Eurostar has unveiled the first images of its new Pininfarina-designed e320 trains that are currently under construction in Germany.

A £700m overhaul of the Eurostar fleet has seen a refurbishment of its existing trains as well as the purchase of 10 new trains designed by the Italian design house.

The entire new Eurostar fleet should be completed by 2015 with production of the new e320 trains and refurbishment of the existing trains well underway.

"Pininfarina has extensive experience in the rail industry, having designed the interiors and exteriors of Italy's high-speed trains, rolling stock for Swiss, Danish and Norwegian Railways, automated light rail cars in Lille, and trams for cities in Italy, Greece, Sweden and Turkey," said Silvio Pietro Angori, CEO of Pininfarina.

"Together with Eurostar we're now creating a new design for trains that focuses on a great travel experience, thus mixing our style and outstanding functionality with a clear vision of future train travel."

By Rufus Thompson