Garmin Nuvi 2495 Lmt on 2040-parts.com

Videos: Volkswagen's exterior and interior designers highlight the Up's design elements

We've enjoyed the design of Volkswagen's new Up since we first saw the vehicle in concept form at the 2007 Frankfurt motor show. Devoid of any extraneous detailing, the simple, product design aesthetic is pared back to represent the crux of VW's design philosophy: pure, simple and solid.  The result is a harmonious design that stands out from the pack, with simple surfacing and subtle detailing; the Up's design is pure and minimalistic, which serves to exude quality in the product. Inside, the vehicle is brimming with space-saving design details.  From an IP devoid of central air vents to a thin headrest that visually extends the height of the interior, the Up is a success story in space efficiency, but it is also finished to a high level using quality materials.

Renault at Geneva Motor Show: Renault Wind

The Renault Wind gets its first public airing at Geneva The Renault Wind gets its first public airing at Geneva Last month Renault revealed that the Twingo CC we were expecting to make an appearance would – but as the Renault Wind. Which seems to be because Renault want us to perceive the Wind as a bit more upmarket that the Twingo on which it’s based. So they’re fitting bits and bobs to the interior from further up the Renault range to make the Wind seem a bit posher.

Driven: Ford Mondeo wagon

But the design of this Mondeo is interesting because of this, not despite this. The core challenge for the Ford design team was how to balance delivering a distinctively engaging design with being acceptable to as much as possible of the broad target profile of potential buyer. This is perhaps the biggest unspoken challenge for today's vehicle designer.