Electrification isn’t just about mainstream autos; some of the most intriguing products of the last 12 months took modern batteries into new territories, from travel trailers to motorbikes, speedboats, pick-up trucks and even classic car conversions. Find out more in our top 10 transport design stories of 2023…
Top 10 transport design stories of 2023
01. TELO Pick-Up Truck
Telo EV by Fuseproject
One of the USPs of fuseproject’s TELO is that it’s tiny, relatively speaking, cramming go-anywhere practicality into a stubby EV frame that’s shorter than a (modern) Mini.
02. New compact camper vans
Volkswagen California Concept
The renaissance in camper van and RV culture continued apace throughout 2023, with compact designs that double up as everyday drivers making a particular impact.
03. Living Vehicle HD24
Living Vehicle HD24 Travel Trailer
Californian company Living Vehicle launched the HD24, a home from home that also doubles up as an office on the move. Meticulous multi-functional design make this machine a highly desirable mobile des-res.
04. Electrogenic 1929 Rolls-Royce Phantom II
Rolls-Royce Phantom II by Electrogenic
Electrified classics are everywhere right now, but kudos to Electrogenic for applying the tech to a true vintage machine. This one-off 1929 Rolls-Royce has been transformed over 18 months, replacing the original monstrous engine with a battery pack without compromising its majestic stance.
05. Bentley Blower Jr
Bentley Blower Jr by The Little Car Company
At the other end of the scale is this pocket-sized Bentley, shrunk and electrified by the Little Car Company. At 85 per cent scale, it’s still a sprightly two-seater.
06. Fuell Fllow Motorbike
Fuell Fllow Motorbike
Electric touring motorbikes have yet to have their moment, but Fuell’s futuristic Fllow was a bright sign of things to come, mixing fast charging with a long range and plenty of performance.
07. Fiat Topolino
Fiat Topolino Dolcevita
Fiat’s tiny Topolino has yet to go on sale, but we’re eagerly awaiting a go. Based on the cracking little Citroën Ami, the Topolino truly captures the spirit of small Fiats of the distant past.
08. Pebble Flow
Pebble Flow Electric Travel Trailer
If there was an award for the most sophisticated travel trailer of the age, the Pebble Flow would snap it up. With embedded electric power – to lessen the load on the tow vehicle – the four-berth Flow would light up any weekend away.
09. Renault Twingo by Sabine Marcelis
Renault Twingo x Sabine Marcelis
Renault continues to play with its icons and Sabine Marcelis’ take on the classic original Twingo followed Mathieu Lehanneur’s Renault 4 based Suite N°4, and Pierre Gonalons’ stylish Renault 5 Diamant. The French manufacturer will soon return to its roots as the king of small cars.
10. Candela C-8 Polestar Edition
Candela C-8 Polestar Edition electric hydrofoil
As a way of showcasing their power packs, Polestar fitted out the Candela C-8 hydrofoil with its hefty batteries. The resulting Polestar Edition blazes a trail for luxury electric watercraft.
-
Rio Kobayashi’s new furniture bridges eras, shown alongside Fritz Rauh’s midcentury paintings at Blunk SpaceFurniture designer Rio Kobayashi unveils a new series, informed by the paintings of midcentury artist Fritz Rauh, at California’s Blunk Space
-
New York restaurant Locanda Verde’s second outpost will transport you to a different time and placeLocanda Verde’s expansive new Hudson Yards osteria exudes a sophisticated yet intimate atmosphere overflowing with art treasures
-
LVMH watch week 2025: everything we know so farOur guide to LVMH Watch Week 2025, taking place in New York and Paris, starting 21 January; keep an eye out for our updates
-
Rolls-Royce Phantom Dragon crosses cultures with a highly crafted approachThis one-of-one Phantom Extended has been built as a celebration of the outgoing Year of the Dragon, overseen by Rolls-Royce’s Shanghai Private Office
-
From Polestar 1 to Polestar 6, a definitive guide to the acclaimed EV brand's cars and conceptsNow that the new Polestar 3 and 4 are on the road, we take stock of Polestar’s progress and chronicle its evolution, cataloguing all the EV car company’s models and concepts to date
-
The top 10 concept cars of 2024, as selected by Wallpaper’s Transport EditorWe round up our favourite forays into futuristic design with this collection of concepts and design studies showcasing the transport of tomorrow
-
The Volkswagen Passat is a sober, straight edged estate car that feels increasingly out of timeWhy would anyone pass on a Passat? Volkswagen’s big load lugger proves that the old ideas are still the best
-
Rolls-Royce re-imagines the classic wheels of one of James Bond’s greatest antagonistsFor one lucky Rolls-Royce owner and Fleming obsessive, this one-off Phantom Goldfinger will blur the lines between cinematic fantasy and real life
-
Renault celebrates new R4 EV and electric mobility with TheArsenale and four French start-upsRenault's '4 Movements' accompanied the R4 E-Tech at the 2024 Paris Motor Show; the clutch of sleek machines will bring innovative electrification to air, sea and water
-
Volkswagen celebrates 50 years of the Golf, its most famous modern model, with a flight of fancyWallpaper* travelled to eastern Turkey in search of the perfect backdrop to mark 50 years and eight generations of the evergreen VW Golf
-
Rolls-Royce’s Bespoke division pushes paint technology to the limits in the Spectre LunaflairThis one-off commission transforms Rolls-Royce’s all-electric Spectre into a shimmering spectacle inspired by atmospherical effects
