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.
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Join our tour of Taikaka House, a slice of New Zealand in SeoulTaikaka House, meaning ‘heart-wood’ in Māori, is a fin-clad, art-filled sanctuary, designed by Nicholas Burns
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Why radical Swedish designer Ann-Sofie Back was way ahead of her timeA new book and exhibition, ‘Go As You Please’, celebrates 20 years of Ann-Sofie Back’s subversive, Swedish design. Nicole DeMarco speaks to the designer about her distinct (and much-referenced) brand of ‘failed glamour’
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Duyi Han’s immersive psychedelic installation in Shanghai is like ‘seeing the world from a higher dimension’Chinese artist Duyi Han on ‘Visions of Bloom’ in Shanghai, his reimagination of a secret Chinese garden through a psychedelic video and furniture installations
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Polestar finally breaks out of its single-model line-up with the Polestar 3 performance SUVLaunched alongside the Polestar 4, the new Polestar 3 is an all-electric SUV that embodies the very best of the Swedish EV brand's approach to design and performance
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Ora-ïto transforms the Renault 17 into a futuristic yet retro-tinged visionThe R17 electric restomod x Ora-ïto is the fourth in Renault's series of designer-led reimaginings of iconic models from its past. We think it's the best of the lot
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The 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed hosted a wealth of auto innovation, from hypercars to hot hatchesThe best new SUVs, EVs, hatchbacks and supercars to emerge from the 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed
