The Cadillac Converj concept was a surprise addition to the new car unveilings from GM. Conceived at GM's Advanced Design studio in the UK, the angular exterior aesthetic adorns a vehicle that is smaller than the CTS Coupe concept seen in Detroit last year, with a sloping DLO, plunging beltline and pronounced shoulder giving the 2+2 very dynamic attributes.
Lead exterior designer Robin Krieg told CDN how the concept refines the design language of the Cien and Sixteen concepts by introducing a softer aesthetic, which is no less refined and luxurious. "This proportion for a Cadillac is something new. Cadillac has always been cab rearward," Kreig said, "The challenge with this car was to do something that did not look like an economy car because that is not something that is associated with luxury." Exterior design manager Brian Smith told us how the grille was reworked to minimize drag without diluting the definitive Cadillac identity.
The philosophy behind the interior, designed by Ben Walsh and David Leary and led by interior design manager Jeff Perkins, was to create a lavishly-appointed and technologically-advanced cabin. The transparent center stack contains a touch activated HMI and flows down the IP, while a battery meter seen through the center console emphasizes the futuristic electric powertrain. The essence of the brand's exterior design themes are maintained while applying an 'eco-aesthetic' aspect to the materials.
"Some customers want invisible eco, some want to celebrate it kind of like a rolling billboard," Perkins told us, "For a car in this class you need to have authentic materials: metal, leather, things like that." Ultimately the balance between the two was met by fitting environmentally sustainable and renewable materials as well as the quintessential luxury materials sought by buyers in the premium segment. The IP upper is made of synthetic suede and the brightwork is actually aluminum, not plated metal. The trim is made of recycled wood pressed together, and the carpeting is made of wool.
Based on the company's next-generation A6 platform, the 2009 Sportback Concept is Audi's conceptual - but suspiciously production-feasible - answer to the Mercedes CLS, measuring 4.95m long, 1.93m wide and 1.4m high. Unusually, however, the de rigeur coupe profile has been applied to a five-door hatchback rather than a four-door sedan.
Designed under the supervision of Audi design boss Wolfgang Egger, the Sportback implements the 2008 A1 Sportback concept's six-point, shield-shaped grille and gaping horizontal side intakes with only minor detail changes, most obvious of which being the removal of the vertical grille bars. Egger confirms that this is the 'new face' of Audi.
The German designer talked a lot about the influence of architecture in the design process, highlighting the role of what he calls the 'tornado line' (which runs from a low point behind the front arch, upwards towards the rear) in creating tension in the car's haunches. The sharp character line is also in keeping with other Audi models, but is accentuated here by a glasshouse that tapers quite dramatically towards the rear.
In rear profile the Sportback looks very wide and flat, with a U-shaped glasshouse that resembles that of the TT coupe. The subtle suggestion of a deck spoiler and the concave, inward slope of the rear also hark back to the sports cars of the 1960s, says Egger.
The interior design is equally successful, featuring four generously sized seats, cream upholstery and handsome slatted wood on all of the driver's touchpoints (including the steering wheel rim) and the wide, flat center console that runs below the dash. Unfortunately, the quilted seats don't quite go with the wood theme, detracting slightly from an otherwise cohesive and highly attractive luxury coupe design.
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Designer Interview: Wolfgang Egger, Audi Group Head of Design 
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