Aston Martin and Cadillac recognised by car designers

The world’s car designers have voted, with the Cadillac Converi and Aston Martin Rapide taking out top honours at a recent international motor show where favourite design was the main topic of conversation.

The Geneva Motor Show played host to several prestigious awards, none more so than the premier Best Production award which was awarded to the creators of the Rapide from Aston Martin. The team behind the sumptuous Cadillac Converi took home the top gong in the category of Best Concept vehicle.

The winners were voted for by Car Design News voters, following the magazine editor’s publication of the shortlist of nominees which was made up of last year’s best designs.

Marek Reichman, the design director for Aston Martin, who accepted the award on behalf of the car manufacturing team for the Rapide Sedan, paid tribute to the voting team who he claimed had recognised the passion and teamwork of the company designers and the brand.

The European studios of General Motors were behind the concept for the Cadillac Converi under the supervision of Simon Cox, the design director. Malcolm Ward, GM Europe’s mid-size range chief designer, accepted the award. Mr Ward made particular mention of his design team’s global outlook, emphasising how proud he was to be accepting the award on behalf of the greater Chrysler team which is based in Detroit.

The most notable features of the new Converi include a cab-forward design which has softened the traditionally angular symmetry of the Cadillac. The interior also featured a host of new additions that were constructed from renewable and environmentally sustainable materials.