Audi, BMW, and Cadillac were all presented with “Design Excellence Awards” at the North American International Auto Show. Audi managed to take two of the four prizes in the fourth annual EyesOn Design Awards, awarded to best designed production and concept vehicles.
The Audi R8 V10 and 2010 BMW Z4 were awarded honors in the production category. The R8 V10 includes exterior design touches, like LED headlights, a new rear diffuser, and dual oval exhaust pipes. Inside, it has a functional, but complex, instrument cluster easily within the driver’s reach. A sleek and aerodynamic shape adornes the new Z4, which makes it look nice from any angle, and comes with an incredibly neat three-stage removable hard-top. Audi’s A7 Sportback Concept has long, flowing lines, and a calming white leather and wood interior. It won the award for concept car design, along with the Cadillac Converj Concept. The plug-in hybrid Converj is very futuristic on the outside, with a techno-phobic’s nightmare for an interior. The fast-charging car has four individual seats, but a design that will be nearly impossible to bring to production.
Sponsored by the Society of Automotive Engineers 2009 World Congress and Dassault Systems, the awards are presented to the two best production car designs and concept cars.
The jury, led by former Chrysler VP Tom Gale, includes BMW design director Chris Bangle, Senior VP and Chief Styling Officer for Harley-Davidson Willie G. Davison, and Larry Erickson, a Transportation Design professor at the College for Creative Studies. Only vehicles debuting at the Detroit Auto Show qualify for the award.
