Two Award-Winning GM Concept Cars Compete at Villa d'Este

The two GM cars will be among a dozen concept and prototype vehicles which are in the running for the “Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este Design Award,” which is voted by the public at the Grand Hotel Villa d’Este and the Villa Erba in the town of Cernobbio on Lake Como.

First staged in 1929, the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este today ranks as one of the world’s most tradition-steeped events. Each year, collectors from around the world present their exclusive cars to a specialist jury and the public.

A prize awarded to the contemporary concept car was introduced in 2002, creating a link between the past and future design. Last year, the Opel GTC Concept and the Saab Aero X Concept took part in the event. This year’s winner will be announced Sunday.

In this year’s event, April 25 - 27, organizers have invited GM Design to enter two concept cars: the premium hybrid compact Saab 9-X BioHybrid, which won Autoweek’s “Best Concept” award at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show, and the Cadillac CTS Coupe, the celebrated winner at this year’s North American International Auto show in Detroit.

CTS Coupe takes Cadillac’s acclaimed design language one step further

“I’m very proud that the Cadillac CTS Coupe concept has been invited to this prestigious European event. It truly is an honor to represent the GM Design team here,” said Ed Welburn, Vice President of GM Design who will present the Cadillac CTS Coupe.

The CTS Coupe takes Cadillac’s acclaimed Art and Science design language and adds more of both. More expressive, more technical and very personal, the CTS Coupe extends the dramatic design of its sedan predecessor with all-new sculpted bodywork aft of the front fenders.

The CTS Coupe Concept has a classic 2+2 interior layout, highlighted by black leather and microfiber trim that is complemented by yellow ochre-colored seat inserts and leather stitching.

Saab 9-X BioHybrid brings a dynamic new dimension to premium compact car segment

The 9-X BioHybrid was created by a team under Anthony Lo, Director of Advanced Design at General Motors Europe, working in co-operation with the Saab Brand Center in Sweden. With its compact proportions, wide stance and extended roof line, the three-door Saab 9-X BioHybrid brings a dynamic, new dimension to the premium compact segment.

The wrap around window graphic, smooth fuselage bodywork – without any visible handles or even door mirrors – and ‘ice block’ lighting themes draw on roots in Scandinavian design and Saab’s aircraft heritage. Scandinavian values also are present in the environmentally-conscious powertrain – an innovative bioethanol-hybrid combination.

Mark Adams, Vice President GM Europe Design, will be driving the Saab. “This is the second year in a row Saab has been invited to Villa d’Este: This shows that our unique Scandinavian design themes remain a progressive force in automotive design,” he said.

Source: GM