Ford GT, Buick Avenir and Audi Q7 take 2015 EyesOn Design awards
Thu, Jan 15 2015
Apparently the editors at Autoblog had a good eye because the winner of 2015's Best Designed Production Vehicle award went to the Ford GT, which was also our favorite debut from the show. The new supercar beat the Acura NSX and Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class Coupe for the honor. The judges described the Blue Oval's shape as "capturing the original GT40 in a modern interpretation," according to EyesOn Design.
The Buick Avenir was also a big winner in the awards this year and received the nods for both Best Designed Concept Vehicle and Innovative Use of Color, Graphics and Materials. In the concept category, it beat out the Chevrolet Bolt and Mercedes-Benz F 015, and in the latter group, the sedan triumphed over Audi Q7, Mercedes F 015 and Volkswagen Cross Coupe GTE. The Q7 received its own accolade for Best Designed Interior, and it beat the Avenir and Infiniti Q60 for the honor.
This year's Lifetime Design Achievement Award went to former Renault designer Patrick le Quement, and Bob Lutz received the EyesOn Design Catalyst Award for the second time. The honor is for an executive "who has empowered great design," according to the organization, which describes Lutz perfectly. Scroll down to read the announcement with more comments about the winners.
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Ford, Buick, Audi recipients of EyesOn Design Awards at North American International Auto Show
EyesOn Design Awards for Design Excellence for 2015 were revealed today at the North American International Auto Show. The awards honor the most significant automotive designs revealed at NAIAS as determined by the North American and global leaders of design from automotive manufacturers, along with academic chairs of transportation design programs and design leaders from other fields.
Best Designed Production Vehicle sponsored by Lacks Wheel Trim Systems
Finalists: Acura NSX, Ford GT, Mercedes Benz GLE Class Coupe
Winner: Ford GT
Judges cited the winner as "capturing the original GT40 in a modern interpretation...and the optimism it showcases for both the Ford brand and the industry."
Best Designed Concept Vehicle sponsored by Dassault Systemes
Finalists: Chevrolet Bolt EV, Buick Avenir, Mercedes Benz F015
Winner: Buick Avenir
Judges cited the Avenir as "something special that you could tell designers really liked doing...it represents presence, elegance, sportiness all rolled into one."
Innovative Use of Color, Graphics & Materials sponsored by Axalta
Finalists: Audi Q7, Buick Avenir, Mercedes Benz F015, VW Cross Coupe GLE
Winner: Buick Avenir
Judges cited its "attention to detail...the way its materials worked together...its understated elegance which was true to the brand."
Best Designed Interior sponsored by ABC Group
Finalists: Audi Q7, Buick Avenir, Infiniti Q60
Winner: Audi Q7
Judges cited its "beautiful theme...wonderful fit and finish...great ergonomics and use of materials."
And finally, the 2015 Catalyst Award was presented to automotive veteran Robert Lutz.
Lutz, who has held top executive positions at BMW, Chrysler, Ford and General Motors, retired as vice chairman from GM in 2010. Currently, he is a senior advisor at Katzkin Leather Interiors and a partner with Gilbert Villarreal in VL Productions. He was selected to receive the award by Patrick le Quement, the former senior vice president of corporate design at Renault, and the 2015 recipient of the EyesOn Design Lifetime Design Achievement Award.
Patrick le Quement will receive his Lifetime Design Achievement Award at a black tie gala event on Friday, June 19, prior to the June 21 EyesOn Design Automotive Design Exhibition which will be held at the Edsel & Eleanor Ford House in Grosse Pointe Shores, MI.
EyesOn Design Awards for Design Excellence for 2015 were revealed today at the North American International Auto Show. The awards honor the most significant automotive designs revealed at NAIAS as determined by the North American and global leaders of design from automotive manufacturers, along with academic chairs of transportation design programs and design leaders from other fields.
Best Designed Production Vehicle sponsored by Lacks Wheel Trim Systems
Finalists: Acura NSX, Ford GT, Mercedes Benz GLE Class Coupe
Winner: Ford GT
Judges cited the winner as "capturing the original GT40 in a modern interpretation...and the optimism it showcases for both the Ford brand and the industry."
Best Designed Concept Vehicle sponsored by Dassault Systemes
Finalists: Chevrolet Bolt EV, Buick Avenir, Mercedes Benz F015
Winner: Buick Avenir
Judges cited the Avenir as "something special that you could tell designers really liked doing...it represents presence, elegance, sportiness all rolled into one."
Innovative Use of Color, Graphics & Materials sponsored by Axalta
Finalists: Audi Q7, Buick Avenir, Mercedes Benz F015, VW Cross Coupe GLE
Winner: Buick Avenir
Judges cited its "attention to detail...the way its materials worked together...its understated elegance which was true to the brand."
Best Designed Interior sponsored by ABC Group
Finalists: Audi Q7, Buick Avenir, Infiniti Q60
Winner: Audi Q7
Judges cited its "beautiful theme...wonderful fit and finish...great ergonomics and use of materials."
And finally, the 2015 Catalyst Award was presented to automotive veteran Robert Lutz.
Lutz, who has held top executive positions at BMW, Chrysler, Ford and General Motors, retired as vice chairman from GM in 2010. Currently, he is a senior advisor at Katzkin Leather Interiors and a partner with Gilbert Villarreal in VL Productions. He was selected to receive the award by Patrick le Quement, the former senior vice president of corporate design at Renault, and the 2015 recipient of the EyesOn Design Lifetime Design Achievement Award.
Patrick le Quement will receive his Lifetime Design Achievement Award at a black tie gala event on Friday, June 19, prior to the June 21 EyesOn Design Automotive Design Exhibition which will be held at the Edsel & Eleanor Ford House in Grosse Pointe Shores, MI.
By Chris Bruce
See also: Thanks for keeping us on our toes, Detroit Auto Show [w/poll], Thanks for keeping us on our toes, Detroit Auto Show [w/poll], 2nd annual Automobile Advertising of the Year Awards revealed.