Matters on the inside

Carmakers think they have the outside of their cars looking good. Now they are competing to create better interior designs.

The trend is driven by two factors, designers say. One is that people spend more time in their cars. The second is that people want the same high quality of design and materials in their cars as they have in their homes.

"Creating a better interior ambience is important because people cannot drive fast on today's congested roads," says Murat Gunak, Volkswagen Group's design director.

"People spend a lot more time in their cars waiting in traffic, so they have time to look around and notice the inside of their cars."

On the 2006 Passat sedan, VW has integrated the colour and style of the instrument and door panels so they appear as a single unit that envelops the car's occupants.

VW also is using better-quality materials and fabrics in the Passat.

Peugeot is working on interior design innovations. Owners of the new 1007 small minivan can pull out and change interior trim pieces such as the instrument-panel air vents or the seat inserts.

"You can modify the interior to taste by replacing smaller trim pieces with different-coloured pieces," says Aude Brille, project manager for the Peugeot 1007.

"Young people like to personalise car interiors that way."

Designers agree that lighting is playing an increasing role in improving interior ambience.

"Special lighting effects can improve people's feeling of well-being inside a car," says Stefan Sielaff, director of DaimlerChrysler's interior competence centre.

Sielaff had the last word on the interior of the new Mercedes-Benz S-Class, pictured above.

He was in charge of Audi's interior design division before joining Mercedes-Benz in 2002. He is responsible for the excellence of Audi interiors in recent years.

DaimlerChrysler offers indirect lighting as part of the headliner on its Mercedes-Benz CLS-, E- and S-Class.

Certain front interior lights are able to be dimmed without affecting the amount of light in the rear of the car.

BMW's 2006 7-Series features illuminated strips in the door panels that make it easier to find switches.

The subtle lighting also gives the car a more relaxed feeling.

To make interiors more comfortable, carmakers are replacing plastics with traditional materials such as leather, wood and fabrics on seats, door and instrument panels.

"Quality and craftsmanship will rule interior design," says Moray Callum, Mazda's design director.

Gilles Vidal, Citroen's head of concept cars, spoke of "tactileness and coherence of materials" as being extremely important.

But beautiful interiors will never become more important than eye-catching exteriors.

DaimlerChrysler's Sielaff says, "Before potential customers can appreciate a car's interior, they first have to fall in love with a car's exterior."

- AGENCIES