By Paul-Henri Matha
What impressed me during IAA is how car makers are evolving in automotive interiors in totally different ways. In China, when you get in a car, it is super difficult to know what make it is — a Nio, Changan, Dongfeng, Geely or whatever; only the steering wheel logo can help you.
This was not the case at IAA. Each brand is clearly defining its own DNA when we talk about interior, and interior lighting is part of it. Here I summarize what looked like to me like an obvious brand-by-brand strategy:
Audi
The interior of the concept is inspired by the first generation of the Audi TT with simple extruded volumes and light bar underneath the dashboard to give a floating aspect to the second layer of the dashboard.
Cupra
Lighting expresses emotion with multiple warm colours.
BMW
Lighting expresses technology, with hidden light behind fabrics (already seen some years ago at CES as a concept)
Avatr
Avatr’s Vision Xpectra is a modern vision of a limousine with EV motors and luxury interior. Lighting has replaced chrome in the interior, especially in the header panel and the roof.
Hyundai
In the Ioniq Three concept, the cabin design creates environments that feel warm, intuitive, and calming. By embracing soft volumes and user-focused layouts, it fosters a sense of serenity and clarity. A symbolic character integrated throughout the car evokes curiosity, joy and emotional connection, offering playful storytelling through ‘hidden surprises’ and interactive design elements.
Some nice lighting details are present in the concept, such as pixel light in the steering wheel for information and messages, backlighting underneath the dashboard for a floating effect, and a screen on each side of the dashboard giving information toward the outside area.
Kia
Diagonal LED lighting on the Concept EV2’s front door cards beautifully accentuate the contrast between the front and rear spaces, creating a striking visual effect. Complementing this is the triangular-pattern lighting and a unique LED dashboard animation, which together create a relaxing and inspiring interior atmosphere.
Lighting is overall used to give a floating aspect to the interior design and highlight the nice texture work done in the interior.
