Top designers leading the global automotive industry

The other day, some news broke in the automotive industry. It seems that Jaguar Land Rover's CCO (Chief Creative Officer), Gerry McGovern, has resigned. The reason for this is a change in CEO at parent company Tata Motors, and the personnel changes that came with it. Perhaps Jaguar's next-generation concept car, the Type 00, wasn't well-received. That's the kind of nuance I'm hearing.

I know Jerry well. I haven't seen him in a few years, but at one point I interviewed him several times a year, especially around the time the Evoque was released. He showed me lots of photos, saying he had designed a house for himself at the time. He was a little hard to approach at first, but he opened up when we started talking about watches.

His achievements are significant, and while many brands today are reducing the number of physical switches, Jerry was the first to do so boldly. This was the case with the fourth-generation Range Rover, which boasted that it had reduced the number of physical switches by 50% compared to the previous model. Of course, timing may have been a factor, but it is certain that the number of physical switches has since decreased, especially in high-end models. In that sense, his retirement may have marked the end of an era.

So, which designer is currently garnering attention? It's Klaus Busse, head of Maserati's design department. I met him at a dinner at the Goodwood Festival of Speed ​​in 2018. He's a gentleman, standing 2 meters 8 cm tall. He's been working with Maserati since 2015, and the MC20 won the Red Dot Design Award for Best of the Best. The elegance and beauty of the entire current lineup is due to his sense, and it's the result of his thorough knowledge of Maserati's history. He often mentions the Maserati A6 GCS, released in 1954, and I agree that it was a milestone.

Maserati's entry-level SUV, available only in Japan

The Grecale, featured here, was designed by Busse. It is Maserati's second SUV after the Levante, which debuted in 2016, so it was the work of his predecessor.

The distinctive feature of the Grecale is that it directly inherits the DNA of the MC20, the flagship of the new generation of Maserati. This is especially true of the front mask, where the shape and position of the grille and headlights follow the same design. In addition, the unnecessary character lines on the body sides have been eliminated, creating a sleek form with a surface structure. It goes without saying that this expresses the sexiness of Italian design.

A new entry-level model for the Grecale is now available, which is good news for fans of Italian cars. The grade name is "Essenza," which means "essence" in Italian. The number of options available has been simplified, and the vehicle price is set at 990 million yen. It's rare to be able to get a high-end Maserati at this price. The fact that it's exclusive to Japan shows the importer's seriousness.

The power source is a mild hybrid of a 20-liter inline 4-cylinder turbocharged engine and a motor, producing a maximum output of 300 PS. Acceleration assisted by the motor is sharp, and you can feel the power beyond the figures. The same goes for mid-range acceleration on the highway, and it's hard to believe it's a 2-liter engine. Another feature of this car is its comfortable ride. While the higher-grade Modena has 2-inch wheels and the top-end Trofeo has 21-inch wheels, this model is fitted with 19-inch wheels. This has a positive effect on the ride quality.

As a proponent of thick tires, this is something I can't overlook. Not only do thick tires improve ride comfort, but they also make replacement or changing to studless tires more affordable. It also reduces the chances of scraping against curbs in parking lots, so it's all good. And in this car, the 19-inch tires provide a gentle ride that's characteristic of a Maserati. The flat cabin is a sign that this is a luxury car.

So, let's take a look at the new entry-level model of the Grecale, the Essenza. This is the car that allows you to feel the design that embodies Maserati's identity most closely. As mentioned above, the design is of high quality, so fashion-conscious people should definitely check it out. At the same time, this is an SUV. It's sure to look cool if you take it hard to a resort or glamping site. The mud-splattered body isn't bad either. It looks like it will be the perfect companion for spending your holidays feeling like an Italian aristocrat.

Tatsuya Kushima

Motor journalist and columnist. Currently, he is the media site editor-in-chief and media business producer for the surfing magazine "NALU." She has previously served as editor-in-chief of many men's magazines, golf magazines, car magazines, airline in-flight magazines, etc. In addition to media activities, he is a member of the Japan Car of the Year selection committee, a member of the Japan Cigar Association, a Japan Boat of the Year selection committee, and the creative director of men's golf wear ``The Duke's Golf.''