The mobility of the future will not only be shaped by new drive technologies or software solutions. It will emerge at the point where people interact with vehicles: On the surface. This is where perception, functionality, and emotion come together. LEONHARD KURZ develops solutions that bring technology to life.

The mobility revolution is fundamentally changing the automotive industry: Electrification, autonomous driving, artificial intelligence, and sustainability mark one of the most exciting phases of innovation since the invention of the car. Today, modern vehicles are already more than just a means of transportation. They are examples of engineering precision, equipped with digital intelligence, comfortable features, and a connected infrastructure.

The industry is relying on the latest technologies to master this complexity. At the same time, other factors are playing an increasingly decisive role. Luitpold Haarländer, Head of Business Area Plastic Decoration Automotive at LEONHARD KURZ, emphasizes: "The mobility of tomorrow is an engineering challenge, but it also offers opportunities. Anyone who wants to set new standards in efficiency, sustainability, and driving experience should look into innovative technologies and materials. With this in mind, we have developed the concepts that we are presenting at this year's IAA Mobility. They reflect the groundbreaking trends that will significantly shape the automotive industry."

Today, the external perception of vehicles is no longer just about visual presence. Modern lighting systems, for example, perform communicative tasks, such as indicating driving modes with illuminated signatures or activating specific lighting effects when the vehicle approaches. Such functions give the vehicle character and make it recognizable on the road. At the same time, the role of materials is changing: Decorative surfaces convey brand aesthetics and at the same time convey messages about sustainability, quality, and technological expertise. What used to be considered a purely functional component is now deliberately staged - with visual depth, high-quality haptics, and a clear commitment to resource conservation. “In vehicle design, decorative and functional elements merge into a single unit. Holographic effects, deliberately placed lighting accents, and high-quality materials such as crystals are used as part of an interdisciplinary development process. When we combine our expertise with strong partners, the focus is on one thing above all else: Innovation,” explains Luitpold Haarländer, adding: “We are demonstrating the practical effects of this at the IAA with two groundbreaking projects. On the one hand, we are continuing our successful cooperation with Swarovski Mobility and SP3, the expert in lighting system development, with the FrontIQ Light Concept. On the other hand, we have developed the Rear Light Concept together with ams OSRAM, which combines efficient series technology with expressive lighting design.”

While the vehicle communicates with its surroundings via its exterior, a new living space is created in the interior, where the change in mobility is particularly noticeable. The more driver assistance systems and automated driving gain in importance, the more the interior becomes a living space. Displays, controls, and trim elements are increasingly merging into continuous, homogeneous surfaces that respond to gestures and touch. Functions are embedded and only appear when they are needed. Low-reflection surfaces in deep black, together with glass displays, form components with a seamless appearance whose functions only become visible when touched. “Especially in combination with touch functionalities and hidden-until-lit technology, this creates a completely new user experience,” says Luitpold Haarländer.

This new form of interior design combines aesthetic appeal with intuitive use. At the same time, it offers the possibility of integrating sustainable materials – such as technical textiles based on rPET produced as part of KURZ's own RECOSYS® system. They replace classic leather or wood elements. “Sustainability is not just a trend in the automotive sector; it will determine the future development of the industry. At KURZ, it is very important to us to act responsibly – that is why we have worked intensively in recent years on solutions that enable us to close the loop and show the automotive industry new ways forward,” explains Luitpold Haarländer. “We are presenting the result together with our partner Farplas and KURZ subsidiary PolyIC in the form of a Smart Display Center Console. This is the first time that a technical textile solution has been presented that was developed together with partners Topp Textil and Technofibres and is based on rPET from our in-house recycling program RECOSYS® – just one example of how sustainability and atmospheric design can go hand in hand.”

Whether rPET, natural fibers, or bio-based materials: Future-oriented automotive design uses materials that have a story to tell - where they come from, how they were processed, how they can be recycled. “This is clearly not a cosmetic trend, but rather a long-term goal of contributing to a reduction in the CO2 footprint,” emphasizes Haarländer. “Recyclates, bio-based raw materials, or thin-film decoration on recycled materials: They are all changing how we think about materials in the automotive context. However, it is important to note that sustainability is not a contradiction to luxury. Rather, it redefines it as a conscious way of designing. This is exactly where we come in with our material technology innovations.” Luitpold Haarländer cites EcoLayer FX as an example, where high-quality surface effects have been developed for bio-based plastics such as cellulose or limestone compounds.

“In summary, automotive design does not begin with the form, but with the question of what this form is supposed to express,” explains Luitpold Haarländer. “The surface is not an accessory, because it combines emotion, technology, and sustainability - and only those who have a visionary understanding of surface design can truly shape the vehicle of tomorrow.”