European Product Design Award 2026: FrontIQ Light Concept by KURZ Receives Honorable Mention

Fuerth/Germany, October 26, 2026: The FrontIQ Light Concept by LEONHARD KURZ has received an Honorable Mention at the European Product Design Award (EPDA) 2026. Submitted in the ‘Conceptual (Design only or Prototype) – Automotive & Transport Product Design’ category, the concept combines distinctive, brand-defining lighting design with functional integration and scalable manufacturing technology. The recognition underscores KURZ’s development approach of bringing design and industrial implementation together at an early stage. It also highlights the role that lighting and smart surfaces could play in shaping vehicle identity and communication in the future.

“We are delighted to receive an Honorable Mention at the European Product Design Award. Our FrontIQ Light Concept demonstrates the potential that emerges when different areas of expertise come together at an early stage. Vehicle lighting has long since evolved beyond a purely functional role: It can shape a vehicle’s identity, convey information, and enable new forms of interaction. Together with our partners, we are actively helping to shape this development,” says Luitpold Haarländer, Head of Sales Management Mobility at KURZ.

From Headlight to Three-Dimensional Light Sculpture

The FrontIQ Light Concept reinterprets the headlight as a three-dimensional design element at the front of the vehicle. KURZ combines its expertise in thin-film and surface technology as well as industrial process integration with the crystal expertise of SWAROVSKI MOBILITY and SP3’s know-how in lighting system development. The sculptural design unit opens up new possibilities for individual and brand-specific lighting signatures. Crystals from SWAROVSKI MOBILITY provide targeted light guidance and a sense of depth. A holographic carbon structure adds further visual accents.

Beyond its visual impact, the concept incorporates various lighting and communication functions. These include town lights and spotlights as well as adaptive applications, such as dynamic cornering lights and daytime running lights. The upper section of the design unit displays the turn signal in amber and the automated driving mode vehicle status in cyan. A segmented communication light in the center enables interaction with other road users.

Production-Ready Technology as the Basis of the Concept

The FrontIQ Light Concept is based on production-ready, highly efficient manufacturing technology: The 3K IMD process combines injection molding, forming, and decoration in a single process. This eliminates the need for upstream thermoforming, painting, and laminating processes, offering potential reductions in energy consumption, resource use, and costs.

Three components are used: A transparent polycarbonate layer for the optical functions, a stabilizing plastic frame made of ABS/polycarbonate, and a polyurethane layer. The latter is applied using a process known as PUR flooding and protects the decoration, microstructures, and surface against scratches and stone chips. Minor scratches can self-heal when exposed to heat. The process implemented for the FrontIQ Light Concept on a KraussMaffei machine is designed for components up to two meters in size, an optimized cycle time of less than 120 seconds, and integration into existing production lines.

The technology also offers various options in terms of material selection. Recycled materials and bio-based components can be used. Potential material solutions include recycled polycarbonate from COVESTRO, recycled PC/ABS materials from SABIC, and bio-based PUR from RÜHL.

About the European Product Design Award

The European Product Design Award (EPDA) is presented annually and is open to international product and industrial designers. The competition covers numerous areas of product design, including Automotive & Transport, Consumer Electronics, Home, and a dedicated category for conceptual designs and prototypes. The award recognizes well-conceived product and concept developments as well as the creative and strategic achievements behind them.