Pininfarina reveals details of new Eurostar design

The consultancy was appointed to the work in April 2009 ahead of Seymour Powell. The Yard Creative has developed designs for the buffet cars for the Eurostar fleet, which will be brought into the Pininfarina designs.

Lowie Vermeersch, design director at Pininfarina, says, ‘We wanted to focus on creating a very pleasant experience to travel in, with a lot of attention to the personal environment, and to be able to adapt the space to relax or work in.

‘We’ve moved towards a more fluid experience both in how you move through the train and in the shapes themselves. We made them closer to the human, emotional experience and away from the industrial.’

Reuben Arnold, head of commercial delivery at Eurostar, says Pininfarina won the contract due to its understanding of travelling customers’ needs and their ‘sense of style and sophistication, and eye for detail’.

He says, ‘It was about innovation, while understanding its practicality.’

The new fleet will be equipped with wi-fi and on-board ‘info-tainment’ available from the traveller’s own devices.

Vermeersch adds, ‘Travel is no longer about getting from A to B. We bring in a lot of sensibility about how design can enhance experience, through the quality and the attention to detail.’

The new designs will roll out between 2012 and 2014.

The current interiors were designed by Philippe Starck. New branding for Eurostar is currently being developed by Someone.