Cars, Motorcycles and Chief Designers at Zollverein: Press Invitation to the Red Dot Award Ceremony 2026

On 7 July 2026, numerous cars and motorcycles that have received a distinction in the Red Dot Award: Product Design 2026 will be presented at the Zollverein UNESCO World Heritage Site. Chief designers and high-ranking representatives of the awarded companies will also be present.

For the automotive trade press, this creates concentrated access to current positions in vehicle design: from exclusive one-offs and limited supercars to electric production vehicles, compact city models, show cars, motorcycles and innovative mobility solutions.

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The following models, among others, provide an impression of this range:

Ferrari SC40
awarded a Red Dot: Best of the Best

Lamborghini Fenomeno
awarded a Red Dot: Best of the Best

BRABUS BODO
awarded a Red Dot

CUPRA Raval
awarded a Red Dot

The vehicles on show are representative of themes currently shaping automotive design: new brand identities, electric mobility, aerodynamics, performance, material innovation and the further development of established design languages.

As a one-off from Ferrari’s Special Projects programme, the Ferrari SC40 stands for creative freedom in sports car design. With the Lamborghini Fenomeno, limited to 29 units, Lamborghini is presenting a vehicle that can be understood as an outlook on the brand’s future formal language. The BRABUS BODO adds another perspective, combining Gran Turismo character, a carbon-fibre body structure and performance-oriented technology.

Models such as the CUPRA Raval show how electric mobility enables new proportions, spatial concepts and aerodynamic solutions. Further cars and motorcycles distinguished in the Red Dot Award: Product Design 2026 will also be presented.

What to Expect

2:00 p.m. | Preview at the Red Dot Design Museum

Accredited media representatives will have exclusive afternoon access to the Red Dot Design Museum as well as to conversations and interviews with design teams and company representatives.

6:00 p.m. | Red Dot Gala at the Aalto Theater

During the Red Dot Gala, the winners of the competition’s highest distinction, the Red Dot: Best of the Best, will be honoured in a celebratory setting. The evening will be hosted by Professor Dr. Peter Zec, founder and CEO of Red Dot, together with members of the international Red Dot Jury.

From 8:30 p.m. | Designers’ Night at Zollverein

Following the award ceremony, the Designers’ Night will take place at the Red Dot Design Museum. The presentation of cars and motorcycles within the industrial setting of the Zollverein UNESCO World Heritage Site will provide opportunities for photo and video coverage.

Interviews and Accreditation

Interview opportunities with chief designers and high-ranking company representatives can be reviewed and coordinated in advance upon request. Prior arrangement is required.

Participation in the event is only possible with official press accreditation. As capacity is limited, we kindly ask you to register in good time via the accreditation form.

We look forward to welcoming you to Essen on 7 July 2026.

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