GERMAN INNOVATION AWARD 2024

GOLD for the innovative Rear End Cover

With its innovative Automotive Rear End Cover concept, LEONHARD KURZ has proven that individual design and maximum functionality can be perfectly fused into smart surfaces. The concept won GOLD in the ‘Excellence in Business to Business: Automotive Technologies’ category. This means that the innovation, which has already been honored with the iF Design Award 2024, can celebrate yet another success.

The requirement

In the future, decorative and functional surfaces will merge even more. This is already becoming apparent today. The trend is toward smooth and homogeneous surfaces that enable car-to-x communication and set the course for autonomous driving. For manufacturers, it means staying one step ahead of market requirements in order to position themselves as a pioneer in the field of mobility. Material selection is of particular importance here, as sustainability counts just as importantly as perfect workability and recyclability.

The solution

The impressively dimensioned Rear End Cover measuring 85.29 x 25.27 x 7.7 cm is produced in a single production step in 60 to 70 seconds. It combines backlighting and translucency with intelligent sensor technology for integrated functionality. The interdisciplinary design team from KURZ pulled out all the stops and perfectly coordinated the various elements of the component. Two different materials that can be processed together in the innovative 2K IMD process and are backlit - without any unwanted light scattering. Sophisticated lighting concepts that achieve impressive 3D effects. Radar-permeable and 5G-compatible metallization based on chrome and indium, which does not impair the recyclability of the component. Ultra-thin sensor technology for maximum comfort. The trunk can be opened by simply touching it, for example. The rear panel was designed in line with the theme ‘designed for recycling’ and can be recycled as a whole.