Design has always been about more than form. At its core, it embodies emotion and interaction. Just imagine: What if a car could greet you with elegance? What if the front end of a vehicle, often defined by technical restraint, became an emotional interface that is sculptural, communicative, and sustainable? This is precisely what surface design specialist LEONHARD KURZ and Swarovski Mobility have now achieved by developing a headlight design concept that proposes nothing less than a redefinition of front-end identity. The FrontIQ Light Concept will first be unveiled at IAA Mobility 2025 in Munich and is scheduled for live production demonstrations at K 2025 in Düsseldorf. The innovative project merges avant-garde aesthetics with advanced materials, state-of-the-art technology, and circular design thinking.
A vision shared in design and function
At the heart of the FrontIQ Light Concept is a perfectly aligned collaboration. It combines KURZ’s deep expertise in advanced surface decoration and functional integration with Swarovski’s mastery of optical design and crystal craftsmanship. The result is a three-dimensional, lidar-transmissive front module composed of crystal elements, floating light structures, and fine decorative gradients that evolve across layers. It is a piece to be seen and felt while radiating intelligence, motion, and identity through orchestrated illumination.
Unlike conventional lighting concepts that prioritise function alone, the FrontIQ Light Concept blurs boundaries. The interplay of high-quality Swarovski crystals, dynamic light animations, and day-night design suggests a shift from technical to expressive compositions, with light becoming an integral part of the design. “We didn’t want to simply frame a light source. Our goal was to create a narrative in light and develop a composition that communicates, reacts, and leaves a lasting impression,” says Luitpold Haarländer, Global Head of Automotive at KURZ.
Designed for dialogue
The FrontIQ Light Concept invites the viewer to engage and reflect. It combines aesthetic appeal with functional purpose and was developed around the idea of communicative surfaces that can shift meaning with light. Soft transitions, animated signatures, and programmable visual elements create a kinetic design vocabulary.
In addition, the innovative concept offers new opportunities for brand differentiation, as OEMs can choose from a curated palette of textures, transparency levels, crystal structures, and light modes. This approach translates into design freedom and helps strengthen the emotional branding. The FrontIQ Light Concept is not a one-size-fits-all product but a customizable design experience.
Responsibility embedded in design
Visionary design is only as relevant as its sustainability, and this is where KURZ’s extensive expertise plays a crucial role. The entire concept builds on a highly efficient 3K process. The innovative technology integrates decoration, protection, and function in a single manufacturing step. It streamlines production, reduces energy consumption, and eliminates the need for post-decorative steps such as lacquering or additional assembly. The process is compatible with series production and contributes to a measurable reduction in resource consumption and emissions.
The materials used also reflect the idea that sustainability is a top priority. The transparent front element can be made of recycled PC material. The frame can consist of PC/ABS recyclates, and the sealing layer can be produced using a bio-based coating. Every design choice serves a purpose and reflects a commitment to a responsible approach.
Light as an active part of the communication
With the FrontIQ Light Concept, KURZ and Swarovski Mobility have created a future-oriented design that can be integrated into series production today. It will be presented as a visionary concept at IAA Mobility 2025 and manufactured live at K 2025, proving that bold design and sustainable practices can coexist without compromise.
The purpose of the concept is clear, as it aims to initiate new conversations between vehicles and the world around them, with the front end becoming an active voice and part of the communication. “We believe light is becoming the primary language of automotive expression,” Luitpold Haarländer explains. “The FrontIQ Light Concept is our way of making that language responsible and visually inspiring.”
The collaboration between KURZ and Swarovski Mobility has flourished in recent years. With each new cooperation, it has reached milestones in automotive design – from the HMI panel with touch-operated crystals to the steering wheel concept that attracted international attention. With the FrontIQ Light Concept, the partnership enters a new dimension. It shows how identity will no longer be communicated through mechanical components in the age of electrification and autonomous driving. Instead, it will come to life through intelligent surfaces shaped by emotion, intention, and light.
