INTERIOR designer Kelly Hoppen has teamed up with Honda to design a car aimed at reducing road rage.

She said: "Personally, I have found that car interiors fall into two main categories - leather/luxurious or synthetic/functional.

"When approaching this assignment, I wanted to create an interior that would follow the design ideas I have introduced for the home.

"I experimented with some of the textures I use in my home interiors. I chose soft pliable stretch black fabric, almost like a pair of Prada trousers for the seats and steering wheel, with accents of mock pig skin and a mixture of matt black and brushed steel trim.

"As well as looking good, the touch and feel of these materials bring a new sensitivity to the car interior, something that a woman appreciates. I introduced a simple split vase in the dashboard to hold a single lily or orchid - some classic natural beauty seemed the perfect thing to keep road rage at bay."

A Honda spokesman said: "We will use the special HR-V to gauge reaction. And who knows - if it is favourable, the Kelly Hoppen-designed HR-V interior could be the blueprint for future Honda cars."

Story date: Thursday 21 October

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