Obituary: Peter Horbury, Proton X70, Volvo, Lotus, And Geely Designer, Dies Aged 72

In memoriam of Peter Horbury [1950 - 2023]. (Image source: Autocar UK)

The global auto design field observes a major loss today following the death of Peter Horbury. The renowned British designer was 73 and reportedly died whilst on a business trip in China to visit his current employers Geely.

In recent years, Horbury was the executive vice-president of design at Group Lotus, and was tasked with providing a link between China Geely group and Lotus – a subsidiary it now owns. Horbury was also head of design for the entire Geely group.

"He passed away earlier this week while visiting colleagues in China, doing what he has always done -- leading, inspiring and mentoring others to challenge conventions and be the best that they can be," reads a press statement issued by Lotus to announce the sad news of Horbury’s passing.

Some of Peter Horbury's greatest hits include the first-gen S60 (top), the first-gen V70 XC (bottom left two), and the striking but also achingly beautiful C30 hatchback (bottom right two).

Born in Newcastle, England in 1950, Horbury graduated from the Royal College of Art in 1974 and began his career with Chrysler UK in the same year. After which, Horbury was installed as design chief at Volvo in 1991, which was where he left arguably his most lasting legacy.

Horbury presenting a radical concept from Volvo some years back. Much of his design inspirations and ethos remains visible in the Swedish marque to this day. (Image source: Reuters)

At the Swedish marque, Horbury’s first 11-year stint as its design chief saw him inspire a whole new look and philosophy for the brand that many lauded to have saved the firm. In fact, much of Horbury’s original design ethos are still visible in many of Volvo’s latest creations.

Some of the Briton’s greatest hits to wear the famed Volvo badge included the first-gen Volvo S60, as well as its first crop of crossover SUV models like the first-gen V70 XC, followed by the XC90, not forgetting the C70 cabrio and the striking – and seemingly well-ageing – C30 hatchback.

Many Malaysians will probably remember Horbury for his efforts designing the Proton X70.

In 2002, Peter Horbury began a seven-year stint as design head of Ford’s Premier Automotive Group design studios that, besides Volvo, covered several brands like Jaguar, Land Rover, and Aston Martin. Horbury then returned to Volvo full-time for a third stint there in 2009, this time under its new owners Geely.

It wasn’t until 2011 that Horbury made the switch to join Chinese auto conglomerate Geely group where he oversaw designs over said group’s rapidly growing number of brands and models until as recently as 2021. Amongst them included a car that perhaps many Malaysians are familiar with – the Proton X70.

The all-electric Lotus Eletre is one of the more recent creations that Horbury oversaw just before his death.

Horbury’s duties at Geely were cut back when Stefan Sielaff, formerly head of design at Bentley, succeeded him in 2021. However, he remained in charge at Lotus where he guided the firm into the EV era, as well as the brand’s expansion into crossovers and GTs, the most significant being the Eletre.