13. Walter De Silva
VW Group chief designer
Returning VW design to its roots
2008 Rank: 10
Influence on many cars: De Silva gained recognition for this Alfa Romeo 147, and Volkswagen snapped him up to be chief designer for its Alfa-fighter, SEAT.
And he quickly moved up: Then, after a stint at Audi (A6, Q7, new TT, R8, and A4/A5/S5), was picked to lead design at VW Group.
Bangle-like controversy: Credit DeSilva for Audi's single-frame grille.
Look to the Passat CC? No. As handsome as that automobile is, it's a one-hit wonder. De Silva's new design language returns VW cars back to simpler graphics.
Examples? See the Mk VI Golf.
Why that's a good thing: Consider that Alfa 147. De Silva understands how design can define brand image and how brand defines design language. The new Golf shows that, with subsequent VWs, De Silva will design from brand equity created by the Beetle and Mk1 Golf.
Next big challenge: Make the Up!-based minicar line appear modern and distinctively VW.
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