Volkswagen styling boss defends their conservative designs

[Human]

Says flamboyant designs are on the way out

If you thought the 2013 Volkswagen Golf looked a little too familiar, you'd better get used to it as company is sticking with their conservative styling direction.
Speaking with Automotive News, Volkswagen styling guru Walter de' Silva said the days of flamboyant design are over. Instead, he favors a 'clean and simple' philosophy which is timeless.
The design chief also noted that the company's products have a better brand worth as their cars have a higher resale value than models with polarizing styling. As he explained, "There is a certain security in our design. When you know that it keeps the resale value, it's important for a family. That's our intention."

Source: Automotive News

http://www.worldcarfans.com/112092548635/volkswagen-styling-boss-defends-their-conservative-designs

IMO - I agree 100%

 

[Centurion]

Rewind back to 2001-2005 and I would call Audi and VW boring. Today though their philosophy is paying off. Their sedated approach to design is now synonymous with luxury and aspiration, especially when rivals are drawing random lines all over their cars.

 

[Giannis]

Rewind back to 2001-2005 and I would call Audi and VW boring. Today though their philosophy is paying off. Their sedated approach to design is now synonymous with luxury and aspiration, especially when rivals are drawing random lines all over their cars.

They are safe, politically correct and elegant. Yet, I doubt any of the current Audi or VW models will even remotely visually excite me after 2 or 3 years.

On the other hand, the new 1er (for example) will still look weird in a few years. This means that it will still generate some feelings, either positive or negative, still feelings, though.

 

[Centurion]

They are safe, politically correct and elegant. Yet, I doubt any of the current Audi or VW models will even remotely visually excite me after 2 or 3 years.

Neither will they offend you. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and its relative too. Audis and VWs look very good now when Asian manufacturers are overdesigning and off course the hatchbacks by Mercedes and BMW resembles ideas sketched on a napkin during a drunken weekday.

 

[K-A]

I agree with them, and back them up on their philosophy. However, there's a fine line between "simple/pure/elegant" and/or "conservative" and "lifeless/dull/bland".

Mercedes has proven that they lack the design capabilities to draw a riveting car without the obvious ways to desperately seek it: Random nonsensical lines scribbled everywhere to generate opinions. However, VW is too far on the other side, conservative simple can STILL rivet and be full of life and character.

His philosophy makes sense, and IMO it's a jab at Mercedes who were so late to the "flamboyant party", they're like the guy who shows up at 4AM with a case of beers, when everybody's either gone or passed out, yelling "wheeeew, let's start the party!", that they've officially made other designers who are thinking forward.. think forward and past it.

However, VW is doing it wrong. Their cars are characterless, and painfully boring, not attractive, and not sexy in any way. It's as if they're trying to master the art of "generic", which shouldn't be mistaken for "simple/conservative/elegant". Very different things.

 

[Centurion]

However, VW is doing it wrong. Their cars are characterless, and painfully boring, not attractive, and not sexy in any way. It's as if they're trying to master the art of "generic", which shouldn't be mistaken for "simple/conservative/elegant". Very different things.

I wouldn't call this boring, but predictable yes. Better than rival rival Asian manufacturers? Yes

 

[K-A]

I mostly appreciate their designs over Asian manufacturers as well. There's still a clean and concise Germanic/teutonic refinement and calmness to the designs that you don't get from the bubbly and goofy yet more especially-initially interesting offerings from Hyundai and the like.

I think VW are doing it perfectly for what the "Volkswagen brand" are supposed to, actually. It's supposed to be generic/everywhere, easy to swallow, non-offensive, and confidently purposeful. Unlike every other goofy thing coming out these days.

However, I still think that the Jetta and Passat could have been much more enticing WITHOUT having to resort to superfluous and flamboyant detailing. The Passat looks like a strong and good-quality car, but man is it a bland thing, and the proportions are just awful due to making such great functional use of a huge cabin while not extending the overall length to be that of a Large Car.

 

[Deckhook]

On the other hand, the new 1er (for example) will still look weird in a few years. This means that it will still generate some feelings, either positive or negative, still feelings, though.

And you think a design that still generates a feeling of repulsion after a few years is a good thing.

 

[Zafiro]

And you think a design that still generates a feeling of repulsion after a few years is a good thing.

Since not everyone in the whole wide world think 1er is ugly, then it means its okey

 

[Centurion]

I mostly appreciate their designs over Asian manufacturers as well. There's still a clean and concise Germanic/teutonic refinement and calmness to the designs that you don't get from the bubbly and goofy yet more especially-initially interesting offerings from Hyundai and the like.

I think VW are doing it perfectly for what the "Volkswagen brand" are supposed to, actually. It's supposed to be generic/everywhere, easy to swallow, non-offensive, and confidently purposeful. Unlike every other goofy thing coming out these days.

However, I still think that the Jetta and Passat could have been much more enticing WITHOUT having to resort to superfluous and flamboyant detailing. The Passat looks like a strong and good-quality car, but man is it a bland thing, and the proportions are just awful due to making such great functional use of a huge cabin while not extending the overall length to be that of a Large Car.

I agree, the Passat and recently face lifted Passat CC are terribly weak sauce.

 

[K-A]

OHHHHH forgot about the CC facelif even! Indeed, they crushed the life of that car and sucked the soul/character out with one mere facelift.

 

[Deckhook]

Since not everyone in the whole wide world think 1er is ugly, then it means its okey

OK you are the exception to the rule but then again this is what you see in the mirror every morning so it's understandable.





(j/k)

 

[Gianclaudio]

^Haha

Completely agreed with what Walter De Silva says, even if sometimes VAG is borderline boring, but after all, their politics are paying big time.

His philosophy makes sense, and IMO it's a jab at Mercedes who were so late to the "flamboyant party", they're like the guy who shows up at 4AM with a case of beers, when everybody's either gone or passed out, yelling "wheeeew, let's start the party!", that they've officially made other designers who are thinking forward.. think forward and past it.

Well, that's what you get when you have "no-brand" designers vs when you got the best designers in industry like VAG does (Da Silva plus Giugiaro Design) Is a cost cutting thing after all.
Japanese make solid, reliable, ugly cars while italians and british (and to some extend, french) make beautiful, not so solid cars
Germans have always been the ones to have both engineering and aesthetics, but nowadays Daimler have changed that