Reviewing the recent article in the December Automobile Magazine, They draw, We drive, The 25 Most Influential Car Designers Working Today I noted that not one designer was listed for Porsche ? Is the 'Team' that humble or just flying below the press radar ? I'm not referring to the Porsche Design of accessories but the lead designer(s). Who is the Walter De'Silva of the Team and why hasn't the AM noted him or her ? With the recent 918 RSR AM noted "Porsche's engineers" rather then a design lead.

Can anyone enlighten me or suggest a Weblink ? I'd like to send a letter to Automobile Magazine but I need some research.

 

Well, the article seems to be directed mostly at styling as opposed to "design" as in "Porsche Design" (as done by that Porsche subsidiary), at which that company and Porsche are very good.

But Porsche styling, frankly, leaves many people (me included) underwhelmed. The current, recent, and apparently future 911s are very derivative -- not to say they should not be given the iconic nature of the car, but their design will not win any innovation designs: year after year the same basic shape. The Cayman and Boxster are attractive but no one raves about their styling and both also are a bit retro, and the Panamera - well, people don't really mention its styling as a leading feature, do they? You look at the Bentley continental, the Quatroporte, or some Audis and you really do have to think, why can't Porsche make something fresh and really attractive? So, all in all, Porsche definately has shown no proof that it is a styling leader wheras there are some real innovators out there.

 

And that is perfectly fine with most 911 fans. BTW, the changes in the 991 will be significant and will not seat well with many core fans.

 

As a Designer I'd note that there are different types of 'great' design: revolutionary, evolutionary, classic, alpha and beta, as well as clear form to function. I see the accolades for Ferrari's 458 or Audi's R8 as more revolutionary and alpha, verses the Porsche 991 as clear and functional evolution. That doesn't suggest that either is unimportant or second rate.

Still who is the design leader of the Team(s) ?

 

The 911 design is iconic and near perfect. Why change when you have a winner?

 

My Porsche grows on me more and more.. just a stunning vehicle.

 

911 = classic

I'm glad that they haven't messed with the look too much (other than the 996 which I never liked)

Having said that I think the Panamera and 1st gen Cayennes are seriously unattractive.

 

There are a lot of us who just can't bring ourselves to drive a flambouyant, show-off design. I particularly appreciate "sleeper" designs...something that looks conservative--something you'd ignore, but flies like a bat of of h3ll.

 

Sure there are bad Porsche 'lumps' but yet the article mentions BMW's w/o hitting Bangle. Or Ford's May; he's missed many opportunities. I think the excuse for the omission is the 'Team' approach dims the stars. My point is that No one at Porsche was cited.

 

Agree

 

Jeremy Clarkson called the Porsche design team the laziest in the world since the 997 looked so similar to the 996 (even though everything except the roof panel was new). I was parked next to a 911E earlier this week and it's remarkable to see the evolution of a 48 year car design side by side. So I would agree that for contemporary designers, Porsche is not very influential, but Porsche's influence of 48 years ago is still felt today.

 

I love the changes for the 2012 year... They may seem like subtle changes but they're massive upgrades in styling... I love the new car...

 

Each day we meet and drive, I learn a little bit more about one of my best friends.