La semplicita

‘THE SIMPLICITY’, WALTER DE SILVA’S CHIEF PRINCIPLE WHEN IT CAME TO DESIGNING THE VW POLO WE KNOW AND LOVE, IS ONE THAT’S BEEN EMBODIED IN EVERY VW SINCE. HERE’S A LOOK BACK AT HIS GREATEST DESIGNS

- SIMRAN RASTOGI

Walter de Silva. A name that’s as familiar, as revered, and as influential as the other big guns in car design. But, perhaps for cars that don’t quite tug at the heartstrings in the same way as a Ferrari, or a Lamborghini does. You see, the Italian, in his over two-decade-long tenure at the VW Group, first as head of design at SEAT, then Audi, before finally becoming the design high overseer for the entire group, has either penned or been instrumental in the design of the cars that you’re bound to see far more often than an exotic, apart from the man’s own quiet demeanour showing through in his designs. The VWs, and the Audis that don’t quite snap heads around to get a glimpse, but elicit a quiet appreciation that makes you go, “Hmm, what a great looking car!”

In fact, with a portfolio that spans the likes of early Alfa Romeos like the 156 and 147, to the Mk5 VW Polo, Mk6/7 Golf, Up!, new Beetle, Audi A5, R8, Q7 and more, de Silva’s designs are perhaps some of the most prolific, with especially strong, recognisable grilles across the brands’ cars being a strong point. Yet, after 15-years as the head of design for the ENTIRE VW Group, having also dabbled in industrial design, with the Leica M9 Titanium camera, and the Luft armchair to his credit, de Silva stepped down to pursue an unrealised passion - designing women’s stilettos! How did he get there? Buckle in for the ride.

The early years