De Silva, Audi TT mk2 and Marylin Monroe

Audi TT MK 2 and… Marilyn Monroe

During the strategic product meeting (MPSK: Model Produkt Strategie Konzern), Ulrich Hackenberg, aka ‘Hacky’ for his friends and enemies, and great chief engineer of Audi R&D (Research and Development), informed us and presented the new packaging to be examined for the future TT / MK2. The new rules and regulations and the new technical aspects of the advanced chassis proved to be very critical in the proportions, distorting the original model, which had been highly appreciated for its compactness, uniqueness and iconic design. TT: that is, two well-separated bodies, ‘cockpit and body’, clearly inspired by aeronautics.
With Gerd Pfefferle, a few days later, I physically observed the measurements, on a model for the proportions with a provisional design and we had a real shock! the car was completely disproportionate.

We found it difficult to make ourselves understood, because not everyone realized that the architecture didn’t work. The TT’s strong personality had been seriously compromised. It was necessary to intervene with a lot of sensitivity and a rush of adrenaline!

I resorted to a stratagem (a curious anecdote that I described at the press presentation of the TT, in Zell am See, in 2006). I had a photo of Marilyn Monroe printed in full height and scale and we pasted the image of the beautiful actress onto cardboard. The proportions of the body were perfect, statuary, even if she was no higher than 165 cm. During the technical meeting, I asked with decision and firmness that perfect proportions were needed for the TT, to give balance and personality to the model and, to everyone’s surprise, I invited them all to solve the quiz. “Do you know Marilyn Monroe?”. Of course, she was beautiful! “But can you tell me how tall the splendid American actress was?”. Everyone responded amused, but no one gave the answer as below 175 cm. I hugged the photo I had hidden behind the door and said “165 cm!”. Everyone understood the importance of proportions!!

How is the style of a car created?
How does one get to the top of the “Design” division of a major car manufacturer, a sector that is continually under “friendly fire” from the entire management staff, including presidents and CEOs, because style lends itself to diverse interpretations?
These questions are answered by Walter De Silva, a designer of indisputable fame, with top-level experience in an impressive number of brands: Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Audi, Seat, Volkswagen, Skoda, Lamborghini, Bentley and Bugatti, as well as direct contacts in Ducati and Porsche.