My top 3 car designs of 2011:

My top 3 car designs of 2011 – 08 September 2011: Automobile designing is about form and function. It is an art and science at the same time. Design, aesthetics and functionality go hand in hand and it is the first thing I look for in a car. It’s important for a car to be pleasing to the eye at the first instance, as you never get a second chance to make a first impression.One of my favourite designers is Chris Bangle. He is the first American chief designer for BMW and one of the most widely known car designers in the world. He has designed the current BMW generation in such a way that all models bear a slight resemblance of each other, and at the same time are quite different from one another. He once famously said, “an automobile is what I drive, a car is what I am.” How true!

Car design is also the first process in the manufacturing of a car, based on which the car eventually gets made. The very first stage is making a sketch of the design concept. Then a miniature model (of clay or industrial plasticine) of the car is made and put through a wind tunnel to make it more aerodynamic. Then comes the scale model, prototype, computer aided design and computer modeling. Next is the concept car and if it gets a good response, it goes into production.

Very few cars are fortunate enough to have aesthetics in adequate measure. And a rare handful have loads of it. Here is my list of a few that I think are beautifully crafted. Art on wheels is how I would describe them.

Kia Optima 2011:
Priced at around US$25000, it certainly is no premium or exclusive car. But it still is an extremely good looking car for me. The sharp lines and the extremely aerodynamic looks make it the most beautiful car in it’s segment.

Kia Optima 2011

Ferrari 458 Italia:
This one certainly is an exclusive and premium car, and at the same time an extremely beautiful one. Pininfarina have done a great job with the exterior designing and as always, this has come out to be a gorgeous looking Ferrari.

Ferrari 458 Italia

Audi R8:
As it’s my favourite car, I ought to like it! And I’m sure many people around the world like it too. A hit among celebrities, Audi have designed it so aggressively, that it has become one of the best looking cars in the world.

Audi R8