Audi appoints new design chief

Just_me · 02-14-2007, 11:59 AM

Audi has appointed the former head of design at Alfa Romeo as its new design chief. Wolfgang Egger takes over from Walter de’Silva, who was promoted to Head of Design at the Volkswagen Group on the first of this month. de’Silva has been one of the most successful designers in recent times and is credited with the full-length front grille that has become the ‘face’ of all Audis.

Wolfgang Josef Egger began his career in 1989 as a designer at Alfa Romeo. Management roles in design took him to Seat nine years later and to Lancia in 2001. With his experience designing some of the most beautiful cars on the planet, we can only assume that Audi has put its design future in good hands.

Harry Plopper · 02-14-2007, 12:34 PM

Meaning what?

Remember when Bangle was "promoted" to a BMW Group chief designer, and van Hooydonk took place as BMW Automobile chief designer nothing much has changed.

Bangle is still the "commander in chief", and the BMW Board of Directors has still a final word on design - approving it, or not.

I guess it will be the same case here with Audi.

Yet I do not know what is a role of VAG Board of Directors in Audi design decision making. Are they involved, or it is only Audi's BoD who makes design decisions?

Anybody knows?

Anyway: I'm sure they have some long-term design strategy they will stick to it in the years to come.

Yannis · 02-14-2007, 12:40 PM

Walter De Silva=VW Group head designer
Wolfgang Egger=Audi head designer

So Da Silva is the one who Egger will have to report.

BTW Andreas forgot to mention that it's an official Audi Press Release.

Alfie · 02-14-2007, 12:58 PM

Audi's designs has only gotten better and better in the past years and mixing some über beauty of Alfas into the mix can't hurt. Looking forward to future models.

Harry Plopper · 02-14-2007, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yannis

Walter De Silva=VW Group head designer
Wolfgang Egger=Audi head designer

So Da Silva is the one who Egger will have to report.

I know that. But if there will be the same situation like in BMW AG De Silva will be still de facto in charge for Audi designs - just like Bangle is for BMW brand (still supervising designs & setting design directons).

But my primary question is what is VAG Board of Directors (BoD) role in Audi design decision making. Who approves the final design of a specific Audi model: Audi BoD or VAG BoD or both?

klier · 02-14-2007, 02:20 PM

^^ I sure hope Audi doesn't have to report to anyone!

cawimmer430 · 02-14-2007, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zonda

Audi's designs has only gotten better and better in the past years and mixing some über beauty of Alfas into the mix can't hurt. Looking forward to future models.

This is basically what I was planning on saying.

I think modern Alfa's have become more aggressive while stil retaining that timeless Alfa look. They're beautiful cars and I really love the big Alfa, the 166. Gorgeous.

Harry Plopper · 02-14-2007, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by klier

^^ I sure hope Audi doesn't have to report to anyone!

So Egger (Audi design chief) will report to De Silva (VAG Group design chief), and De Silva will report back to Audi Board of Directors? Sounds complicated. Or will he report to Winterkorn & other directors in VAG BoD?

Ehhhh ...

What am I thinking?!

Anyway Piech, Winterkorn & Wiedeking dominate the whole concern, so I guess they will still have the final word on everything (incl. Audi future design).

Centurion · 02-14-2007, 02:38 PM

Good news, and hopefully all Audis in the future won't have too similar front ends.

shonguiz · 02-14-2007, 03:17 PM

I thought that there are two big directors in VAg design: The boss of classic pole ( Murat Gunak) and the boss of sport pole (Da Silva), Did they decide to return to the old system ?? Will Da silva be the new harmut warkuss ?

02-14-2007, 11:59 AM	#1 (permalink)
Just_me Expert Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Sweden Posts: 12,612 Thanks: 741 Thanked 2,035 Times in 1,028 Posts	Audi appoints new design chief Audi has appointed the former head of design at Alfa Romeo as its new design chief. Wolfgang Egger takes over from Walter de’Silva, who was promoted to Head of Design at the Volkswagen Group on the first of this month. de’Silva has been one of the most successful designers in recent times and is credited with the full-length front grille that has become the ‘face’ of all Audis. Wolfgang Josef Egger began his career in 1989 as a designer at Alfa Romeo. Management roles in design took him to Seat nine years later and to Lancia in 2001. With his experience designing some of the most beautiful cars on the planet, we can only assume that Audi has put its design future in good hands.

02-14-2007, 12:34 PM	#2 (permalink)
Harry Plopper Oinky Wizard Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 3,770 My Mood: Thanks: 76 Thanked 920 Times in 478 Posts	Re: Audi appoints new design chief Meaning what? Remember when Bangle was "promoted" to a BMW Group chief designer, and van Hooydonk took place as BMW Automobile chief designer nothing much has changed. Bangle is still the "commander in chief", and the BMW Board of Directors has still a final word on design - approving it, or not. I guess it will be the same case here with Audi. Yet I do not know what is a role of VAG Board of Directors in Audi design decision making. Are they involved, or it is only Audi's BoD who makes design decisions? Anybody knows? Anyway: I'm sure they have some long-term design strategy they will stick to it in the years to come.

02-14-2007, 12:40 PM	#3 (permalink)
Yannis Philosopher Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 7,198 My Mood: Thanks: 1,243 Thanked 1,231 Times in 703 Posts	Re: Audi appoints new design chief Walter De Silva=VW Group head designer Wolfgang Egger=Audi head designer So Da Silva is the one who Egger will have to report. BTW Andreas forgot to mention that it's an official Audi Press Release.

02-14-2007, 12:58 PM	#4 (permalink)
Alfie Aficionado Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: La Svezia! Posts: 4,862 My Mood: Thanks: 846 Thanked 870 Times in 527 Posts	Re: Audi appoints new design chief Audi's designs has only gotten better and better in the past years and mixing some über beauty of Alfas into the mix can't hurt. Looking forward to future models.

02-14-2007, 02:20 PM	#6 (permalink)
klier Devotee Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Netherlands Posts: 2,533 My Mood: Thanks: 423 Thanked 126 Times in 81 Posts	Re: Audi appoints new design chief ^^ I sure hope Audi doesn't have to report to anyone!

02-14-2007, 02:38 PM	#9 (permalink)
Centurion Trendsetter Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Sweden Posts: 7,075 Thanks: 595 Thanked 724 Times in 422 Posts	Re: Audi appoints new design chief Good news, and hopefully all Audis in the future won't have too similar front ends.

02-14-2007, 03:17 PM	#10 (permalink)
shonguiz Fanatic Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 1,477 Thanks: 180 Thanked 296 Times in 179 Posts	Re: Audi appoints new design chief I thought that there are two big directors in VAg design: The boss of classic pole ( Murat Gunak) and the boss of sport pole (Da Silva), Did they decide to return to the old system ?? Will Da silva be the new harmut warkuss ?

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