Interview with VW Design Boss

By Jack Rix

08th January 2009

A former student of the RCA in London, Wouda spent six years in the Czech republic designing for Skoda. Between 2000 and 2006 he worked on projects such as the Roomster and the forthcoming Yeti, before moving to Germany to head up exterior design at the Volkswagen Design Center in Potsdam, near Berlin. Wouda is head of exterior design and team leader for the VW Concept BlueSport project.


What are the defining characteristics of the Concept BlueSport’s design?

The car has a relatively simple architecture – it’s defined by only a few key features such as the prominent wheel arches. Much of the design is horizontal, that is to say there isn’t a significant wedge shape to the profile so it stays connected and parallel to the road.

Does it point the way for the design of other future VW’s?

There are clearly similarities in the front end between the BlueSport and the MK VI Golf, as well as the new Scirroco and the UP! concept. It’s certainly a design language that will be applied across the VW range eventually.

What platform is it based on?

The engineers created and entirely new modular platform to accommodate the mid-engine layout, so it’s not based on anything. In fact, the mid-engine layout is a designers dream, because it allowed us to create a beautifully proportioned shape, with a low bonnet, short overhangs and the passengers seated in the middle of the wheelbase.

Why did you opt for a manual-folding roof?

From the very outset, the BlueSport was designed to be a dream car that was also affordable and kind to the environment. There was massive emphasis therefore on optimising the aerodynamics and keeping the weight down, and a manual roof is much lighter than an electric one. It’s a feeling of getting back to basics and only including the things you really need – much like famous British roadsters of the past.

How likely is it to make production?

We would never show a car that didn’t work or wasn’t feasible to produce. However, whether the BlueSport makes it into production or not will depend entirely on the public’s reaction at Detroit – which I hope will be positive!