Traditional design at heart of car makers' art

By Donn Anderson

Computers still do not replace traditional methods when it comes to car design, according to Rover's Gerry McGovern.

"We do not do all design work with computers," he says. "In pure design we still use traditional methods.

"If you use computers throughout [the design process] you end up with a mechanical look," says McGovern, chief designer on the MGF and Freelander.

Now he is studio director for Land Rover design and hard at work on the next generation Range Rover. McGovern cannot hide his enthusiasm for the shape of the next Range Rover.

He says designers can get through to as high level in a company like Rover and still be "hands-on."

During the design stage, the use of clay models is still important. "Design is a process of continual change and clay gives us the ability to make changes," says McGovern.

He describes Land Rover as having a unique heritage. "We are producing benchmark models with styling from a functional base," he says.

Design of Land Rovers need to have a common look: people should be able to recognise the vehicles without any badging.

"The Freelander wanted to look like an off-roader - that's why the wheelarches are in neutral colour and not body colour."

McGovern points out that the spare wheel mounted on the rear of the Freelander is a focal point, a piece of jewellery.

This is why he is annoyed when dealers fit wheel-covers - accessories which detract from the overall appearance.

Design and engineering have to be linked, although the marriage is not always happy. For example, when the engineers got the mechanical packaging right on the MGF, the car's nose was too long.

McGovern dislikes the word "styling" and prefers "design."

He sees more opportunities for Land Rover but understands there is a problem with Rover cars being overshadowed by the four-wheel-drive marque.

"Design is at the heart of the car maker. If this isn't right, then all the investment is lost," says McGovern.

He's a man with a passion for his job. And he'd relish the chance to doing something like a quad bike for Land Rover, a machine that could fit in with the off-road versatility of the brand. - AUTOMOTIVE NEWS