The first thing you see when you look at a car is, well, what it looks like. That’s pretty obvious. So long before people know whether it actually drives well, or if it’s packed with kit, or has a massive boot for your golf clubs, they’ve made a decision on whether they like it, visually.
Video: The 12 best car designers ever
Therefore one of the most important people in the whole process of building a car, whether you are talking about the latest hypercar or the humblest of hot hatches, is the designer.
Some believe that the days of excellent design and beauty are long gone, that regulations or just modern tastes have ruined the car aesthetic. But we would argue that perhaps isn’t correct. Yes many of the greats, whose names adorn the cars we love, were doing their work in the 1960s, ‘70s or ‘80s. But there are also designers today, and through the past two decades, that have been as important or great as those that went before, even if they are less heralded.
We’ve picked the 12 that we think have made the biggest impact on the industry, and no doubt there will be one or two that you just do not agree with, and some that you’ll feel we’ve left out. But the only way to help us next time is to let us know in the comments.

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