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26 May 2017

Design through the decades: 2010s (so far...)

By Vivek ShahVivek Shah
Even scissor doors make a comeback this decade.

We take a walk through seven decades of the most interesting automotive designs. This week - the '10s, so far...

Check out the other parts in this series:

Design through the decades: 2000s
Design through the decades: 1990s
Design through the decades: 1980s
Design through the decades: 1970s
Design through the decades: 1960s
Design through the decades: 1950s

Jaguar F-Type (2014)

The F-Type is a contemporary interpretation of Jaguar’s sports car roots. The F-Type is a contemporary interpretation of Jaguar’s sports car roots.

Given the financial resources and freedom to undergo a renaissance under Tata ownership, the F-Type is a contemporary interpretation of Jaguar’s sports car roots.

Flowing, sculpted shoulder lines help to define the F-Type's distinctive shape. Flowing, sculpted shoulder lines help to define the F-Type's distinctive shape.

A masterpiece of sports car design, the cab-rearward stance developed by the F-Type’s long dash-to-axle ratio is complemented by flowing, sculpted shoulder lines emanating from the top rear edge of the door. These lines combine with the wide tail-lamps to develop a muscular impression of power, strength and solidity.

Range Rover Velar (2018)

The Velar proves, when distilled to its essence, the SUV can be a remarkably beautiful body style. The Velar proves, when distilled to its essence, the SUV can be a remarkably beautiful body style.

The increasing popularity of SUVs over the last decade has led to the introduction of ‘Coupé’ SUVs. These use swoopy styling to unashamedly overcompensate for the compromise in driving dynamics that a higher ride height brings. The Velar, in contrast, is an unmistakeable, unapologetically traditional SUV which proves that, when distilled to its essence, the SUV can be a remarkably beautiful body style.

The Velar’s design is focused on the low glasshouse and cab-backwards stance. The Velar’s design is focused on the low glasshouse and cab-backwards stance.

The Velar’s design is focused on the low glasshouse and cab-backwards stance, and boldly forgoes the use of extraneous character lines. Flush door handles develop a seamless look and ensure attention remains on the Velar’s timeless, naturally elegant proportions.

Tesla Model S (2013)

The Model S is unencumbered by a heavy engine block and largely constructed of aluminium. The Model S is unencumbered by a heavy engine block and largely constructed of aluminium.

Developed from the ground up to be electric, the Model S is not only stylish in its own right, but offers radical improvements in terms of safety and practicality compared to its combustion-engined competitors.

The Model S incorporates a unique ‘skateboard’ chassis which mounted the battery on the floor of the vehicle. The Model S incorporates a unique ‘skateboard’ chassis which mounted the battery on the floor of the vehicle.

The Model S incorporates a unique ‘skateboard’ chassis which mounts the battery on the floor of the vehicle. Unencumbered by a heavy engine block, the front of the vehicle not only offers extra storage space, but acts as a much larger crumple zone that dramatically increases safety in the event of a frontal collision.

BMW i8 (2015)

An upwardly sculpted character line help to define a space-age supercar. An upwardly sculpted character line help to define a space-age supercar.

Electric propulsion has widely been described as a technology of the future, but perhaps no vehicle this decade has shown it off quite as futuristically as the i8.

Scissor doors define the futuristic look of the i8 Scissor doors define the futuristic look of the i8

The scissor doors, C-pillars that flow into floating rear wings and an upwardly sculpted character line all evidence a space-age supercar that has travelled back in time to the present day. The i8 is futuristic in its construction too, with the liberal use of carbon-fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) enabling many of these styling features.

Ferrari 458 Italia (2011)

The 458 retained a pure, clean shape uncorrupted by side vents, spoilers or unnecessary character lines. The 458 retained a pure, clean shape uncorrupted by side vents, spoilers or unnecessary character lines.

After a series of relatively unremarkable designs in the 360 Modena and F430, the 458 marked a resurgence in Ferrari design for its core supercar range.

Tail lamps placed at the extremities of the 458's rear created a planted stance. Tail lamps placed at the extremities of the 458's rear created a planted stance.

Optimised for aerodynamic efficiency, the 458 nevertheless retains a pure, clean shape uncorrupted by side vents, spoilers or unnecessary character lines. Instead, sculpted haunches accentuated by tail lamps placed at the extremities of the car creates a planted stance that emphasises the 458’s performance potential.

What's your favourite piece of automotive design from this decade? Tell us about it in the comments.