We'd like to introduce you to Exequiel Di Salvo, Head of Design at W Motors!

Join us in this quick interview as Exequiel takes us in an exclusive view behind the scenes, and tells us the secrets of what goes into designing a top of the line supercar!

Can you tell us a little about your background and how you ended up in w motors? 

With a passion for car design which ignited at a young age, I was always very curious and dedicated most of my time to sketching all sorts of automotive concepts. Coming from a home with a tradition of watching racing every Sunday and reading countless car magazines, I drew inspiration from the dynamic world of motorsports and engineering. Thus, the love for art and automotive design came naturally. 

I hold a BA in Industrial design which gave me a solid foundation in user centred design and then pursued a master’s degree in Transportation design in Italy. This experience allowed me to acquire the necessary skills to become a well-rounded car designer, covering everything from sketching to 2D visualization and 3D modelling. By integrating these skills, I built a strong portfolio along with a couple of proposals for future W concepts, ultimately fulfilling my dream of becoming a car designer and part of the W motors team. 

Can you explain your role as head of design at W motors? 

Having been in W Motors for some time and working on various projects, I have been fortunate to now oversee and guide the design team in developing our vehicle programmes and ensuring the overall goals and direction of the company are achieved. Especially for our hypercars, setting the general design vision and making sure it aligns with the brand identity is key to the development of concepts that reflect, where the company came from and where it is headed. This also requires the constant communication with different departments, primarily engineering which makes sure the designs are feasible and align with business objectives. We are also engaged in a range of projects across various sectors, including industrial, security and passenger vehicles coming with their own demands, which are also designed and monitored by the design team. 

How do you balance the aesthetic design with the technical performance demands of a hypercar? Design follows function, or the opposite? 

The technological layout and aerodynamic needs of a hypercar should always lead the design. This is crucial, as the design elements must be and not appear to be in terms of functionality and purpose. In our case, we have a high performing vehicle incorporating quite a unique design language. This challenges the way we designers solve the body treatments, to fulfil the technical requirements. Having quite an aggressive and sculpted body on the Fenyr, constant aerodynamic simulations were required to improve the efficiency and overall performance. This was necessary to have good airflow around and over the car for cooling, to then providing enough downforce to the rear spoilers. Maintaining a balance of our strong design cues with the functional needs of the vehicle is fundamental and never compromised. We like to see these hurdles in any project, as a design opportunity to satisfy the need. 

How long is the process from when you start the design of a project, and the moment it goes into production? 

Every project differs in terms of its complexity and demands. Our process usually consists of a design phase where many initial ideas are presented through loops, and then condensed to a few key proposals. A final idea is then selected which becomes the project intent, this must be protected at all costs through the duration of the project, to then translate it into something realizable. With engineering and the different departments involved, a working prototype will be made and presented, with the goal of later creating a full-fledged production car. Revisions on the car through testing and CFD are performed after the prototype, for the final production design. This process for us would typically take around 16 months.

How do you approach the challenge of innovating in a sector that is so traditionally based on engineering and extreme performance?

 We seek to position our vehicles in a niche of their own, combined by high performance and advanced opulence. Setting it apart from the traditional hypercar, typically chasing performance figures. This formula allows the brand to be seen as quite innovative through design impact and exclusivity. Just like owning a rare diamond or bespoke watch, adding to collectors’ desirability. Innovations in materials have also significantly impacted design across various fields. With the rapid progress in 3D printing technologies and moulding processes, its quite limitless the intricacies of forms we can achieve for design. 

What was your inspiration when working in the Fenyr Supersport?

I’ve had the privilege to be involved in the Fenyr project when starting with W Motors, to then being responsible for the final production car. Primarily, we have carried out several volume adjustments to achieve better balance and establish the proper proportions, to then ensuring the linguistic codes follow the technical and aerodynamic layout. Fenyr aims to be the more performance-focused counterpart to the Lykan, while still preserving its luxurious appeal. The two extremes of raw performance and cutting-edge luxury, define the vehicle's true essence, highlighting the interplay of contrasts. This can be seen in the sci-fi and supernatural worlds which we cultivate influences from, leading to fresh approaches to design. The inspirations in design are not always as direct as people may think, but rather the result of a carefully thought-out process. 

The Fenyr Supersport came out in 2017, and its design is still perceived as a futuristic car, where do you see W motors designs going in the future? 

Given our brief history, we take pride in witnessing W Motors gain widespread recognition globally. Our hypercars are seen as very distinctive, adapting quite expressive forms with a strong attitude. This reflects our core DNA, which remains essential, and upholding our original values is crucial for our brands success. Having said this, it is important to look to the future and always innovate in all sectors, whether in materials, design language or technology. Our future design philosophy will be driven by performance, bold design with pure lines and a new benchmark in user experience. With the advent of AI and technological innovations, we will focus in achieving an ideal balance between the analogue and digital elements to enhance driving engagement where necessary. We continually strive to push boundaries by creating cars which are unexpected and challenge the status quo. 

What advice do you have for aspiring designers looking to join a prestigious brand like w motors? 

Having the drive to keep pushing forward and never give up is essential.  While ‘passion’ is a widely used term in car design, I believe that having a genuine enthusiasm for your work is not just a privilege, it also encourages the dedication necessary for a designer to remain persistent and truly enjoy their craft. Furthermore, it is always important to research and have a deep understanding of the brand in order to increase the chances of success in joining a design studio. There’s nothing quite like creating things that embody one’s character and soul, evoking emotions in both yourself and others.