Andreas Zapatinas
Introduce
Andreas Zapatinas, born in 1957 in Athens, Greece, is a renowned automobile and industrial designer with an impressive career spanning several iconic automotive brands. He has worked on the design of numerous vehicles, contributing significantly to the automotive landscape.
Zapatinas graduated in 1986 from the prestigious Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California. He began his professional career in 1988 at Centro Stile Fiat, where he worked until 1994. During this time, he was the chief exterior designer of the Fiat Barchetta, as well as contributing to the design of the Fiat Coupé and Alfa Romeo 145. His work on these models showcased his ability to blend practicality with striking aesthetics, leaving a lasting influence on Fiat’s design direction.
In 1994, Zapatinas followed Chris Bangle to BMW, where he made significant contributions to the company’s design language. Notably, he was involved in the design of the E59, a concept study for a production 5 Series coupe, which introduced new surface themes and volume architecture. He also pioneered the iconic “Angel Eyes” headlight concept, which would become a hallmark of BMW’s design. Zapatinas’ proposal for a compact 2-door coupe also inspired the first-generation BMW 1 Series, particularly the coupe and cabrio versions.
Zapatinas joined Alfa Romeo in 1998 as chief designer at Centro Stile Alfa Romeo, where he directed several high-profile projects, including the 156 GTA and 147 GTA. He was also responsible for the restyling of the Alfa Romeo 166 and 156 Sportwagon, reinforcing his expertise in both design and production.
In 2002, he moved to Subaru as Head of Advanced Design, working on the interior of the Subaru Tribeca and directing the design of concept vehicles like the Subaru R1e. His influence also extended into industrial design when he began working with KLEEMANN Lifts in 2006, transforming the lift experience into something futuristic.
As of 2010, Zapatinas expanded his reach further by joining Changan Automobile, where he continues to shape the future of automotive design. His career reflects his versatile design expertise, leaving a lasting legacy in both automotive and industrial sectors.
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