8. Car Design

A new car takes years to go from a simple sketch to running off a factory assembly line.

Hundreds of millions of pounds are invested in each new car line and so it is vital that every stage of the design is proven, before going on to the next one.

Extensive modelling of every key part of the car is undertaken by engineers. Models prove how it will perform, how it wears over time, highlights problems with noise and so on.

Computer virtual models are built in 3D so the whole design can be seen before even a scrap of metal is used.