One of the key selling points to any car’s success is its design. Even if the brand of a car is unknown, with the help of a good design, it can grab positive attention from the most discerning of critics. This focus on beauty is the main reason so many brands invest millions of dollars in design studios.

One of the most important steps toward the success of any project is to get the design right. It should not be pretentious but also should not be too bland. Nowadays, automobile designing is one of the toughest jobs in the industry. People who can draw and have passion for automobiles simply cannot call themselves a designer. It takes a certain skillset and experience to make a mark. The toughest part in designing a vehicle is balancing key elements such as aerodynamics with modern design that pays homage to the brand’s original design language. Take for instance the Jaguar->ke39 F-Type. It’s a car that, Chief designer Ian Callum says, ushers in a whole new design language for the Leaping Jag while still keeping certain elements of the legendary E-Type alive. Customers of today’s world not only want a head-turning design but also a design that is recognizable.

This year, we have witnessed quite a few cars that have amazed the public through soulful beauty without compromising on aerodynamics and brand image. Here is a list of five cars that we think are the most beautiful cars, launched this year.

Aston Martin Vanquish

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Known to be the spiritual successor of the original Ian Callum-designed Vanquish, which was featured in the Bond flick "Die Another Day,” some elements of its predecessor are instantly recognizable in the Marek Reichman-designed 2013 Vanquish->ke1316. For those who don't know who Reichman is, he was responsible for the outstanding design of the One-77. Hence, the One-77-like design of certain elements, such as the taillights and the chrome side strikes that extend through the door. Though it's often criticized as an Aston Martin DB9 with a few scoops and slashes, the Vanquish up-close just looks absolutely desirable and energetic, a characteristic that is standard for just about any Aston Martin. It definitely stays true to the three words that pop-up when you start-up any Aston Martin: power, beauty and soul.

Jaguar F-Type Roadster

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With a charismatic and beautiful design, the Jaguar F-Type->ke1224 pays homage to the legendary E-Type. It retains the concept CX-16 design that wowed many enthusiasts worldwide, calling it “the most beautiful Jaguar since the E-Type.” The design not only shows agility and power but also emanates true British design that Jaguar was once famous for.

Just like the E-Type, it showed that the Italian brands aren't the only ones who knew how to make cars that are both beautiful and fast.

BMW 6-series GranCoupe

During the Chris Bangle era, BMWs weren't really considered sexy or beautiful. They were just simply regarded as good cars. Bear in mind that a good car need not be a beautiful car. Though the design wasn't hideous to look at, it also wasn't something that an owner would look forward to in a day. That was until Nader Faghihzadeh, a 36-year-old Iranian-German car designer took over Bangle’s post as chief designer. His contributions to the German giant have proven to be a turning point in what has thus far been a rather exciting post-Bangle era.

The 6-series GranCoupe is a Bimmer that can be described as simply stunning. It is basically a 6-series coupe with two extra doors. Of-course, if you describe the car that way, people will just consider it as a recipe gone wrong. But at the mere sight of the car, they will be proved wrong. If the pictures don't do justice, visit your nearest BMW showroom and take a look.

Ferrari F12berlinetta

How can such a list be made without a Ferrari in it? Launched at the Geneva Motor Show 2012 as the spiritual successor to the 599 GTB, the Ferrari F12berlinetta->ke4223, impressed the crowd with its sleek and sexy design. Pininfarina -- the man responsible for the magnificent design -- wanted to design the car in such a way that while it pays homage to the early 250 GTs with no compromise in aerodynamics. At the Motor Show, people were convinced that Pininfarina pulled off the feat. With a design that emanates Italy's passion for speed and beauty and carefully sculpted scoops and fenders that allowed for smooth airflow and maximum downforce, the F12berlinetta, in every aspect, is a supercar truly deserving the Ferrari badge.

SRT Viper

SRT's main aim for the design of the Viper SRT10->ke1404 was to bring back the old design, add a few modern touches and make it as aerodynamic as possible. The result is a design that is not only instantly recognizable as a Dodge Viper but also sleeker and more aerodynamic than the previous generation. SRT took special care not to reinvent the wheel with the new Viper, as it opted to bring back the classical low-stance and the extreme cab rearward proportions that have become the unmistakable silhouette of the iconic supercar, next to the dramatic fender "gills" – another traditional Viper design cue -- that help extract heat from the engine compartment. Essentially the new Viper looks strikingly similar to the 2010 model, from the side profile, but from the front, it simply looks amazing.