Frank’s Story – Frank Stephenson Design

Frank Stephenson’s back catalogue reads like a greatest hits of car design.

Will Dron, Sunday Times

If you aren’t already familiar with his name and his work, reading a list of Frank Stephenson’s accomplishments might raise an eyebrow or drop a jaw.

Bryan Campbell, Forbes

Behind the surface brilliance is a considered approach to design and a creative mind constantly pushing frontiers.

Nargess Banks, Wallpaper

To say that Stephenson has put his stamp on the industry would be an understatement

Jonathan Wells, Gentleman’s Journal

This compulsion to create cars has resulted in an extraordinary output since Stephenson’s formal design education ended at ArtCenter College of Design, Pasadena, in 1986.

Steve Cropley, Autocar

Frank is a born designer and design is included in everything he does. He constantly sees design all around him – his mind never rests, always thinking of a better way

Yitzi Weiner, Medium

Chasing Perfect

Chasing Perfect is the untold story of Frank Stephenson, the extraordinary man who revolutionised the Mini and was design director of some of Ferrari’s and McLaren’s most iconic cars. As one of the most influential designers working today, the film tracks through Frank’s ground breaking designs and the story behind them. From high-end hypercars, such as the Maserati MC12 and the McLaren P1 to the reimagined MINI and Fiat 500, and through to his current revolutionary design of flying taxis.

More info on the DVD here

Lilium

From May 2018 – November 2019 Frank was the Creative Director at Lilium Aviation, a German company developing an electric vertical take-off and landing jet (eVTOL).

Suning Intelligent Terminal Technology

In 2018 Frank became the Design Master of Suning Intelligent Terminal Technology Co Ltd (China) 2018.

McLaren

He joined McLaren Automotive as their Design Director in 2008, where he developed the design language and led the designs of the McLaren range up to 2017.

McLaren 570S

The 570S was designed to functionally beautify many radical aerodynamic solutions for the Sport Series segment.

McLaren 675LT

As the ultimate performance version of the 12C and 650S Super Series, the 675LT was designed to be as intimidating and aggressive as its radical dynamic capabilities.

McLaren P1

Moving into the hypercar segment, the P1 was an awesome design opportunity to reimagine aerodynamic solutions based on biomimicry, the science of design intelligence based on nature’s elucidations.

McLaren MP4-12C

The design of McLaren Automotive’s first new-generation supercar had to balance race car engineering with a new and unique aesthetic language.

Fiat

Design Director for Fiat, Lancia, Alfa Romeo and Light Commercial Vehicles in Torino from 2006.

Fiat 500

Designed to modernise the iconic original version with authentic substance while keeping its ultra-Italian urban appeal for a global market, the Fiat 500 had to be love at first sight.v

Ferrari and Maserati

The first ever Design Director for Ferrari and Maserati in Maranello, Italy.

Maserati GranSport

The GranSport was designed as a sportier, edgier upgrade to the Coupe version so as to boost its appeal in the 4 seater performance segment.

Ferrari FXX

Ferrari’s track-only supercar was a limited edition project and designed with the purpose of giving owners the closest feeling to a race car as technically possible.

Maserati MC12

Maserati’s return to competition racing needed a track and road homologated supercar that was designed to raise the bar in its segment, blending flowing dramatic design with aerodynamic efficiency.

Ferrari F430

More than a cold-blooded G-force generator, the F430 was designed to be an alchemy of state-of-the-art technology, performance and desirability.

BMW Group

He joined the BMW Group in Munich, where he designed the X5 and the award-winning New MINI.

MINI

Designed to be the 21st century successor to the original and iconic Mini, the new MINI demonstrated that small cars can stir emotions and offer a pure driving joy experience.

BMW X5

BMW’s first-generation Sport Activity Vehicle was designed as a luxury crossover to springboard the brand to new heights.

Ford Motor Company

Frank Stephenson began his career in 1986 with Ford Motor Company, where he contributed to the design of the Ford Escort RS Cosworth.

Ford Escort Cosworth

Designed to win on the world’s rally stages, and with its mighty whale tail spoiler, the Escort Cosworth has become one of the most iconic fast Fords of all time.

What people say about Frank