Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[The Big Mac: British design student pens McLaren F1 successor]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/15/the-big-mac-british-design-student-pens-mclaren-f1-successor/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/15/the-big-mac-british-design-student-pens-mclaren-f1-successor/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/15/the-big-mac-british-design-student-pens-mclaren-f1-successor/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


McLaren LM5 design study by Matt Williams - Click above for image gallery

Since hiring Frank Stephenson as its styling chief last year, the nascent McLaren Automotive hasn't been lacking for design talent. But the general consensus over his first design at Woking seems to be that the MP4-12C is missing a touch of originality to set it apart from other supercars. Enter one Matt Williams, a recent graduate of the transportation design program at England's Coventry University who thinks he can do a better job with the study you see here.

Positioned above the MP4-12C in McLaren's product porfolio, the LM5 concept is envisioned as a successor to the venerable McLaren F1. That means three seats across, with a central driving position. That means power provided by BMW's M division; a retuned version of company's soon-to-be-retired 5.0-liter V10 in this case. And of course, that means epic performance. Unfortunately, it's just a concept car, extant only in the clay and CAD. So for now, we'll just have to sit and wait to see what Stephenson and his colleagues at McLaren cook up next, admiring the images in the gallery below in the meantime.


Gallery: McLaren LM5 design study by Matt Williams


[Source: Diseno-art.com]

The Big Mac: British design student pens McLaren F1 successor originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 15 Oct 2009 13:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>concept carConceptCarCoventryCoventryUniversitydesign studyDesignStudyfrank stephensonFrankStephensonlm5maclarenmatt williamsMattWilliamsmclarenmclaren f1mclaren lm5mclaren mp4mclaren mp4-12cMclarenF1MclarenLm5MclarenMp4MclarenMp4-12cThu, 15 Oct 2009 13:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Return of the Mac: successor to McLaren F1 in the works]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/01/return-of-the-mac-successor-to-mclaren-f1-in-the-works/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/01/return-of-the-mac-successor-to-mclaren-f1-in-the-works/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/01/return-of-the-mac-successor-to-mclaren-f1-in-the-works/#commentsFiled under:


McLaren F1 LM - Click above for a high-res gallery

With all the resources that McLaren is pouring into launching its new road-car division, you can bet the P11 (targeted at the likes of the Ferrari F430 and Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4) won't be the only product on offer. Back in February, reports surfaced that McLaren is working on a smaller P8 to rival the Porsche 911 and Audi R8, but the latest news sounds even more tantalizing. Frank Stephenson, the lauded designer which McLaren hired to spearhead the styling of its new line of supercars, has revealed that the company is working on a replacement for the legendary McLaren F1 supercar.

The original, powered by a BMW-sourced 6.0-liter V12 with over 600 horsepower, shattered records and quickly seized the top step of the supercar ladder in the earlier 90's, and stayed there for years. Its successor promises to be just as revolutionary, with power provided by a retuned version of Mercedes AMG's 6.2-liter V8 modified by Mahle (formerly part of Cosworth) with an eye on the Bugatti Veyron and Koenigsegg CCX in terms of price and performance. As for what it'll look like, Stephenson says he's starting from a blank sheet of paper, so we'll have to sit tight and see what he cooks up for us.


Gallery: McLaren F1 LM


[Source: AutoWeek and Autocar]

Return of the Mac: successor to McLaren F1 in the works originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 Apr 2009 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>frank stephensonFrankStephensonmclarenmclaren f1MclarenF1Wed, 01 Apr 2009 13:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Spy Shots: McLaren P11 supercar spied in the snow]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/03/spy-shots-mclaren-p11-supercar-spied-in-the-snow/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/03/spy-shots-mclaren-p11-supercar-spied-in-the-snow/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/03/spy-shots-mclaren-p11-supercar-spied-in-the-snow/#commentsFiled under: ,


Click above for high-res gallery of McLaren P11 spy shots

We brought you similar spy shots of the McLaren P11 supercar undergoing cold weather testing a few days ago, but now we have our own high-res shots to share. Though the clean sheet redesign of McLaren's Ferrari fighter is obscured by camo and cladding, the basic shape and some design elements are clearly visible. You can browse the high-res gallery below yourself and pick out what cues the P11 may be borrowing from other supercars. The car's designer, Frank Stephenson, is also rumored to be baking roadster and racing variants into the car's new design. Another thing that the P11 will borrow is its engine, which is rumored to be a version of the 6.2L V8 used by Mercedes-Benz in its high performance AMG cars. Power is expected to be in the 550-600 range, with the car's overall curb weight rumored to be less than 3,000 lbs. McLaren is nearing the end of its commitment with Mercedes for the McLaren SLR, a car that is most assuredly fast but still not allowed in the super car club. The P11 will be more like a spiritual successor to the famous F1 that still reigns as one of the greatest super cars of all time. Whether or not the P11 can fill those shoes remains to be seen, but based on these spy shots, it will most definitely look the part.

Gallery: McLaren P11 - spy shots


[Source: KGP Photography]

Spy Shots: McLaren P11 supercar spied in the snow originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Feb 2009 12:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>frank stephensonFrankStephensonmclarenmclaren p11MclarenP11p11spy picsspy shotsSpyPicsSpyShotsTue, 03 Feb 2009 12:34:00 EST<![CDATA[McLaren P11 supercar goes under the knife again before 2010]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/04/mclaren-p11-supercar-goes-under-the-knife-again-before-2010/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/04/mclaren-p11-supercar-goes-under-the-knife-again-before-2010/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/04/mclaren-p11-supercar-goes-under-the-knife-again-before-2010/#commentsFiled under:

We reported ex-Fiat boss Frank Stephenson was tasked with a clean-sheet redesign of the upcoming McLaren supercar, codenamed the McLaren P11, just two months ago. Now we are hearing word that the exotic has been totally redesigned and is scheduled for a launch in 2010. Prototypes of the two-seat, mid-engined coupe (and convertible) are in testing as you read this.

Both body styles are reportedly built on a carbon fiber tub with aluminum front and rear subframes. Weight is expected to be less than 3,000 pounds, making it one of the lightest high-performance cars on the road (the current Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren coupe, more than a bit on the porky side, tips the scales about 750 pounds heavier). Power for the supercar is expected to come from a 550-hp V8 built by famed engine builder Mahle.

Now that the design of the P11 is theoretically set in stone, McLaren needs to find a factory in which to build it. Sites across Europe, including those in Italy, Austria, and Britain, are being considered. Insiders say the factory will announce their manufacturing decision next summer.

[Source: Autocar]

McLaren P11 supercar goes under the knife again before 2010 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 04 Nov 2008 17:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ExoticFrank StephensonFrankStephensonMcLarenmclaren f1mclaren p11mclaren-mercedesMclarenF1MclarenP11Mercedes-Benz SLR McLarenMercedes-benzSlrMclarenP11SupercarTue, 04 Nov 2008 17:03:00 EST<![CDATA[McLaren P11 supercar goes back to the drawing board... in two months]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/27/mclaren-p11-supercar-goes-back-to-the-drawing-board-in-two-mo/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/27/mclaren-p11-supercar-goes-back-to-the-drawing-board-in-two-mo/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/27/mclaren-p11-supercar-goes-back-to-the-drawing-board-in-two-mo/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The McLaren P11 will still be powered by a 6.2-liter Mercedes AMG unit, but nobody knows yet what the car that goes around the engine is going to look like. Frank Stephenson, recently of Fiat fame, has been given instructions to completely redesign the car when he starts at McLaren. However, he can't take up the position at McLaren until he finishes his "gardening leave," a mandatory vacation between sensitive jobs that aims to prevent employees from taking their inside knowledge with them.

McLaren says that the car won't look anything like the sketches that made the rounds last year. That's not such a bad thing -- while a good looking car, the sketches were uninspiring and a bit derivative. We expect that the man who has had a hand in everything from the BMW X5 and MINI to the Ferrari F430, Maserati Quattroporte and MC12 probably has a few good ideas left lying around. Unfortunately, the arrival of the P11 has been pushed back a year due to the redesign, to probably mid-to-late 2010.

[Source: Autocar]

McLaren P11 supercar goes back to the drawing board... in two months originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 27 Aug 2008 12:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>coupecoupesfrank stephensonFrankStephensonmclarenmclaren p11MclarenP11p11supercarsupercarsWed, 27 Aug 2008 12:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Frank Stephenson to direct McLaren design]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/08/frank-stephenson-to-direct-mclaren-design/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/08/frank-stephenson-to-direct-mclaren-design/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/08/frank-stephenson-to-direct-mclaren-design/#commentsFiled under: ,

Based only on his work to date, history would remember Frank Stephenson as one of the most influential automotive designers of our time. He's credited with the resurrection of the retro hatch - having designed the MINI, Fiat 500 and Alfa MiTo - in addition to a portfolio of lust-worthy supercars for Ferrari and Maserati. It came as a surprise when the American-raised designer left his post as head of the Centro Stile Alfa Romeo, shortly after the Fiat Group hired former Pininfarina designer Lorenzo Ramaciotti to oversee styling for the entire group, and a big question mark had been left lingering over where he would head next.

Questions demand answers, and in due course this has received its own. Emerging reports now indicate that Frank Stephenson is going to McLaren to head up a new design team for its road car division. The development is an interesting one for McLaren, which used its F1 engineers to direct the styling of its previous road cars. However as the company strives to distance itself from Mercedes-Benz in the wake of the departing SLR, it is clear that McLaren hopes to run in the big leagues and go head-to-head with the likes of Ferrari, Lamborghini et al. Following in the footsteps of Gordon Murray is no mean feat, but we'll be looking forward to seeing what Stephenson and McLaren have in store for us next. Hats off to Trevor for the tip!

[Source: Car Design News]


Frank Stephenson to direct McLaren design originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 08 Aug 2008 10:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>frank stephensonFrankStephensonmclarenmclaren designMclarenDesignstephensonFri, 08 Aug 2008 10:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Christopher Reitz named as new Alfa design chief]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/07/christopher-reitz-named-as-new-alfa-design-chief/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/07/christopher-reitz-named-as-new-alfa-design-chief/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/07/christopher-reitz-named-as-new-alfa-design-chief/#commentsFiled under: ,

Alfa Romeo has announced Christopher Reitz as its new head of design, succeeding Frank Stephenson who announced his departure last week. Reportedly a relative of the Porsche family, Reitz started his career at Volkswagen after graduating from the Art Center Europe in Switzerland. From there, he moved on to head Audi's Advance Design department before defecting to Nissan and then on to the Fiat Group.

The big question, however, remains over where the multi-talented Frank Stephenson will head next. Among his other creations, Stephenson is known as the father of the retro hatch, having designed both the MINI and the Fiat 500.

[Source: Car Design News via Inside Line]

Christopher Reitz named as new Alfa design chief originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 07 Apr 2008 08:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alfa romeo centro stilealfa romeo designAlfaRomeoCentroStileAlfaRomeoDesignchristopher reitzchristopher reitz alfa romeoChristopherReitzChristopherReitzAlfaRomeofrank stephensonfrank stephenson alfa romeoFrankStephensonFrankStephensonAlfaRomeoMon, 07 Apr 2008 08:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Design guru Frank Stephenson leaving Alfa Romeo]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/02/design-guru-frank-stephenson-leaving-alfa-romeo/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/02/design-guru-frank-stephenson-leaving-alfa-romeo/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/02/design-guru-frank-stephenson-leaving-alfa-romeo/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Iconic automobile designer Frank Stephenson is on the move again. After six years in the Fiat Auto Group, Stephenson is stepping down from his position as head of design for Alfa Romeo. Stephenson denies the conclusion that he's leaving Fiat because of Lorenzo Ramaciotti, the former Pininfarina design chief sho Fiat coaxed out of retirement to head its group design.

Stephenson is widely known as the father of the retro-hatch, having designed the MINI while at BMW before designing the Fiat 500, Alfa Mi.To and, it's speculated, the upcoming Lancia Ypsilon. Stephenson also had a hand in designing cars as diverse as the original BMW X5, Maserati MC12 and Quattroporte, and Ferrari F430 and 612 Scaglietti. With a portfolio like his, the big question is where he will turn up next, a subject on which the American-educated designer remains mum.

[Source: AutoWeek]

Design guru Frank Stephenson leaving Alfa Romeo originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Apr 2008 08:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>designer frank stephensonDesignerFrankStephensonfrank stephensonFrankStephensonstephenson alfa romeoStephensonAlfaRomeoWed, 02 Apr 2008 08:03:00 EST