Design guru Frank Stephenson leaving Alfa Romeo

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]