Date posted: 06-13-2007

TURIN, Italy — Frank Stephenson, 47, the Casablanca-born American designer who penned the design of the Maserati MC12 and Ferrari F430, has been appointed as the new Alfa Romeo style chief. Credited with embracing a sharp and modern design philosophy, Stephenson is expected to turn his attention to such major design projects as the Alfa 149, the Fiat Grande Punto-based "Junior," a new flagship sedan christened Alfa 169 and an upcoming crossover vehicle.

He fills a position that had been unoccupied since Wolfgang Egger left to become head of Audi's Style Center. Stephenson, who graduated from the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California, is widely viewed as one of the powerhouse minds in the global automotive design community. He was appointed director of Ferrari-Maserati Concept Design and Development in 2002. His duties there included overseeing the introduction of the Maserati Quattroporte and the Ferrari 612 Scaglietti. He also spent 11 years working as a senior designer at BMW, where he developed the X5 and won kudos for creating the new Mini in 2001.

Prior to his new post, Stephenson was the head of the Fiat, Lancia and Light Commercial Vehicles Style Center. During his tenure at Fiat, Stephenson oversaw the creation of the remake of the historic Cinquecento and the Lancia Delta HPE concept and headed the development of the Fiat Punto and Bravo models.

What this means to you: With Stephenson at the design helm, Alfa Romeo may be entering its most creative period in decades.