Frank Stephenson joins Lilium as Head of Product Design

Frank Stephenson, the designer of some of the world's most iconic cars, is joining aviation startup Lilium as Head of Product Design.

The American-Spanish designer "“ famous for his work at BMW, Mini, Ferrari, Maserati, Fiat, Alfa Romeo and McLaren "“ will lead the design of all aspects of Lilium services.

Lilium "“ founded in 2015 in Munich, Germany "“ is developing a high-speed, low-cost, zero- emissions jet that is capable of vertical take-off and landing. It will revolutionise the way people move in and around the world's cities. The Lilium Jet is built around a unique concept which sees 36 hyper-efficient individual electric jet engines embedded into the aircraft's wing flaps, enabling an effortless transition from hover mode into horizontal flight.

Stephenson, 58, will join a 100+ strong team in Munich from May, and recruit an entirely new design team to shape both the interior and exterior of the jet itself, as well as a design language for the company's wider infrastructure, including landing pads and departure lounges.

Frank Stephenson said: "My last job was as high up as you could be in the car design world. The obvious question was "“ what next? But it wasn't one I could easily answer. And then this incredible company "“ founded by four super-smart young guys "“ came along and it immediately felt like exactly the right move.

"Lilium is going to revolutionise city travel by moving journeys from the ground into the sky. The technology that they have already developed is truly mind boggling. My job "“ as we accelerate towards production and a roll-out of the service "“ is to develop a design that will make it not just an efficient service but a supremely well designed one. "Throughout my whole career I've worked hand in hand with engineers, creating vehicles that will be mechanically efficient and technically effective while also looking beautiful. I will now apply those same principles to this very latest innovation in aviation."

The Lilium Jet will travel at speed of up to 300km per hour, and a range of up to 300km on a single all-electric charge. The jet has been designed not just to be fast, but to generate efficiencies unheard of in conventional aviation. It is estimated that the aircraft will be up to 90% more efficient than its competitors, allowing the company to deliver affordable on- demand air transport-service to cities around the world.