Designer Frank Stephenson, famous for such diverse hits as the modern Mini, Fiat 500 and McLaren P1, is ready for the next stage of his high-flying career.
Lilium, a German startup with ambitions to put electric flying taxis in the air next decade, has put Stephenson in charge of all aspects of its design, including the interior and exterior of its aircraft, the service's landing pads and even its departure lounges.
Lilium is developing a lightweight aircraft powered by 36 electric jet engines mounted on its wings. It aims to travel at up to 186 mph, with a range of about 186 miles on a single charge.
Founded in 2015 by four Munich Technical University students, the Bavarian firm has set out plans to demonstrate a fully functional vertical takeoff electric jet by next year, and aims to begin online booking of commuter flights by 2025.
Stephenson's career stops include BMW, Mini, Ferrari, Maserati, Fiat, Alfa Romeo and McLaren.
The 58-year-old, who holds American and British citizenship, will seek to design a plane on the outside and a car inside.
"With Lilium, we don't have to base the jet on anything that has been done before," he told Reuters. "What's so incredibly exciting about this is we're not talking about modifying a car to take to the skies, and we are not talking about modifying a helicopter to work in a better way."