Renowned automotive designer Frank Stephenson – the creative force behind icons like the McLaren P1, modern Mini, and BMW X5 – has joined forces with Dubai-based W Motors in a groundbreaking partnership. The collaboration will see Stephenson’s UK-based frankstephenson Design studio establish a dedicated branch within W Motors’ Dubai headquarters, aiming to develop cutting-edge vehicles with “high-impact” design and engineering.
Stephenson, who led McLaren’s design team during the P1 hypercar’s development, brings his expertise to W Motors – the manufacturer behind the Approximately Rs 29 Crores Lykan HyperSport (famously featured in Furious 7) and the Fenyr SuperSport. While W Motors gained fame for its ultra-exclusive supercars, the company has since expanded into SUVs, security vehicles, and EV contract manufacturing, reflecting Dubai’s ambition to grow as an automotive hub.
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The partnership signals W Motors’ push to elevate Middle Eastern automotive innovation. “This is about more than just creating beautiful cars,” Stephenson noted. “It’s about bringing world-class design capabilities to the region.” The new Dubai studio will focus on futuristic projects, potentially including high-performance EVs and mobility solutions – areas where Stephenson has recent experience, having designed flying taxis and a space-bound vehicle for civilian use.
Since departing McLaren in 2017 after Ron Dennis’s exit, Stephenson has embraced eclectic projects. His firm recently collaborated with YouTuber Tavarish (Freddy Hernandez) to reimagine a flood-damaged McLaren P1 as a restomod with enhanced performance and radical styling. The W Motors deal continues this trend of boundary-pushing work, blending Stephenson’s signature precision with the Gulf’s appetite for automotive ambition.
While specifics remain under wraps, the alliance promises to merge W Motors’ regional influence with Stephenson’s global design ethos. Could a next-generation Lykan hypercar or a bespoke EV be in the works? Given both parties’ flair for drama, the results will likely be as visually striking as they are technologically advanced.
