McLaren F1 designer signs on with Florida start-up

A small Florida company with hopes of making green performance cars has landed a big name.

Rivian Automotive said this week that it has signed on Peter Stevens--the designer of the McLaren F1--as its director of design. It hopes to bring its first car to market in 2013 and launch more in 2014.

Stevens penned the body, interior and aerodynamics for the McLaren. He's worked for General Motors, Jaguar, BMW, MG Rover and other carmakers.

He has also had a hand in the Jaguar XJR-15 Le Mans racer, Lotus's Esprit and Elan and an MG ZT-T, which hit 225.609 mph at Bonneville.

Rivian Automotive was formerly called Avera Motors but changed its name in March after being sued by Hyundai for having a similar name to that of its Azera sedan.

Rivian was founded in 2009 and is an offshoot of a Florida thermal control and energy company.

By Greg Migliore