Alejandro Mesonero-Romanos
Alejandro Mesonero-Romanos Aguilar | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1968 Madrid, Spain |
| Occupation | Automotive designer |
| Years active | 1995–present |
| Known for | Design director roles at SEAT, Renault Samsung Motors, Alfa Romeo; designs including SEAT IBL, SEAT Ateca, Renault Laguna Coupé, Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale |
Alejandro Mesonero-Romanos Aguilar (born 1968 in Madrid) is a distinguished Spanish automotive designer.
Background
Alejandro, born in Madrid in 1968, is the youngest among seven siblings and the descendant of José Luis Mesonero-Romanos Sánchez-Pol, an engineer, and Sonsoles Aguilar Barbadillo. He also traces his lineage back to the prominent 19th-century Spanish author Ramón de Mesonero Romanos (1803–1882). From childhood, he demonstrated a strong passion for automobiles.
Following his secondary education, he pursued studies at ELISAVA School of Design and Engineering in Barcelona. He subsequently gained experience working for a year at Associated Designers studio. His initial role in the automotive sector was with Carrocerías Ayats in Girona, a company known for luxury coachbuilding. Awarded a scholarship by the UK government, he completed a master's degree in Automotive Design at the Royal College of Art in London.
Career
Mesonero-Romanos began his professional journey in 1995 by joining SEAT’s Design department located in Martorell amid the company’s modernization efforts. His contribution to the SEAT Bolero concept caught the attention of Volkswagen Group, which led to his recruitment at their Design Center Europe in Sitges in 1996. There, he worked on exterior styling for various models under SEAT, Volkswagen, and Audi brands.
In 2001, he transitioned to Renault’s Paris design team, where he managed projects such as the Laguna Coupé and rose to become Advanced Design director by 2007. Between 2009 and 2011, he served as design director at Renault Samsung Motors in South Korea, overseeing the development of the second-generation SM7 luxury sedan.
Walter de Silva invited him back to SEAT as Design director in 2011, succeeding Luc Donckerwolke. His initial significant assignment involved finalizing the SEAT IBL concept for the Frankfurt Motor Show, which influenced the styling of SEAT’s subsequent saloon model replacing the Exeo. He also spearheaded design efforts for SEAT’s inaugural SUV, the Ateca.
In July 2020, Mesonero-Romanos returned to Renault Group under EVP Laurens van den Acker’s leadership. After leading design initiatives at Dacia, he departed Renault in April 2021 to assume the role of Head of Design for Alfa Romeo within Stellantis.
Designs
- Renault Laguna Coupé (2008)
- Renault Samsung SM5 Mk3 (2010)
- Renault Samsung SM7 Mk2 (2011)
- SEAT IBL (2011)
- SEAT León Mk3 (2012)
- SEAT 20V20 (2015)
- SEAT Ateca (2016)
- SEAT Ibiza Mk5 (2017)
- SEAT Arona (2017)
- SEAT Tarraco (2018)
- SEAT Minimó (2019)
- Cupra Born (2019)
- Cupra Formentor (2019)
- Cupra Tavascan (2019)
- SEAT e-Scooter (2019)
- SEAT León Mk4 (2020)
- Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale (2023)
- Alfa Romeo Junior (2024)
Awards
- German Design Council Automotive Brand Contest – Best Concept Car of the Year 2015 (SEAT 20V20)
- Red Dot Award for Best Product Design Quality 2017 (SEAT Ibiza)
- Automotive News Europe Eurostars Design Award 2018
- Red Dot Award for Best Product Design Quality 2018 (SEAT Arona)